When we opened the Essex Road Dojang in January 2007, it was an exciting move that has meant the club has benefited from a permanent fully matted and equipped venue.  However over the last three years, the number of students training has grown by 30% and we have now outgrown Essex Road.  Importantly, the change that we started in January 2009 to everyone paying fees by monthly standing order has helped ensure that the club has a consistent cash flow. So over the last year, we have been searching for a new and larger venue.  Despite the initial disappointment with our planning application on Unit 4, Coronation Road, the club has been continuing to look for a new venue that will allow us to continue to grow and expand.   Following reviews of many options, we are now pleased to say that we have identified a new venue.

The club has negotiated an outline agreement and now obtained change of use planning consent on Unit 3A, Vickers Business Centre.   This unit will provide 75% more training area than Essex Road giving a matted area of greater than 180 sq metres, male and female toilets and a dedicated reception / waiting area - and also has a much higher ceiling.   The site has plentiful parking and being only 5 minutes walk from Basingstoke Hospital is on regular bus services from; Basingstoke Town Centre, Brighton Hill, Hatch Warren, Popley, Oakridge, Oakley, Tadley, Baughurst and others.

Now that planning consent has been approved, the club will be working with Vickers Business Centre to complete the refurbishment of the unit and finalise the details of the lease.  We will also be starting the detail planning to move from Essex Road to our new facility, which we can hopefully complete during the October.    Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you can help with the move - there is lots of work needed to put the finishing touch to Unit 3A, clear up Essex Road, and move all the kit between the two venues.

The proposed layout is shown below

As you can see from the photo below, work has already started on clearing and tidying the unit.  

 Last Updated.  20th August 2010. 

Over the extended weekend of the 30th June - 4th July, the club participated in the annual Festival of Sport competition between Basingstoke and Euskirchen.   This year was our 10th year of participation.

This year we took 15 club members out to Germany.   Leaving on the Wednesday night travelling to arrive in Euskirchen for breakfast, we the spent the day in Phantasisland chilling out before returning to meet up with our host families.

Friday was competition day, on what was the hottest day of the year with temperatures touching 38C.  Despite this the players from both teams committed their all - played in an excellent spirit.  This year, we were pleased to come out on top in both poomsae and sparring.  The full results are at the end of this article.    After the competition we spent the evening at a Western themed BBQ!

Saturday was the day for socialising.  The clubs went out to Movie Park, Germany for a lot of fun!  This was followed by the drive back to Euskirchen and the end of the Germany - Argentina world cup match - and the start of amazing celebrations!   The day finished with the formal last night party, followed by a birthday party for one of our German friends.

Sunday arrived too early and was time for the long drive home!

We are currently collecting in photos from the event.   Some of these will be in the next newsletter and look out for more in the photo gallery in the coming weeks.

Next year will our turn to host and to run as good an event as our friends from Euskirchen did this year!

Results - Poomsae

Results - Sparring

Congratulations to the successful candidates at the kup grading on the 13th June.   There were many good performances and a stronger spirit throughout.  Special recognition to Michael Darmody who was double promoted to yellow belt and to the students who achieved Credit passes; Eimee Brown, Liam Griffiths and Amy Stock.   The next kup grading will be on Sunday 12th September.

The promotions acheived were;

Sian Reilly promoted to 1st Dan Black Belt

 

On Sunday June 6th, Sian successfully passed her 1st dan grading following 8 years of committed training.  

 

The grading tested all aspects of Taekwondo including poomsae, sparring, one-step and self-defence and was conducted by Grandmaster Lindsay Lawrence, 7th Dan, Grandmaster Mark Biddlecombe, 7th Dan, Master Michael King, 6th Dan and Master Graham Jones, 6th Dan.  Sian is pictured with Master King, Technical Director Taekwondo Chungdokwan GB,  alongside her long term friend Jazzy Bailey from Powerhouse Taekwondo who was also promoted.

 

Starting as a 4 year old at the Overton class in 2002, Sian has been a committed student now training 3-4 times a week and regularly competing for the club as a poomsae competitor, including her recent silver medal at the Southern Championships.   This promotion is great recognition of her commitment and dedication to our martial arts and to the club.

 

The next Dan Grading will be on Sunday 5th December in Southampton.  With a significant number of 1st Kups/Black Tags in the club, we look forward to a number of people joining Sian as a new black belt in 2010.