Above: Back from left: Ishinryu Karate Berwick Dojo instructors and students Sempai Brandon, Rachel, Bradley, Meenu, Sunita, Sempai Ashley, middle, Campbell, Matthew, Chris, Paras, Christine, front, Harrison, Paris, Georgia, Jade, Jenny and Daniel.By Marc McGowan
FORMER Australian karate representative Nerida Field is teaching local youngsters self-defence – and helping them gain confidence.
Field’s club, Ishinryu Karate Berwick Dojo, has been catering for beginners to black belts for three years at St Michael’s Church Hall.
It boasts a core group of more than 20 students, which the sensei hopes will grow as she aims to move into a more karate-specific venue in 2009.
Field represented her country in the late 1980s before taking a 14-year break from the sport after enduring a heavy training load to reach the top.
On returning to karate, she became interested in teaching her martial art and aiding her pupils’ development.
And Field is still achieving success in competition – winning the Victorian title in the veteran division at last year’s National All Styles event at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
“The reason why I compete still is to help my students build up confidence and self-esteem,” she said.
“If they see their instructor competing, they feel comfortable.”
One of the main points Field stresses is to be determined and to set goals.
Her message is getting through if the performance of one of her athletes is any gauge.
After only 10 months’ training, Matthew Williams, 13, became Victorian champion at the 2007 National All Styles in the yellow belt/orange belt division.
At the time Williams was a yellow belt, but has since become a green belt.
Ishinryu Karate Berwick Dojo is holding its open day on Saturday 16 February at noon.
The club has training on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with juniors from 7pm to 7.45pm and seniors between 7.45pm and 8.30pm.
