Events

Our association, SKIA, is extremely active in providing numerous additional training opportunities throughout the year. Students, as well as instructors, are encouraged to take advantage of these invaluable opportunities and to attend as many events as is reasonably possible to advance their personal karate development. When possible, we will try to facilitate carpools so that more students can participate. Special recognition will be given to all students who make an effort to attend these events each year.

1. Shotokan Week: The most important event run by SKIA is our annual Shotokan Week. Typically held in October (school break) each year, Shotokan Week includes our 1-day instructors’ course, 3-day National seminar, black belt gradings and National Championships. It is held in a different location within Australia each year, including in Sydney (2022), via Zoom (2021 & 2020), Yeppoon (2019), Sunshine Coast (2018), Sydney (2017), Melbourne (2016) and various other locations. Each year two Japanese instructors from SKIF headquarters in Tokyo are typically flown in to conduct the seminars and black belt gradings. In 2022, these special instructors will include Manabu Murakami Shihan (SKIF's Chief Instructor) and Hiyori Kanazawa (SKIF's World Women's Kumite Grand Champion).
2. Japanese Sensei – Australian Tour: Typically in May/June, SKIA flies in one of the Japanese instructors from the SKIF headquarters to tour across Australia. He usually visits each of the major cities across Australia (Sydney, Canberra, Rockhampton, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide) and usually a couple of regional cities as well (e.g., Albury, Lismore). He typically conducts 1-2 days of training in each of these locations.
3. SKIA’s NSW State Championships: Generally held in June/July each year, SKIA’s NSW state championship is an opportunity to gain experience performing your kata and practicing your kumite with our friends from other dojos in the state. Even if you prefer not to compete, if you are able to attend to support club members (especially first time competitors and children) and also to help with duties such as marshalling kids, keeping score, or judging, this would be most appreciated.   
4. Sydney Shotokan Gasshuku: Usually in February/March each year, the Sydney Gasshuku or camp is held at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen. In genuine “camp” style, we bring along our sleeping bags or bed linen and take over the dorms at the centre, eat in the canteen and enjoy a fantastic line-up of martial arts training for 2-3 days. Instructors from across Sydney and even from Japan come to the event and we receive an interesting mix of karate lessons (kata, kumite drills, fitness training, tai chi and even a bit of grappling depending on the session instructors).
5. Shotokan Karate Regional Gasshuku – This camp is usually held in August/September each year somewhere along the south coast. To date, it’s been held in Narooma but could possibly move further north in future years. This 2-day camp provides excellent training for all levels and ages, providing a variety of sessions focusing on grading material, kihon, kata, kumite drills and more.
6. NSW Squad Training – Typically held once a month, our NSW state coaches run competition specific “squad” training sessions. For those of you who may be interested in competing in tournaments, these sessions are highly recommended. Most of the sessions are held in Sydney, but occasionally some may be held in Wollongong. However, even if you are not interested in competition, these sessions are invaluable for fine-tuning your kata performance and the fluidity of your karate technique in general.
7. Stronger Together Seminar Series: Held once/twice year in Sydney, these special 1-day seminars provide a variety of sessions to choose from. You can choose sessions on kata, kumite, kihon, or sports karate, or concentrate mainly on one area depending on your personal interests.
8. SKIF International Seminar: - Depending on interest, we may try to organize a club trip to the international seminar at some point in the future. The international seminar is typically held in March in Tokyo, Japan and is open to all brown and black belt members, ages high school - adult.
9. SKIF World Championships: Every three years, the Australian Team competes in the SKIF World Championships. Selection for the Australian Team is typically done at National Championships during Shotokan Week in the year prior to the World Championships. In 2019, they were held in the Czech Republic. The next championships are expected be held in Tokyo, Japan in 2023 (COVID-permitting). Selection criteria for the National Team can be found on SKIA's website here.