Hello all Instructors and AHA members,

Once again it's almost time for the annual AHA Interclub Challenge! The Interclub Challenge will be held on Sunday 13 August from 8am to approximately 4.30pm.

PERSONS WISHING TO ENTER THE INTERCLUB CHALLENGE MUST BE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE AHA.

IMPORTANT!!: The Challenge will be held at the Niagara Park Sports Stadium at 18 Washington Avenue, Niagara Park (on the NSW Central Coast).  The drive time from Sydney is approx. 1.25 hours - exiting the expressway at the Gosford exit. More information will provided once each participant registers for the event.

Please do not be concerned about it being too competitive or about getting injured. In the 25+ years that I have been involved with our Hapkido tournaments I can only recall one injury that required hospital treatment. First aid at our tournaments usually involves nothing more than applying a few bandaids and a couple of ice packs (and those mostly to minor bruises and strains). Our tournaments, and the many open tournaments Ron and I have attended with our students are nothing like what you might have seen in some martial arts movies (e.g. The Karate Kid movies) – no light up signboards with competitors’ names and/or photos, no screaming crowds – just families and friends who attend – and NO vicious contact or ‘grudge’ matches. Our tournaments are friendly and not much different to the training and sparring you do in your own dojangs.

Prizes are awarded for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place in each event plus you get a point for each event you enter - just for competing. All points go towards your club's total and the club with the most points at the end of the day wins the club trophy. So why not give it a go?

The tournament offers competitors four events:

Sparring: Open to those Yellow Belt up to 3rd dan Black Belt. This is broken up ito four divisions:

• Novice - Yellow Belt and Green Tip
• Intermediate - Green Belt to Blue Belt
• Senior Belt - Red Tip to Black Tip
• Black Belt - 1st to 3rd Dan

Each division is further divided into male and female subdivisions. Further subdivisions to be determined by competitor numbers and specifics.

Patterns/Drills: Open to those Yellow Belt up to 3rd dan Black Belt. Competitors must do the pattern or drill from their previous belt level.

Self Defence routines: Open to those Yellow Belt up to 3rd dan Black Belt. If you wish to compete in the Self Defence routines event please provide the names of your self defence team mate/s in the space provided in the registration screen. Note: teams must consist of either 2 or 3 persons, no more. Each competitor should be in one (1) self defence team only.

Breakfalling: A Flying Cat Roll competition will be open to those Green Belt and up in Junior, Senior and Black Belt Divisions and gender subdivisions.

Further information about these events will be sent out in the coming days.

Please see the Challenge rules - the full version and a set of condensed essentials (which will soon be posted on the AHA website) for further information.

PAYMENT:

There is a single entry fee of 30 dollars and competitors can compete in as many divisions as they qualify for. Competitors must register and pay no later than COB Friday 4 August. Note: to help students in outlying areas the AHA will not charge an entry fee for competitors from outside the Sydney/Newcastle area.

You may pay your tournament registration fee here and now as part of this AHA/Revsport registration process OR you may pay later ( but no later than Monday 7 August) - see payment options below*.

*PAYMENT OPTIONS

1.   Internet Banking – Payments can be made to the Australian Hapkido Association:

BSB: 062190

Account Number: 10101231

2.   Direct Deposit - Deposits can be made to the Australian Hapkido Association at any Commonwealth Bank:

BSB: 062190

Account Number: 10101231

If you have any questions please contact Melissa Rees by email at this address or by phoning or texting 0411 718 556.

Thank you for your participation and enthusiasm.