Club News

24th July 2010: Opening date revealed!
Today Mick Benfell Hanshi is proud to announce that the new Ruykyu association honbu, "Gyo Gyo Karate Jutsu Kai Dojo" will be open for training from the 3rd August 2010. An official opening event will be announced some time later (watch this space). Training will be Monday to Fridays 6.30pm to 7.15pm for Juniors and 7.30pm to 9pm for Seniors. An exact training programme will be released soon and is expected to include a variety of different styles and focus. Weekends will be reserved for special short courses and for private lessons.

27th June 2010: Congratulations John and Stocker!
John Rowland-Jones Sensei and Steve Stocker Sensei are now awarded the sho-go title of Renshi in recognition of their massive contibution to the "Gyo Gyo Karate Jutsu Kai Dojo" and the Ryukyu Association, as well as their achievements in Karate Jutsu. Well done!

25th April 2010: Home of our own at last!
We are proud to announce that we now have our own honbu at long last (home dojo for the Ryukyu Association). With the precise opening date yet to be announced, dojo members are putting the finishing touches to the building with what's left of their blood and sweat! When complete, there will be more regular training 5 days a week, special weekend training, Association Gradings and more. The dojo will provide about 62 square meters of mat, makiwara, kick bags, a wooden man and various other equipment and facilities. This is a great opportunity for the club and the Association. The Ryukyu Association Honbu will be called the "Gyo Gyo Karate Jutsu Kai - Dojo Nuneaton". We look forward to welcoming our friends from the Association and future guests soon.

18th March 2008: Ryukyu training weekend on 15th-16th March - Great turn out
This years course was the best attended for the last two years of the association. The turn out of 5th and 6th Dans was great, as was that of the students. Instructors for the course were: M.J.Benfell Hanshi 9th Dan; M.Kemp Si-Gung 9th Level; N.Wall Shihan 8th Dan: G.Stringer Shihan 7th Dan. Assistant instructors: S.Todd 6th Dan; D.Oram 5th Dan. Thank you all for the hard work and high standard of training, thanks to all for attending.

31st May 2007: Tragic loss of Tom Baldwin Soke
It is with deep regret that we must announce the death of Tom Baldwin Soke, Chairman of the World and British Federation of Martial Arts. He passed away in the early hours of this morning following serious illness. He will be sorely missed by all his friends and family. We respectfully remember his enormous contribution to the Martial Arts, particularly through the W.B.F.O.M.A. which will also be sadly missed. But our deepest sympathies now are with his family.

18th May 2007: Out with the old and in with the new
The final training session at Camp Hill Drive is now over and the Ryukyu School of Martial Arts looks forward to moving into its new home at the New Community Centre on Cedar Road (see "Contact" or "About us" for full details). There will be more room, a sprung floor and air conditioning. As well as being a smart and modern development it will be in the heart of a bustling community centre. A photo will be posted soon.

11th April 2007: New club venue now ready
Alas the club venue's days are numbered now as we're all set to move into the newly built "New Community Centre", Cedar Road, Camp Hill. This grand new development should not only provide excellent new facilities that will benefit our club, but will also be a great resource for the whole community. We are due to move in by May and full details will be added to this site shortly, in the meantime please don't hesitate to contact us for more information.

5th March 2007:Ryukyu training weekend on 3rd-4th March "Best yet!"
This years weekend at Nuneaton was not only very well attended from all corners of the UK, but was well enjoyed as well. The mats were full to capacity both days and we've received more positive feedback than ever! Many thanks to all the instructors and all who attended and made it such a brilliant day. We look forward to welcoming you all again next time!

1st September 2006: Gradings completed!
The grading was taken over two days and was hard work. Well done to all that passed and better luck next time to those who did not. Following are the students that passed and their new grades: David Atkins (Godan 5th Dan Shihan); John Rowland-Jones (Nidan 2nd Dan); Stephen Stocker (Nidan 2nd Dan); Danielle Mount (Nidan 2nd Dan); Garry Hart (1st Kyu Brown belt); Richard Lloyd (3rd Kyu Green belt); Lez Randall (4th Kyu Orange belt). Junior grades: Ben Storer (Jnr Black belt); Kim Everitt (Jnr Black belt); Rebekah Storer (Jnr 1st Kyu Brown belt). Congratulations everyone!

1st July 2006 : Next grading dates are set for Thurs 24th August and Thurs 31st August
If you have any questions please contact Hanshi Benfell. Gradings will be during normal training times. Train hard and good luck everyone!

15th May 2006: WBFOMA Course on 13th-14th May
The anual event at Skegness was as usual well received and well attended. Mr Benfell gave his class training in Bokken, Jo and Ju-Jitsu instead of his normal Karate, which went down very well. Whilst other instructors gave their usual high standard of teaching in their various styles.

10th May 2006: Woolacombe trip on 29th April to 5th May enjoyed by all
The anual weekend (or week for those who made a meal of it) at Woolacombe was another huge success. Everyone from our club who attended returned enfused by the techniques learned and quality of training. However, judging by the sun tans and reports on the quality of the surf there was a lot more than training going on.

6th Mar 2006: Ryukyu training weekend on 4th-5th March was another success
This years weekend at Nuneaton was again enjoyed by all who attended. Despite being not so well attended as previous years, due to severe weather warnings effecting those from further away, the majority attending were higher Dan grades who got the full attention from the guest instructors. The mats payed for from our recent grant arrived in time for the weekend and were enough to fully cover the whole dojo!

12th Jan 2006: Club plans new year social trip
Suggestions include a visit to the Tamworth Snow Dome. Please bring any other suggestions with you to training.

29th Dec 2005: Club wins grant for mats - loads of them!
Hanshi Benfell was pleased to announce, during a social meeting of the club today, that we have won a grant from "Awards For All" to kit the dojo out with mats. Details will follow shortly. So it looks like those grappling and throwing techniques might be taken all the way from now on! Please click on the logo below to find out more about the scheme.