Don’t forget to bring

It is very important that you bring your child’s SAMA Membership book to the grading test. If your child is currently a white belt do not worry as it will be waiting for you to collect at the grading. It is important that you keep your membership book safe and in good condition as it is a record of the students karate history. There will be a £2.00 administration charge for forgotten membership books. The charge for damaged / lost books will be: White to green belt £5.00 – Green stripe and blue belts £7.00 – Blue stripe belts and above £10.00.

If your membership is out of date

Your membership and insurance renewal date can be found in the front of your SAMA membership book. This needs to be renewed and paid annually. It is extremely important that this is always in date for both weekly training classes and gradings. Please click here to renew alternatively you can pay by cash, just ask your instructor for a membership renewal form at class where they will also be able to take payment for the renewal fee.

Students must wear

All Students must wear a clean, smart, pressed white gi (karate suit) and current belt, with SAMA club badge sewn on the left breast when training within classes and attending gradings. If your child’s gi has been dyed grey in the wash by mistake, is extremely worn, stained or very grubby this will need to be replaced. As with any uniform the student must look presentable both in training and at their grade test. New karate suits can be ordered online with our equipment provider Strike Sport here or with your class instructor. If unsure if a new gi is needed please chat to your instructor before ordering.

For the pre-grade class and grading karate girls are allowed to wear a plain white t-shirt or vest under their karate jacket but boys must be bare chested under their karate jacket.

No jewellery is allowed to be worn during the lesson or grade test including earrings. If your child is unable to remove their earrings please can they be taped over prior to them attending.

Sparring Kit & Weapons

All students currently wearing an orange belt and above must have a set of plain white elasticated sparring equipment as they are required to spar as part of their grade test. Sparring kit can be purchased from your class instructor or via our equipment provider Strike Sport. Click here for the direct link to the correct sparring kit needed. Students without correct equipment may not be able to grade so please do not forget to bring this.

Karate pre-grade class

The pre-grade classes are held before all of our grade tests. They are a great booster lesson for the children on the day of the test practicing all aspects of grade work. This also helps with confidence and shakes off any nerves reducing the risk of failure in the test. Children can also gain any final blue stripes on their belt for grade within this lesson. Benefits of the class include:

• Practice on all aspects of the grade work.
• Practice on blocks, kicks & punches, stances, breathing, strength, focus etc all very important to achieving a good pass.
• An extra confidence boost to shake off any nerves and highly reduce the risk of failure.