This success must be partly part down to the product we are offering and the way it is presented and followed through.

The classes are now located as follows:-

Unfortunately many people do not travel to further their aikido by experiencing different teaching style within the Aikikai. Indeed some students do not attend courses; you need two courses between gradings per our syllabus. Courses and the experience of different emphasis are vital to the development of ones own aiki.

To cater efficiently with this expansion certain job areas have been reallocated. Mike Lloyd the instructor at St Helens is now Membership Secretary dealing with Aikikai membership and BAB registration certificates. Hence the renewal notices are now in a different format. Keith Downs has taken on recording centrally all Aikikai grading results and course attendances. I retain the General Secretary role acting as the External Liaison contact.

Bob Spence and myself continue to represent the Aikikai at Board meetings and hold their Coach Tutor and Coaching Liaison Officer posts respectively.

British Aikido Board's business has now moved on from a substantial overhaul of its constitution to working on a four year development plan for the Board's own use and for grant aid from the Sports Council.

The Coaching development scheme to which all your instructors hold an award continues to establish itself. Exemption for the Senior Coach course weekend for instructors with 15 years plus of teaching can be available. The Senior Coach Award consists of NCF course options, a weekend course and a practical assessment session. (Contact me for further details). Progression to Assistant Coach and Coach Awards depends on holding the Aikikai's own teaching certificates at various levels.

Andrew Baird

Copyright 1993 Lancashire Aikikai