Seni 2004

Europe’s biggest Martial Art’s Festival, Seni, hit Birmingham on the 24th and 25th April 2004. It showcases Martial Arts from every corner of the globe. It is fast moving, hard hitting and great fun.

Seni is an opportunity for companies to market their equipment with innovative training aids on display. It enables individuals to see what is new in the market place and to try them out. Interesting weaponry can be located including replicas from the movies. It brings out a sense of competition between the equipment manufacturers with keen pricing and some novel marketing ideas to attract buyers.

The healing arts, which is an important and often forgotten side of Martial Arts, is also showcased. This year there were stands offering taster sessions in Massage, Sports/Remedial Massage, Indian Head Massage and Daoyin Tao. As any self-respecting Martial Artist understands, the requirement for someone to rebuild your muscles is often the most important!

There is business advice from companies specialising in marketing Martial Arts Organisations. There is help to enable you to build your martial arts club from hobby to career. These organisations prove that Martial Arts is not just a Village Hall Tuesday night, but more a serious business proposition. In short everything is at Seni.

To focus on one type of Martial Art could be construed as restrictive. Seni demonstrates every discipline that wants to be involved. From the wonderful Sikh Gatka to Medieval British Swordplay there is always something interesting to watch.

Representation comes from China, Japan, India, the Philippines, Russia, Brazil, the Armed Services, in fact any country with a naturalised martial art. Seni opens the mind and spirit proving that there is more to Martial Arts than macho muscles and aggression.

The BCCMA is an organisation striving to bring together the different aspects of Chinese Martial Arts. They promote the study and safe practice of Chinese Martial Arts. They also act as regulators to the ever-growing numbers of organisations and clubs who claim to teach authentic Chinese Martial Arts. For any student wishing to study Chinese Martial Arts, the starting point is the BCCMA.

Seni gives the BCCMA a great opportunity to showcase what they can offer clubs and associations teaching Chinese Martial Arts. The BCCMA encompasses much of what Seni is about. It demonstrates that Chinese Martial Arts opens the mind and spirit with representation from different clubs and associations. It is mindful that everyone seeks a different aspect of any martial art.

This year the BCCMA stand was manned by Sifu Paul Burkinshaw (Executive Officer of the BCCMA and Chief Instructor of Sil Lum Kune), with him were Dan Amphlett, Alexandra Hyde and David Richardson, Instructors of Sil Lum Kune and student Robert Buckler. There was also representation from Wah Duc Lung in the form of Steve W.
 

The BCCMA had organised several San Shou fights, however due to a last minute hitch with mats that had not been supplied these were unable to take place. It was substituted with a San Shou demonstration performed by the Shaolin Temple UK (BCCMA members). It was organised and refereed by BCCMA qualified referee Sean with the help of BCCMA qualified corner judge Steve. The BCCMA have an excellent training programme for Head Judges, Judges, Referee’s, Timekeepers and Scorers.

The BCCMA have acknowledged that there must be a recognised standard for competition and will only use qualified members at their competitions. As such a high standard of equity can be found at any competition organised by the BCCMA. This training extends to Qingda (semi-contact sparring) judge training as well as Traditional and Wushu Forms and Weapons judge training always-ensuring high standards are attained and maintained.
 

Taken one step further, the BCCMA also has a Coach Training Programme run by Chris Ellerker, Director of Coaching. Initially a one-day course is provided so that a new coach will gain sufficient information and skill to enable them to prepare and conduct a class safely and professionally. Not what to teach, just how to teach it.  Next is the governing body level three coaching course. This goes in much more detail. There are five main stages; Nutrition, Physical Conditioning, Sport Psychology, Biomechanics and Protection of
children from abuse. Lastly, there is the NVQ level two and three. These are comprehensive qualifications, enabling you to get a job anywhere in the sports industry.

Other BCCMA members were in attendance to demonstrate their particular side of the art. Sifu Iain Armstrong and his Nam Yang Pugilistic association were in force having travelled from various destinations in the UK. They demonstrated their mastery of weapons, their famous Shaolin Iron Shirt system and the Chinese Lion Dance.
 

Jonathon Staples Dragon Wu Shu and Andy Bellamy’s Kixx Wu Shu put on spectacular athletic Wu Shu displays. The appreciative audience rapturously received the gymnastic and dynamic form of the Wu Shu. There was also an appearance by Master Chen Lei several times winner of the Chinese National Championships.

With displays by members of the BCCMA such as the Shaolin Temple UK, Julian Dale’s Traditional Eagle Claw Kung Fu and the Yum Yeurg Academy, the BCCMA strongly demonstrated their diversity.

Notwithstanding the high level of skill executed by these great clubs and associations, the union and camaraderie was also extremely evident. The BCCMA actively promotes a family atmosphere to the association and the respect between the different organisations is very strong.

Sil Lum Kune had put a computer display together showing the various competitions organised by the BCCMA. Ray Bramwell one of the National Wu Shu Coaches also provided a great Video to put on the BCCMA computer all of which attracted a great deal of interest.
With over 200 enquiries during the two days on contacts, school search and membership the event was highly successful.