SUS 2011 - Lots of bronze!

President Sam and Ents Calum  with their bronze medals at SUS 2011

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24th September (spot on Calum)

 - just a quiet night in Stirling!

Contrary to our historical (and legendary) 1st pub crawls of old through Bridge of Allan, this year is going to follow the more recent tradition of crawling through Stirling. This is no reflection on the lack of pubs in BofA these days, but a chance to visit our favourite haunts in Stirling (except for Whistlebinkies which is probably still closed! )

For those new members not familiar with the City centre and those living on Campus, we'll be meeting at the Studio bar for 7pm with a view to heading into Stirling for 8pm. For those of you living in town, first port of call will probably be Morrisons Cold Beer Company or that Aussie place at the other end of town. Check out Facebook for more details, or talk to Calum or one of the committee.

With two new members entering the competition mindset, the medals just keep coming. Joe and Calum took part in their first competition with a 50% success rate. Calum managed to overcome the stigma of Tenshinkan v the rest of the shotokan world to take a bronze in intermediate kata. He also got his first bronze in kumite. Joe lucked out by not placing - better luck next time!

Sam also had a taste of something new with his first foray into Senior kata. A great achievement, coming away with bronze in this highly competitive arena.

Well done guys!

Roll call:

Sam Parsons - bronze; senior kata

Calum Clarke-Brown - bronze; intermediate kumite & kata

Continuing our current run on medals, we came back with 3 at intermediate level from the 2010 event, held in Edinburgh University's Pleasance Gym. Putting up a brave effort against exhaustion and illness, Adam secured a bronze! Sam was slightly more successful and was awareded Gold in both kumite and Kata.

Well done guys!

Roll call:

Sam Parsons - gold; intermediate kata & kumite

Adam Pritchared - bronze; intermediate kumite

This Semesters grading has been provisionally scheduled for Friday 4th December at 7pm in the Gannochy Studio. If you're grading for the first time, you'll need 2 passport photos along with your affiliation and grading fees (should be £20 affiliation and either £15 or £20 for the grading, but Sensei Niall will confirm nearer the time). Those of you who need to re-affiliate (you should know who you are) will just need the money.

17th October(better late than never)

 - just a quiet night in Dunblane/Stirling!

Now that almost everyone's over the dreaded Fresher's Flu, it was spontaneously decided to resurrect the pub crawl. Plan is to meet at the Railway Station for 7:30, get the first train to Dunblane, hit a few pubs then get the last train back to Stirling. Anyone left standing by this point will struggle through a few pubs in Stirling - the one in the old Post Office for starters :-)

16th September - Gannochy Sports Hall

Not a bad turnout from the current members - even Myland made it eventually. Thanks to everyone for turning up, even those who fell asleep later (you know who you are). Thanks also to everyone who showed some interest in the club - hope to see you at training on Tuesday - if you can't make it to the 'Meet the Members' night in the MacRoberts Bar (see below).

As a follow-up to Club President Adam's success at last year's SUS 2008 we sent a 5-man team to SUS 2009. The result? 4 (count them 4) medals including a silver and 3 bronze. All of this without the support of Sensei Niall and Sempai Lex (who had prior appointments at the Sensei's wedding to former club member Lindsay). Well done lads, congratulations Niall & Lindsay!

Roll call:

Chris Myland - silver; novice kumite

Adam Pritchared - bronze; intermediate kumite

Sam Parsons - bronze; intermediate kata & kumite

Commiserations to Rory and Iain, better luck next time guys!

The Spring grading went ahead as planned on Friday 8th May, with all participating achieving the grade they were aiming for. Well done to everyone. For the Roll of Honour click here

Following their first taste of competition (watching Rachel last year) Rory and Adam decided to give it a go. In a spectacular first event, Adam took silver in Novice Kumite. Rory unfortunately was defeated by a rather large chap from Glasgow Cally.

Pictured here are Vice-President Iain, President Adam and Secretary Rory posing with Adam's first medal

Well, even though James (last year's President) didn't make it to SUSF 2007, we nevertheless had a presence. Pictured below is Exchange student Rachel Pallis, who was with us for the Spring Semester and was keen to try competition in the UK. Surrounding Rachel is her 'fan club' consisting of most of her American friends, plus club members Adam and Rory - that's them on the left! (both of whom should be competing in SUSF 2008 and also take up committee posts for the coming Academic Year).

Rachel, who is used to American competition, found the UK to be just a little different. She accepted the challenge and performed admirably. Overall, the competition was enjoyed by all who attended.