How to join / FAQ

Age

When to start  Currently we restrict the minimum age to 8 years. This may change from time to time (by a higher age limit) since we want to maintain a diverse age group at our club. We especially encourage members from 10+ years to join since it is the perfect age to start Karate. For younger than 10 years, please remember that due to the techniques and skill requirements, it may take a bit longer for you (or your child) to become familiar with all syllabus and technique requirements for grading.  

Previous Belt Recognition

At our dojo, all participants in grading are expected to show understanding and master all foreseen techniques with high standards in order to pass. Black belts gradings are only conducted if we are 100% sure during our screenings that the candidate fully complies with our standards. Black belts from other dojos/organizations are assessed on a case by case basis.

Joining from different Karate (and other martial arts) styles If you have been practicing Shotokan Karate, we will assess your skills in order to confirm if they meet our standards level and will give you starting kyu grade.  All non-Shotokan participants will begin with white belts. However, based on your previous experience and skill level, you may progress faster.

How long it takes to obtain a black belt

In principle, Shodan (first-degree black belt) is just the beginning. You now possess the skills necessary to start more seriously your karate journey. There is no general answer to this. It all depends on your engagement, how often you come to training, your attitude, character and personal physical and psychological strength. Some students never reach this level, and some achieve it after some years. In general, the more often you train higher the chance for you to achieve the black belt level. Also, on your Karate journey, you will meet many challenges and often will consider to quit; this is also part of the learning, so it is vital to train hard and do not give up. There is no short-cut to black belt and you will need to go through all stages of training and preparation and take it seriously.  

Training times

Training days and times are given below:

We receive many questions on joining about "how can I be(come) a good fighter and develop fighting skills". So the answer to this is "Practice makes the master", or you can not develop fighting skills if you do not practice fighting. Also the key is in being dedicated, giving full attention at trainings and maximal effort and concentration.  

Location  

Our dojo is located at Marsden Park Neighbourhood Centre.  

Free trial class

Before enrolling, we encourage prospective members to come for a free trial to familiarize themselves with our training and dojo atmosphere and get an insight into how it is to train Karate. For trial classes we accept only on Mondays or Thursdays first group white and yellow belts (blue row in the table above). So if you want to come for trial class you may come either Monday 8:00-9:00PM or Thursday 5:00-6:00PM. Free trial is also an opportunity for the Sensei to become familiar with you and also assess how well will you fit in the class.  For free trial you need to obtain from Sensei and sign the informed consent form. It informs you about all possible risks of Karate training and also makes you aware that you (your child) have to follow the instructor's directions and behave in respectful and appropriate manner at the training. Trial is only possible with signing this form. For underage students the parent must also sign as given in the form.  

Karate is developed and tailored for everyone, and if you invest effort and regularly come to training after some time, you will definitely notice progress.  In principle, the key to success is being regular in training and using your time effectively while training to develop your karate skills as much as you can. You will be surprised after some time with the progress provided you train regularly and give max effort on training  

Enrolling and fees  

After your free trial, if you decide to join, you will have a chat with Sensei and will need to submit a few forms.  The first form is Marsden Park dojo joining form and Medical Clearance form. You will also need to submit 2 recent photographs. All forms may be obtained from Sensei or club administrator.   Monthly Club Membership: Current membership rate is 100$ per month. On joining we charge 60$ administrative cost. 

So, the enrollment consists of the following:  

• Go for free trial: sign the informed consent form. Parent must sign the form for underage child before free trial. 
• Obtain Marsden Park dojo joining form (Including Medical clearance form) from Sensei or club administrator. Sign and submit to Sensei the Marsden Park dojo joining form (including Medical Clearance) and include/attach 2 recent photos.
• Arrange for club membership DD payment with Sensei (may need to fill another form)
• Obtain a free uniform, membership book and uniform club patch after submitting everything. Come, train and enjoy. 

Frequently Asked Questions  

I am going to holiday for few months, do I need still to pay the monthly club membership fee?  

Yes, your monthly membership is not connected to your training but it is club membership, so even if you do not come physically to train you need to pay your monthly club membership.  

I will not be training for few weeks do I still need to pay my membership?  

Yes, you still need to pay your monthly club membership since it is not connected to training but it is club membership.  

I want to stop/cancel my membership   

Membership cancellation notice is one calendar month. Please make sure you inform the Sensei or club administrator well in advance. To cancel/stop your club membership and DD payments you need to fill out and submit signed our Membership Cancellation form. You may download the form at the end of this page. For family members you need to submit membership cancellation form for each member.

I have cancelled my membership, now I want to re-join

You are welcome to re-join any time based on space availability. However, if you join within one year from cancelling your membership you need to pay membership fee for all months since cancellation. This may be waived on a case by case basis.

Am I allowed to wear my jewlery on training?

Any kind of jewlery, especially watches is not allowed on training due to injury hazard. Please remove all your jewlery before training starts

What is the upper age to start Karate?

There is no upper age limitation. Your training pace will be tailored to your age by Sensei. Howeve, lower age limit is 8 and may be changed as time goes based on current members. Please discuss this with Sensei

How often is the grading?

Only current club members are allowed to grade. Up to brown belt you are required to have at least 36 hours of training before you can come for grading. So, lets say you come once per week this makes around 9 months of training before being allowed to grade. If you come 2 times per week then it is 4.5 months. For brown belts (3 kyu and above) training time is doubleld, meaning, you need 72 hours of training before next grading. Sensei assesses every student for Kihon (black tip) Kata (red tip) and Kumite (yellow tip) once you have all hours and all 3 tips (3 tips can not be given if not enought hours trained, sensei will check this before third tip) means you fulfill the requirement to come to grading. In general we have 2-3 gradings per year. Grading syllabus may be obtained from Sensei. You must present your membership book at the grading. No grading will be performed without membership book. Also in order to attend grading you must have your Marsden Park Shotokan Karate patch sewn on your uniform. This is also a prerequisite for any grading. 

What is double grading

Double grading, as the word says is being graded for 2 kyus at once. For example you are 10th kyu (white belt) and you are graded to 8 kyu (yellow belt) in one grading. Double grading is allowed only in exceptional circumstances if the student shows extraordinary skills and character. Double grading is allowed only until Purple belt 5 Kyu in exceptional curcomstances.

What is provisional grading?

When you go to grading and during grading you do not show 100% syllabus understanding and performance at one or more of the Syllabus points, Sensei may give you provisional grade in form of green tip applied to  your current belt. Example you have yellow belt (8 kyu) and go to grading and obtain green tip to your yellow belt. Sensei may remove the tip from your yellow belt after some time or at the next grading when you master those points and give you orange belt (7 kyu). No fees are associated with removeal or Provisional belt.

Grading  fees

For each grading a grading fee is charged. Contact Sensei for current grading fee. It includes the grading itself, a new belt (if one is required) and a certificate.

Where can I obtain Karate uniform?

On joining after you submit all the forms to Sensei you will be provided with a free Karate uniform and white belt.

Still questions? if yes, give Sensei a buzz on 0411 495 606 or if you prefer to write  arsovk@yahoo.com