Some of you may have received an e-mail from Tamura sensei regarding the details for this weekend. In summary, the main points are:
Doors open at the Chandler Areana, Sleeman Sports Complex at 8.30am for a 9am opening (sharp) and close 5.00pm on both days. Best partying is in Car Park 2 and directions for getting there can be found at: https://sleemansports.com.au/getting-here.aspx
The whole of Saturday on the Kendo side of the Arena will be dedicated to the Kendo State Championship, which, depending on the final number of competitors and length of matches, ought to finish between 4 and 4.30 pm. There will be free jigeiko until closing. Iaido and Jodo shall be unaffected and run as per a usual seminar format on the Saturday.
Sunday morning will be a usual seminar format for all disciplines. Gradings on Sunday will commence at 1.45 pm, with Iaido and Jodo being run before Kendo. The day is scheduled to finish at 4.30 pm with a closing ceremony and announcement of the grading results.
What this means for Toowoomba and Gin Gin folk:
We will be leaving from Crown Street, Rangeville at 6 am both days so that we can get breakfast in Plainland and have plenty of time to arrive for 8.30 am. I have been tasked with being on the seminar reception desk, so we will need to be prompt.
We will likely be taking two cars down from Toowoomba given the number of us travelling. We shall arrange details at training this Tuesday. Given driving times, we will probably be back in Toowoomba around 7 pm on both days.
For folk having to drive back to Gin Gin, we shall arrange it so that you can leave straight after your grading attempt, if you need to, so that you can get home at a reasonable time. We will make sure that the grading panel knows that you have to leave early, and you receive an SMS regarding your results.
Good luck with your final week of preparation for both competition and grading. I’ll look forward to seeing you in the dojo (virtual or otherwise) mid week!