Archived News - September/October 2009

15th October 2009

Mr Rawlins's Birthday Party

GM Ernesto G. Presas Jr Arnis Seminar

This seminar scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Good Luck to Jess and Sinead at the World Champs

Good luck to Sinead Smyth and Jessica Jordan, two of our members that will be competiting in the WTF Senior World Taekwondo Championships in Copenhagen (Denmark) on the 14th-18th October.

Both girls earnt their spot in the Australian team after successfully winning the Selection Trials in Canberra. Our academy was very unlucky not to have 5 members in the Australian team with the other 3 members narrowly missing out by winning silver at these trials.

Even thought they are representing Australia at this elite level, they were not fully funded by the AOC or their National body. It was up to the girl to come up with the rest of the money by themselves to represent their country (a very sad case) so our Academy put their hands together and helped fund the girls.

We wish them both the best of luck and know they will do themselves, our Academy and Australia proud, and we will anxiously wait for their results.

(Our two World Championships representative Sinead & Jess)

Mr Rawlins at age 50!

Well it was the big boss's 50th birthday on Saturday the 27th September and what a party it was with 200 friends and family who turned up to help him celebrate his big 5-0.

(The big cake and the old man (master) trying to blow out the candles )

There was plenty of food, drinks, laughters and many good stories told on the night as friends and families shared in celebrating Mr. Rawlins 50th, It is hard to believe but, yes, Mr Rawlins has reached the big 5-0 milestone.

(Plenty of food & drinks)

(Bradley & Andre, Mr Rawlins first 2 black belts keep the crowd in laughters as they told us a few stories of his past)

It was followed by Dennis & Aiden who told us what a wonderful father he is and also on how hard it is being his sons (as they said tough love) but as all his black belts know that he has been a hard task master to many of us but we love him.

Mr. Sims then follow with a speech that was very emotional and had some of us holding back the tears, it told everyone there what this man (Mr. Rawlins) meant to us all.

After the tears were dried, we presented Mr. Rawlins with some of his presents which included a super doper fancy camera, which we are sure once he figures out how to use it, he will be clicking away at future tournaments and functions. So be prepared.

The black belts and their families also bought him a 52 inch plasma TV which he was very happy with along with a walking stick. He wasn't happy with that.

The senior black belts also presented him with a framed picture of his past with some very heart felt and meaningful words engraved on it. The Boss was touch and said that it was going straight into the pool room.

We all then drank, sang and danced the night away.

Enoy the rest of the photos.

(Mr Rawlins and his mum)

(Allan and his dad)

(The boss and some of his boys)

(Some of the youngsters)

14th September 2009

Well Done Rudy!

Congratulations to Rudy Sheth on achieving and passing his black belt 2 years ago. Rudy has been away studying in Tasmania for his double doctor degree and was presented with his certificate on his return visit to Perth. We are all waiting for Rudy to graduate and return to us.

6th September 2009

Promising Fighters At Rawlins Novice Challenge

Two happy novice fighters after our Rawlins Novice Championship.

Saturday 29th August saw 92 plus novice fighters from some of our clubs come together in friendly competition to compete in and gain some experience. For many of the fighters, it was their first taekwondo sparring competition.

It was a very relax event as many of the competitors have never fought in a competition before and they needed as much encouragement and support that they could get as many had no idea on what to do or expect. Our referees were fantastic in helping the fighters understand and work to the rules as well as our black belts who coached the nervous fighters.

(Fighters awaiting there turn to get out on the ring)

We ran the competition on 1 matted ring with the new rules and full electronic system. Mr. Rawlins and the club instructors wanted to see each student performance and to also see what they can do to improve. The crowd was great as they cheered and encourage every fighter to do their best which helped in relaxing the competitors

(Fighters receiving encouragement awards)

As the day went on and the matches progressed everyone started to relax and some excellent fights were noted. We had competitors from yellow belts to red belts from 6 years old to veterans competing. All that attended had a great time and some are now of the novices are looking forward to their next open competition.

(A couple of our veteran fighters)

(A couple of youngsters)

(Some of the medalists)

During the day, awards were given out for encouragement and good sportsmanship as well as best male and female fighter. Many thanks to all who helped from the canteen staff to the ladies selling club merchandise, to all the coaches, referees and black belts who helped in making this an eventful day. The specatators were especially please as we did not charge an admittance fee.

At the end of the day the Rockingham club walked away with most of the medals. Well done to all the fighters and we hope you to see you in future competitions.

(Rockingham members)

(World Championships representive Sinead Smyth with female best fighter Lorraine Rosson)