An oldie but a goodie.....Consistency.

I have been thinking about consistency in training recently and how I have been guilty of not getting on the mat regularly enough in the past. This often causes the yo-yo effect where you take two steps forward and then two-back which becomes frustrating and dis-heartening since progress slows right down to a crawl. The only way to overcome this is to get on the mat consistently, at least twice a week, so that any gains that are made are more likely to be cemented into your game when it is put under pressure. Training in BJJ is like pushing a broken down car up a hill, your either making slow and painful progress up or your sliding back down. There is no in between.

Calvin Coolidge, the 30 th President of the United States, stated this best when he remarked that:

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not - nothing is more common that unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not - unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not - the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

So the bottom line is get your rear-end on the mat more often and reap the rewards!

New Class Times As July 1st 2007

Please note there will be a change to the existing timetable from the 1st July 2007. Tuesday night classes will now begin at 7pm with a Technique Class then Regular training at 8pm till 9pm. On Saturday training will begin as usual at 12pm with BJJ training and then at 1pm there will be an MMA class. There will also be a dedicated Wednesday lunchtime class/open mat at 12.30pm. Here is a great opportunity to get some more mat time and diversify your training with wrestling, striking and no-gi aspects. Those students who have a 10 visit pass card will only have the card stamped once for both classes on Tuesday night but Saturday classes will be treated seperately and require two stamps if attending both sessions. Looking forward to seeing you all on the mat and supporting these updated training times.

Grading Results

On Friday Nite Chris, Tom, Bruce, Dave, Klaus, Jason and I attended for our grading at Extreme Chadstone. Everybody performed incredibly well demonstrating solid technique. Our head coach, John Donehue, awarded stripes to Chris, Tom, Dave and Klaus, brining them a step closer to a blue belt. Jason had three stripes added to his blue in an impressive display while Bruce had a stripe added to his blue after having his blue confirmed by Coach John Donhehue. I managed to get a bump to purple without even putting on a gi! It was truly a suprise and I was speechless afterward for some time. I have a passion for teaching and I was incredibly proud of all our guys. See you on the mat.

Grading Time

On the 18th March at 6pm there will be a grading at the Extreme Headquarters in Chadstone. This will be a an opportunity to test your wears against other students and hopefully get a bump up the ladder for all your hard work. There are scehduled gradings each year in May and September. Students need to have been training for a minimum of 6 months prior to attempting a grading. Good luck!

AFBJJ VIC Titles SAT 21st APRIL

Here is another tournament to consider entering to broaden your BJJ experience. Peter De Been is hosting the Vic Championship's at Melb Sports and Aquatic in two weeks time. I have entry forms for anyone interested in competing, these need to be returned by Tues 17th April. There are grade, weight and age divisions as well as open events. Last year at the Pan Pacs it was a great day with all those from Mornington Extreme placing first or second in their respective divisions. It can also be an opportunity to see the sport of BJJ in action. For further information please visit afbjj.com. See you on the mat.

Vale Brice Steele

It was with great sadness that I read of the tragic death of AFP officer Brice Steele in the Garuda Air Disaster last week. Brice and I were friends prior to his posting to Beijing in 2002. Brice was a blue belt in BJJ having spent time with John Will, John Donehue and Carlos Machado. He and I trained together during his time in Melbourne and he taught me many important lessons in life and the Martial Arts. I will be attending his funeral in Brisbane on Monday to say goodbye to a man off incredible integrity and intelligence.

Pan Pacs 2006

Well done to all those who competed in the Pan Pacs