Neil Ernest with ETA and WALES International competitors

On Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th March, the ETA held its Spring Seminar & Grading weekend where close to 100 students from all part of the country descended upon the Royal Masonic Girls School in Hertfordshire.

The events of the weekend got off to a great start with guest Instructor and former world & European Champion Mr Neil Ernest 4th degree treating the students to a Tournament Sparring seminar. The seminar covered all aspects of sparring and was greatly received by all.

After a short break 14 candidates from 1st kup to 2nd degree took part in the black belt examinations for their respective grades. The grading lasted for 3 hours and was conducted by Mr. Patterson 6th degree, Mr. Symonds 5th degree and Mr. Moreno 5th degree with Master Denis 7th degree observing and Mrs Patterson 4th degree giving the commands. Students were asked to perform Patterns, all variations of Sparring, power testing, self-defence and theory. I am pleased to say that the general standard was good, with only 2 candidates not meeting the required standard.

Later that evening the President of ETA, Master Ellis 8th degree who had been conducting a Seminar in Newcastle during the day, joined the Instructors along with their partners for an Italian meal, where we all had the chance to socialise and relax before the Sunday seminar. After a good night’s sleep we were all ready to get back in the Dojang for the seminar with Master Ellis. As usual the Seminar was well attended by all grades from white belt to Master. Master Ellis, recently back from the IIC in Poland along with other senior members of ETA, shared his knowledge of Patterns and self- defence with the students who were very pleased to have the opportunity to train with him.

Master Ellis VIIIth degree conducting warm up exercises and stretching at recent IIC in Poland.

After the Seminar the Instructors, along with Master Ellis & Master Denis, had a meeting to discuss the future plans for ETA which seems to be very exciting for its members.

I would like to congratulate all the ETA members that have been selected to represent ITF England at the forthcoming European Championship’s in Sweden. This is a great achievement for ETA with 16 out 17 National team members coming from ETA.

Report by Mr N Symonds 5th degree (ETA Technical director)