New Black Belt grades
Many congratulations to Sensei Lee who gained his 1st Dan grading on Sunday the 28th of February 2010.
The 1st Dan is not a physically hard grading, but does require answering a lot of questions on teaching, technique, introducing new students and generally running a training session. Techniques have to be demonstrated as they would in a class to show how and why they are done, what to do with mixed classes, new students, unruly students and students with injuries.
Asking the tricky questions were Shihan Player (8th Dan), Sensei Tony (5th Dan) and Sensei Geoff (2nd Dan). Pretending to be a new senior student and also a 9 year old boy was Sensei Darren (2nd Dan). Sensei Steve Sweetlove (6th Dan) also attended. All were very pleased with Lee's performance.
I (Sensei Geoff) also graded to 3rd Dan (San Dan), so congratulations to me too. I'll now be eligible to wear a black gi jacket while teaching.
