Profile
The Kobukan School of Martial Arts has been training children, teenagers and adults in the physical, technical and cultural disciplines of Koryu Uchinadi Karate and Kobudo for over ten years in Hamilton. Kobukan Martial Arts was established in March 1997 and was incorporated as a Society in 2003.
The Kobukan School is a very successful and highly respected Martial Arts School in the Waikato; currently there are over 100 junior members and 25 senior members. Head instructor is Sensei Phil Beale (5th Dan) and there are also two assistant instructors. Classes are run on four nights of the week at the Aberdeen School Community Centre, Te Rapa Waterworld, Tamahere School & Ohaupo School, as well as numerous weekend training opportunities. Sensei Phil Beale also runs self-defence classes for the Hamilton City Council Waterworld staff, and has in the past run specific women’s self defence classes.
The core curriculum of Kobukan Martial Arts, includes Karate, Kobudo ( old style weapons ) ground work, grappling, throws, chokes & joint manipulation.
Sensei Phil Beale has over 35 years experience and has black belt rankings in Koryu Uchinadi 5th Dan Shidoin, Ryukyu Kempo 4th Dan, and under the New Zealand Karate Acadamy 4th Dan. Taekwon Do 1st Dan, Sensei Phil has a tertiary qualification in exercise programme supervision, and is a level one coach under Karate New Zealand. Assistant instructor, Sensei Marcus Steel is a 2nd Dan blackbelt Shidoin in Koryu Uchinadi, and was graded in September 2007 by Hanshi Patrick McCarthy. Sensei Dawn Foster is a 1st Dan black belt in Koryu Uchinadi, and was graded in September 2007 by Hanshi McCarthy. Sensei Dawn also holds black belts in Okinawan Karate 2nd Dan, and Ryukyu Kempo 1st Dan. Sempai Zane is a 1st Dan Black Belt received in September 2008 from Hanshi McCarthy.
-
The objectives of the School are described in its constitution but are briefly:
- The Kobukan School has a core function of teaching the arts of Koryu Uchinadi Karate and Kobudo. Through this function, it promotes the physical, social and well-being of its members.
- It encourages the study of the anthropology, ethos and technical theories of Karate and Kobudo.
- The discipline of learning Karate through the Kobukan School promotes in the students self-discipline, and healthy life skills by providing confidence, raising self-esteem and promoting self-respect as well as the obvious physical benefits of exercise.
- The Sensei and respected leaders in the Kobukan School provide juniors or lower ranked members with mentors and are role models for the students to admire. Students are encouraged to aspire to their level of success and experience through dedication, hard work and applying themselves to their chosen sport.