January News 2010

LKK Awards Evening 2009

Links Karate Kai held its End Of Year Awards and Christmas Party on the 12th December at Gt Holland Village Hall. This event is always very popular and a chance to celebrate the dedication and commitment that has been put in over the last year. With over 150 parents, students and friends of LKK the hall was packed and had a great atmosphere.

The first awards of the night went to the winners of the Christmas Colouring Competition. This was the first year this had been added and will continue to be part of the end of year awards as it proved to be so popular. The winners were; 7yrs and under was Angel Tiger, 10yrs and under Lincon Pretlove, 14yrs and under Jay Lloyd and 15yrs and above Ciara Duffy.
	Next were the awards of flowers and chocolates for the LKK club helpers and lesson helpers, for all their hard work they have put in over the year, went to Sam Day, Steve Naylor, Jasmin Lancaster, Alix Harris, Mel Hobbs, Emily Griffiths, Loren Cook, Mitchell Williams, Sarah Day and Mathew Appleby.
The LKK Squad had a fantastic year with Sensei Chris Harris continuing his England career, Chris has continually been part of the England Squad from the age of 15yrs which is a major achievement. We have also had Emily Griffiths receive her first call up to the England Squad this year for the European Championships back in May 2009. The Squad has won British, English and Welsh titles this year and has an array of talent in its ranks and we are hoping for a great 2010.
Club Achievement Awards 2009
These awards are voted on by the Black Belts of LKK and awarded for student successes in their Karate classes and this year went to: Daniel Szabo, Ethan Day, Laurence Gill, Emily Appleby and Rhian Duffy.
	Tiger of the Year 2009
	Tiger Of The Year went to Teri-Louise Stephenson. She has been part of the Tiger class for the last two years and shown real dedication and commitment to her training. Best Tiger New Comer went to Alister Wainford.
Best Newcomer 2009
The Best Newcomer of 2009 went to Ciara Duffy who trains at the Gt Holland venue. She has shown a real talent in the earlier part of her training and hopefully this is going to continue.
	Most Improved 2009
	Most improved went to Steve Naylor, Steve has had a great year and really gained confidence in his karate after gaining his black belt earlier this year.
Competitors Of The Year 2009
Loren Cook and Mitchell Williams gained the much sort after Kumite Female and Male Competitors Of The Year 2009, these awards are gained by accumulating points. Tom Raymer secured Best Kata Competitor Of 2009. Emily Appleby was awarded her Squad Gold Badge, this is the first Gold Badge to be awarded in the LKK Squad in the last two years.
	Sensei Student 2009
	Sensei Student of 2009 went to Loren Cook, Loren has been a very important part of the LKK team and shown real commitment to the club and well deserves this award. She also picked up the Student Student’s award which is voted on by the students of all LKK venues.
Dan Grade Award
Steve Naylor achieved his Dan grade on the 21st February after many years of commitment to his Karate path, Steve has always been a very dedicated student and this award is well deserved. The Dan grading panel consisted of EKKA Chief Instructor Billy Brennan, LKK Chief Instructor Paul Harris and Sensei Chris Harris.
	Student Of The Year 2009
	Student Of The Year 2009 went to Sam Day, Sam over 2009 has been an outstanding student, he has trained hard in his class lessons and also in his Squad duties. Sam has shown a real improvement in his Karate and in his attitude to his Karate. He has always been willing to help when asked and been a pleasure to teach through out 2009 and is a well deserved winner of the Links Karate Kai Student Of The Year 2009.

Best of the Grade

Links Karate Kai only gives out the award Grade of the Grade when one of the students at the grading is exceptional for their grade. This award has not been given out for some time.

On this occasion Zak Coates stormed his way through his 5th Kyu grading in style. Showing the grading panel he really deserved his grade performing at the highest level for his grade.

New Referee for LKK

Loren Cook passed her EKKA Association Referees exam in January 2010. She was presented with her Association referees badge and tie by her Chief Instructor Paul Harris. She will now join the other EKKA and LKK referees at competitions giving LKK a larger presence on the mats. This is an achievement for her and the club, well done to Loren.