Here you will find the latest news involving SOMA initiatives:
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JANUARY 2021 – Whilst most martial arts clubs and organisations throughout Australia (and the world) have suffered greatly by the lock downs and restrictions caused by the Federal and State governments concerning their hysteria over Covid-19, some of us have managed to battle on.
The following is a brief report of an event that was not an initiative of SOMA but two SOMA representatives were in attendance and one, Colin Wee, was a prime organizer for the event.
On Saturday 30 January 2021, a number of senior instructors gathered at Andrew Netes’ Bujinkan dojo in a suburb of Perth. Each instructor was challenged to deliver as much information as possible in a sharp 10 minute time slot. Eight instructors participated and each presentation was very interesting.
Topics included weapons and implements of the ninja with Andrew Netes, demonstrations of bokken-jutsu (Kanada Cruz, Doug Spear and Peter James) a talk about the synchronicity of Aikido with Japanese katana techniques with Paul Araki-Metcalfe, a multi-topic talk about open hand techniques, kata principles, makiwara training and the ‘razor’s edge by Gary Simpson, a talk about various self-defence systems by Paul Marston and a display of many esoteric knives presented by Terence Bridgeman.
PHOTO: Terence Bridgeman showing his knife collection to some of the other instructors and students including Doug Spear, Oscar Barrett, Paul Marston, Debbie Clarke, Vincent Cordeiro, Gary Simpson, Kanada Cruz, Paul Araki-Metcalfe, Andrew Netes, Peter James and others. Colin Wee was filming and taking photographs to record the event.
Here is a short out-take (2:10) of the presentation by Gary Simpson. This particular part was about the efficacy of the open hand strike versus the punch [NOTE: this link will open in a new page]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNtV8ScnzZo
After the sessions we all joined in a bit of a feast which was graciously provided by Andrew Netes and Colin Wee. Thank you to Andrew Netes for opening his most interesting dojo to us. Andrew is a direct student of the famous Masaaki Hatsumi Soke of the Bujinkan.
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OCTOBER 2020 – On Saturday 31st October 2020, a large gathering of senior Western Australian martial artists, from numerous disciplines, met to present a LIFETIME SPECIAL AWARD CERTIFICATE to Master Savateur, Terence Bridgeman.
Terence has studied several martial arts in his 50 plus years of study but has found his niche for many decades in the French art of Savate.
Sadly for Terence (and for us), he has been diagnosed with advanced Motor Neurone Disease. This gathering was a joint-venture between SOMA and IAOMAS to pay tribute and respect to one of Australia’s most eminent martial arts practitioners.
PHOTO 1: Gary Simpson, on behalf of SOMA, presents Terence with his Lifetime Special Award Certificate. Seen standing to the left is Colin Wee (IAOMAS organizer) and Vincent Cordeiro, Sifu.
Although Terence’s school – Bridgeman Savate Resistance – is not a member of SOMA, we recognise achievements such as this purely for the service that people like Terence give to their students.
PHOTO 2: Bottom row (kneeling) L-R: Joshua Lay (TKD), Sifu Gawain Siu (Ging Mo), Sifu Vincent Cordeiro (Chinese Martial Arts), Dragan Malesic (Bujinkan Ninjutsu) and Colin Wee (TKD)
Back row (standing) L-R: Dan Djurdjevic (Traditional Fighting Arts), Doug Spear Kyoshi (Spear Dojo), Gary Simpson Hanshi (Zanshin Kai Karate Do & Kobudo), Terence Bridgeman Master Savateur (Bridgeman Savate Resistance), Nigel Bridgeman Savateur (Bridgeman Savate Resistance), Debbie Clark Sensei (Tsutsumi Jugo Ryu Jujutsu), Kurk Heald Savateur (Bridgeman Savate Resistance), Peter James Shihan (Shin Sei Kan Kenjutsu) and Peter Wong Senior Master (Kidokwan).
The presentation also included a nice lunch prepared by Colin Wee, a number of speeches and a ‘handing over’ of the certificate of ownership of Bridgeman Savate Resistance to Terence’s son, Nigel, who becomes the new senior instructor. Terence still trains as and when he can, such is his love and dedication for his chosen art.
SOMA and IAOMAS are very pleased and proud to have been able to make this such a memorable day for Terence. Everybody wishes Terence all the best while knowing that his future will be a daunting one for him.
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MAY 2020 – Craig Bernotti, a 6th Dan Kyoshi with Bob Jones’ Zen Do Kai organisation asked if I would do a short video on the occasion of ZDK’s 50th anniversary celebrations coming up on June 1st, 2020. Here it is:
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MAY 2020 – Kelly Anderson, Renshi has graciously accepted the position of Acting Secretary and Steven Andreazza, Shihan, a corporate accountant, has also graciously accepted the position of Acting Treasurer. Thank you both and WELCOME to the Board of SOMA!
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MAY 2020 – SOMA‘s new and vastly improved website is launched on Friday 15 May 2020.
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APRIL 2020 – Western Australia:
After almost 50 years of dedicated training – and the last 17 years training EVERY DAY without missing a single day (yes, you read that correctly!), Barrie Revell, Kensei, has awarded Gary Simpson of Western Australia a personal Kudan (9th Dan).
PHOTO: Gary Simpson (then 7th Dan Kyoshi) demonstrating a Goju kata, Seiunchin) at a gala event before approximately 200 attendees in Adelaide on the occasion of the Australian Martial Arts 25th anniversary, in November 2009.
PHOTO 1: Gary Simpson with Hanshi belt.
PHOTO 2: Using katana and wearing hakama, performing kata Batto Ho Sho
Gary has been a long-time devotee of Shotokan karate. In the last 20 years he has formed his own style called Zanshin Kai which incorporates approximately 80% Shotokan, 10% ju-jutsu and 10% kobudo.
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VALE – SIJO RAY POTTERAT – 20 April 2019:
It is reported with great sadness that Head of Style for Jik Cheung Kung Fu Australia Sijo Ray Potterat passed away on Saturday the 20th of April 2019. He was surrounded by his family in the Casterton Memorial Hospital following a valiant battle with cancer.
Excerpt from the Jik Cheung Kung Fu Australia Facebook page on the life of Ray:
“As we reflect on the life of our inspiring Sijo Ray, we consider the influence he had on each of our martial arts journeys. We thank him for his guidance and mentorship, and although he may have bowed off the mat for the final time, he will never be forgotten. His legacy will continue, through us and through our school, as we keep his memory alive. It is not goodbye, but see you later. We hope to continue making you proud.”
PHOTO: Sijo Ray Potterat proudly displaying his 7th Degree black belt certificate that was presented to him by Barrie Revell, Kensei, 10th Dan
His presence will be sorely missed by all at Jik Cheung Kung Fu Australia and other members of SOMA.
The funeral for Sijo Ray was held at the Carinya Gardens Cemetery, at 2.00pm on Monday the 29th April 2019.
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TRAINING DAY – Saturday 13 April 2019 – Mount Gambier:
Kensei Barrie Revell, Hanshi, 10th Dan will travel from Adelaide to Mount Gambier with Geoff Worden, Kyoshi, 6th Dan and Shane Hammond, Sensei to conduct training seminars on behalf of SOMA’s Jik Cheung Kung Fu club for various other clubs in the Mount Gambier area.
Leading the kung fu training will be Sifu Joe Cella and Si Hing Cuinn Wylie with Si Di Anton Baseley assisting.
The SOMA team from Adelaide will demonstrate and teach a variety of weapons including hanbo (sticks) and jo (short staff) plus self-defence (if time permits).
Other instructors will cover karate and other styles in what promises to be a terrific training day. Come along and train or watch. This is an event not to be missed.
Interested clubs may apply to become registered with SOMA. Call the Local Co-ordinator Anton on 0439 8O6 796 or Barrie Revell (Chairman of SOMA) on O418 859 769 for more details.
FOOTNOTE: A report on the success of the day was written by Sidai Antony Baseley and can be accessed on the ARTICLES —> Special Reports and Documents page.
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