Comments on: Trying out?

By: George McCall

George McCall — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:06:15 +0000

Nice article Andy!!

One side of the coin that Andy doesn’t mention is that you have to be prepared for the time when you are no longer a team member, be that because of age, other commitments, injury, distance, and what have you. I speak with personal experience when I say that – after 3 years of living and breathing kendo for national team I moved to Japan and was no longer acceptable as a squad member (under the then rules of the British Kendo Association). What this meant is that my reason for doing kendo along with the support of my sempai, kohai, the association all dissapeared (at once). Suddenly I was by myself and re-accessing why I was doing kendo, what and who for.

Of course, I got over this, but it wasn’t without some personal stress and not a little bit of frustration. I was so annoyed at not being able to be selected for the last WKC (in Taiwan) that I could’t bring myself to go on the short 2hr plane ride from Osaka to watch and support my friends. I regret that now and see it as a pretty childish action.

However, now I am in the situation where – even if I cannot be selected – I am more than willing to go out of pocket and spend my time and money helping the British Team and British kendo in anyway I can, be it bed space, beer, I.T. work, what have you.

(Actually, not just the British team, but I am more than happy to help any foreign kenshi… but I do have a soft spot for the U.K.!)

Actually, Andy will be staying with me in Osaka this weekend, doing lots of kendo (peppered with some beer afterwards). His making an effort to come to Osaka is also testament to his effort and seriousness about kendo and the squad. It also give me a chance to extend my help – small as it may be – to my kohai.

Good luck to everyone trying out for the next WKC!!!

By: Chaby

Chaby — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:46:08 +0000

Thank you Andy!
This is a great help for my goal of becoming a National Team member one day.
Although you said this isn’t a definitive guide, I find it greatly helpful.
Cheers.

By: Ben Sheppard

Ben Sheppard — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:05:00 +0000

Oops! I meant to say “supportive partner, FAMILY and workplace”. Pick any two. b

By: Ben Sheppard

Ben Sheppard — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:03:48 +0000

A supportive partner, wife and workplace are desirable. Without at least two of those, it’s just impossible. No-one does it on their own. b

By: Alphons Metselaar

Alphons Metselaar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:21:41 +0000

Very encouraging indeed. I would like to add that all the prerequisites you mentioned (commitment, sweat, proper behavior and such) should be met or at least an attempt to meet the standards you just described.

I think I would have more fights at home with a Kendo wife…..

By: Robin Deegan

Robin Deegan — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:17:17 +0000

Great post Andy.

For sure our biggest problem has been with people dropping out over the course of the few months before the championships was that they either didn’t anticipate the level of commitment to attend trainings (both national and club) or they didn’t realise the financial implications.

And your also right about the kendo wife not being the solution, but it helps :)