Q4-2015 Newsflash

Dear Parents and Students

This is Alex here sharing with you the year that is done! 2015 is finished! Where did the year go?? The fourth term is past, and with it, CJA starts to wrap up for the year! This is what you need to know from the fourth term!

End of classes

All classes have finished for the year.

Start of classes

All kids’ classes will start with the returning of government schools. Class will begin on the 18th January 2016.

Adult Classes will start again on the 11^th January

Destiny

We started the term off with DESTINY – our National Martial Arts Tournament that took place on the 18^th October 2015

Congratulations to all those who competed and did their best!! It’s always scary to stand up, and fight in front of so many people! It truly shows your Warrior Spirit to be so brave!! J

The link to the Junior Destiny Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153052285977100.1073741845.128191422099&type=3

The link to the Senior Destiny Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153052267307100.1073741844.128191422099&type=3

The link to the Destiny Results: http://www.combatjiujitsu.co.za/results/

WP Colors

CJA is once again proud to announce that we have OVER 50 of our students qualified for WP Colours in their chosen sport. So congratulations to all those who achieved their Western Province Colors for Jiu-Jitsu, Breaking, MMA Light, and Gi Jiu-Jitsu!

For a full list go and have a look here:

http://www.combatjiujitsu.co.za/results/

If you ordered a WP Colors tracksuit, they will be available early next year, and will find their way to you as soon as possible!

(Once again our apologies for having to wait so long to receive these)

Also those that have not yet received your official WP Certificate – that will be given to you at the start of 2016 in class.

SA Colors

These students traveled to the U.S earlier this year to represent South Africa at the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) world championships. They all fought hard, and not only earned their SA Colors for Jiu-Jitsu, but all placed with medals in the TOP THREE!! World Class fighters from CJA!

Well done to the following students:

• Tristan Nel
• Troy Innes
• Pierre Pienaar

Camp

The CJA camp took place at the end of October, and what a blast was had by all who attended! Parents and Students alike! Activities, ranged from pillow fights, obstacle courses, swimming, and marshmallow braai’s, to playing tug of war, and of course, a lot of Jiu-Jitsu training!

The link to the Camp Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153073571902100.1073741846.128191422099&type=3

Grading

A big congratulations to everyone who graded on the 28^th November, and achieved their next belt! We are very proud of all of you!

The link to the Grading Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153098752297100.1073741847.128191422099&type=3

Instructor Course

As you all know – one of the underlying principles of CJA is “A Jiu-Jitsu Club FOR youth, BY youth” and our Instructor Course is designed to facilitate that vision.

We are happy to announce that ALL EIGHTEEN instructors qualified to their next respective levels. A heartfelt well done to these amazing young leaders, who put so much time and effort into shaping our children!

We are very excited to be able to welcome our BIGGEST intake of new Instructors in January!

TWELVE new students who have been identified with that extra “something” will be entering the House of P.A.I.N! (Preparing Advanced Instructors NOW!) in 2016 – we look forward to watching them progress on their journey to become leaders!

Welcome to the following Cadet Instructors:

• Pierre Pienaar
• Franco van Schalkwyk
• Riyago Maartens
• Tyler Kelsall
• Kyle Kelsall
• Camryn Consul
• Kade Roos
• Troy Innes
• Cara du Plessis
• Heindrich Pepler
• Jack Victor
• Marco Nothnagel

Best of skills to you all! We have a huge amount of faith in you!

Finally we ended the year off with our Annual End of Year function – where we thank and honour those that have made CJA the incredibly successful club that it is.

Here is the link to see some of the photographs that were taken at that event.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153098756667100.1073741848.128191422099&type=3

For those of you that were there, one unique event occurred that I would like to share with you here.

Our big, scary, intimidating Chief Instructor (most of us know him as “Mike”, others know him as “Dad”), a 6^th Dan Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu, decided to grade one final time. After much consideration and discussion amongst the Black Belts – Mike has taken the decision to award himself a WHITE BELT!

(To differentiate it from a beginners white belt – it will be a White Rope.)

Talking about it at the function Mike shared with us that after 35 years in Martial Arts, and training in many different disciplines – his journey has led to him realize that the more he learns, the less he knows.

To be able to stay true to his goal of being open and coachable to new ideas and thoughts – he decided that the only logical next step in grading to show this understanding would be to “start again” and to be graded to a White Belt.

To the Black Belt team and I this action showed a distinct lack of ego, and an understanding of what it means to be a true leader and student of Jiu-Jitsu. For that we thank you Mike!

So if you want to get a “piece of Mike” as I’m sure many of us do, now’s your chance, after all he is now only a white belt! 

 That’s all for the year folks! Now it’s time to rest up, relax, and have some fun for the holidays!!

Wishing everyone a safe, fantastic Festive Season and Happy New Year!! J

See you all next year!!

Alex (on behalf of Mike) and the CJA TEAM