Karate clubs help kick start launch of the Mental Health Charter

In this guest blog, Richard Naylor-Jones of the Chelmsford Shotokan Karate Club (KUGB), details the experience of being involved in the launch event of the Mental Health Charter and what the participants gained from the event.

KUGB Chelmsford Shotokan Karate Club, along with KUGB Dulwich Shotokan Karate Club, were invited to attend the launch of the Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation at the Kia Oval, London. We were there to represent the English Karate Council (EKC) and were keen to support the aims of the Mental Health Charter.

At our normal training session the night before, I had taken the opportunity to meet with the students as a group and also talk with their parents. Everyone was very excited to attend the launch.

The launch was scheduled for an early start Wednesday morning, so we set our alarms for 4.30am and arranged ‘pick ups’ in the dark of night.

At 6.45am we assembled in the Board room and met up with our friends from our sister club, Dulwich. Hannah Dobbin from the Sport and Recreation Alliance was there to greet us and the youngsters quickly found their appetite and enjoyed a healthy breakfast courtesy of our hosts.

It was then down to the Long Room where the physical activities were to take place. Our Karate youngsters were divided into two groups, the high grades started with a Karate Class whilst the low grades played ‘Kwik Cricket’. For many of the youngsters this was their first taste of cricket and it certainly was the first time any had played cricket in their Karate suit! Whilst the classes were taking place, officials, dignitaries and the press were busily gathering and watching the youngsters in the two classes.

Twenty minutes or so later the classes rotated, the low grades went upstairs for the ‘State of Mind’ session and the high grades moved to the ‘Kwik Cricket’. Meanwhile, pupils from Keyworth Primary School arrived in their impressive purple sports kits at the Long Room ready to participate in an ‘Introduction to Karate’ Class. They quickly lined up, already showing a good level of discipline and behaviour expected of promising martial artists. The pupils were taught how to be courteous and bow correctly. Then they practised a basic block, kick and punch. They particularly enjoyed being asked to Kiai (shout) as loud as possible when they kicked or punched.

The programme rotation continued and eventually we were back as one Karate Group so Sensei Tony Hughes and I conducted a class for all our students. The Karate youngsters present were aged from 7 to 18, from orange belt to 2nd Dan Black Belt, and included three KUGB England Squad members. As we put them through their drills they clearly showed to those observing the high level of concentration and passion required to execute each technique. In particular, they drew the attention of Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister.

Mr Clegg was very keen to meet with the young people to ask them about their Karate training and how it has improved their fitness and mental health. They all responded positively and enjoyed talking with him. I took the opportunity to explain that Karate teaches the importance of respect and courtesy. So, before Mr Clegg left, I asked the group to bow and say ‘Oss’ (which is a sign of respect) to thank him for his time. Mr Clegg embraced the concept and bowed with the team much to everyone’s delight. He also tweeted about it afterwards.

With the television cameras present, four of our Karateka, Alexander Lockett (9) Imogen Hughes (11), Teah Pope (16) and Eric Austin-Coskry (18) were interviewed by Lauren Hall from ITV. When asked, they emphasised the importance of raising awareness of the Charter, that there should not be discrimination and that people should be encouraged to be active, with the need to be healthy both physically and mentally.

The young Karateka also had the chance to talk with other guests who included Clarke Carlisle and Brendon Batson (OBE).

With the event coming to a close we said our goodbyes to our friends from KUGB Dulwich, Keyworth Primary School and our hosts from the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

The next day at our training session at Anglia Ruskin University, I took the opportunity to talk with the Chelmsford students to ask them to reflect on the previous day’s event. They were all very pleased they had “been on TV” and were now celebrities amongst their friends. Many commented that it was “fun to switch to different activities” and “to learn to play cricket”. Meeting Nick Clegg was high on their list, as they were in awe that he took time to speak to them and that his son also did Karate. They said they were “proud to represent the club” and to show to “important people at an influential event what we do” in Karate. They were pleased “to be part of such a good cause”, that they made a contribution and that “our Karate demonstration would help the Charter”. They felt that by attending “they were able to raise awareness and help others”. For all of the youngsters it increased their awareness of Mental Health – “it helped me understand mental health issues” and the importance of “being physically healthy and mentally healthy”. Karate strives to develop both the physical and mental character of its students. The maturity and sense of responsibility to others that was evident throughout the conversation was heartwarming.

Everyone representing the EKC/KUGB on the day thoroughly enjoyed taking part and a particular thank you goes to the organisers, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, for inviting us to be part of this special occasion. Certainly the fact that it was reported on both national television and in the newspapers demonstrates the importance and attention this initiative deserves.

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