4.00pm and training commenced again with a twist. Greg Francis took the squad for a 20 minute warm up with his fit2fite with music, while other countries looked on a bit bemused while they did more traditional warm-ups. The Kumite Squad under Wayne Otto's supervision  then got into groups of 3 to do some combinations and then into pairs with one person attacking and one defending. Jon Mottram took the Kata Squad with individuals going through their choice of Kata. The Squad are working extremely well together giving each other support and encouragement. The coaches are encouraging the young Squad and really helping them to be focus and be prepared for the next few days.

Overseing, as Head of Delegation, Ticky Donovan OBE is taking a real interest in the Squad, watching them train. The Squad will be heading back to the hotel around 6.00pm for dinner and a rest.

Tomorrow the EKF President Carl Lindley joins the Squad and the delegation as final preparations are made and the Squad are registered.

The squad returned to the hotel about 11.30  to freshen up and get something to eat, there will be a further training session this afternoon. 

The Squad left for breakfast at 8.00am, a little tired but OK. We set off at 9.15am and are fortunate that there is a training stadium around the corner from the hotel about 5 minutes walk away. Other teams training at the venue have been Tunisia, Australia and Iran.The Squad started some light training with the kumite squad going through some sparring combinations while the Kata Squad worked in pairs. The Squad are in high spirits and are extremely eager to get going.

November 9th 2009

The squad travelled to Heathrow and met up in Terminal 2. They were very quiet, but once check in began they started buzzing. Three of the squad had had a slight delay in the their connecting flights but eventually all were checked in ready to begin the final leg to Morocco. Once the goodbyes to friends and families had been done, the squad went through security and for something to eat.

The flight was good (little bumpy in places!) and the coach was on time to collect us. It took just over the hour to reach the hotel. We got to the hotel about 10.30pm where everyone checked in. There are 2 other teams in the hotel the Mexicans and Czech teams. The hotel staff had kindly kept the restaurant open for us so the team could have a meal which the squad were pleased about.

After resting on Wednesday, the squad were back in full swing on Thursday which was another full-on tripple session, with an early start and 2 more sessions during the day.

The squad are now relaxing in their final evening of pre-training together, apparently they are having an EKF 'X' Factor evening! Tomorrow the squad will have a final early morning session before ending their pre-training and making their way home.

The squad will be meeting up on Monday with their Kata colleagues to travel to the World Championships together. The road to Rabat is nearing its final destination

 Posted 5th November 2009

 I feel the training has been tough but due to the help given to me and the squad by the coaches has prepared us all well for this week and the competition. I am sharing a room with Ryan Jay and we're getting on really well and its made the trip enjoyable. The best part about the trip so far is not having to worry about what I eat because I'm one of the heavy weights.
Cheyne Phillips

Posted 4th November 2009

The kumite squad had another early start to the dojo with Wayne Otto and the Coaches. The squad may be taking some time out today, must be all the hill walking, they'll be running to the dojo and back by the end of the week!

The squad are relaxing for the rest of the day. National Coach Wayne Otto is pleased with the way the squad are bonding, training and how they have a positive attitutude towards their training, so this evening the squad will be spending their time together and maybe going bowling as a treat. Matt Handley has seen the squad training and is enthused as to the young squad's abilities and attitude and how they all look like world class medallists.

Posted 3rd November 2009

A very early start for the kumite squad this morning with the first training session starting at 7.30am, the squad again worked on techniques and 5 combinations. The squad are back at the hotel for a well earned breakfast before heading off for round 2!

After a late breakfast the squad returned to the dojo for the second session from 12.30 until 2pm. Apparently there are lots of hills around the hotel and dojo so lots of walking to make them all extra fit! The squad returned again to the dojo late afternoon to carry on the training for a final session of the day. Back to the hotel in the evening (more hill walking!) for the evening meal and study time/free time. The squad are working well together, very focused and actually enjoying the training, although the training is hard they know its going to pay off.

Just like to say a big thank you to Matt Handley for allowing the junior squad to use his dojo for free and for making it available to Wayne Otto as and when the squad require it. Also, to the hotel staff who are looking after the squads well being and appetites, I hear they are enjoying the food and some are going back for seconds!

Posted 2nd November 2009

An early start was had by most for the trip to Halifax for the pretraining before the Junior world championships. The kumite squad all met at the hotel at noon.

After the squad were allocated their rooms they then met up with the coachs, where the National Coach Wayne Otto OBE gave the team a debrief and what was to be expected of the them while at pretraining. The squad then went to Matt Handleys dojo which is only a few minutes walk from the hotel to start their pretraining. The squad's first session lasted for 1.5 hrs focusing on techinques, drill and sparring. After a break the squad then had a second session and trained until 6.30pm. In the evening, the squad went back to the hotel to freshen up and have their evening meal togther at 7.30pm. The squad then settled down for the evening with Wayne Otto ensuring they have study time so not to miss out on school work.

messages for Cheyne

We would like to say good luck to Cheyne Phillips in Morrocco, we know you can do this!! have a good time and I'll see you when you get back! C'mon you +78 hehe
Love from John, Alison, Sami and chelcie.. we love you!

Good Luck to all the team, you have all worked really hard to achieve your goals, Also a special mention to Sensei Cheyne Phillips bring us a medal back!!!
From all your students, Sami and parents at Fix n Kiks/ Disability Active