Kendo Dojo Reps Cttee – Eric Schofield
Eric Schofield is standing for the Chair of the Kendo Dojo Representatives Committee. His candidates’ statement can be found below.
The Kendo DRC meeting, and the election for its’ Chair, will be held on 18 October 2009 at Mumeishi (across the road from the dojo at the BA Concorde club), during lunchtime.
If you are interested in standing, more information can be found here.
Statement by Eric Schofield
I came to Kendo in 1967 as a result of knee damage practicing Judo and playing Rugby. My first teacher was R.A. Lidstone at Nenriki Dojo. I gained Shodan in 1969 at the first formal Dan examination in the country, and achieved Godan in Cork in 2001.
Deputy Headship in 1972 saw a move to Bedfordshire where I started and ran Miken Dojo, and Headship in 1978 produced Shiroishi Dojo in Shepton Mallet. Retirement resulted in a move to Braunston, and I joined Nagamitsu Dojo in 1998.
I was Sempai of Nenriki Dojo on the night Mr. Lidstone died, fighting; I was pleased to be able to organise the 1971 and ’72 Taikai in his honour.
I was organiser and fought in the first European Taikai in 1974, and organised the 3rd World championship in 1976 as well as the 1986 European Championships. I was happy to be able to help train the volunteers who worked hard to make 12 WKC a success. I refereed at BKA championships from 1974 to 1986, including the 1977 European Taikai in Brussels. Cataracts stopped this activity until I had the operation and was able to resume refereeing in 2002.
Over the years I have attended, instructed on and organised Seminars and courses. I was fortunate to attend the first seminar for foreign students in Katsuura in 1995. Since I had my own school, I was able to hold events at minimal cost to the BKA in the 80s. In the early years I was a grading panel member.
I have served the BKA in a number of capacities; Minutes Secretary 1979–83 and 1994–97, Vice Chair 1976-77, Chairman 1977-78, and General Secretary 2000-09. I was Association representative at the EKF and IKF meetings in 1974 and 1976, the Martial Arts Commission representative from 1977 until its demise in 1992, and continued with MADEC until the BKA left. MADEC made me a Fellow in 2003. I served on the Sports Council Advisory Group to the Martial Arts until it fizzled out somewhere in the 1990s!
Perhaps because of my profession, and because I believe that the BKA should give the best teaching possible to its members, I helped organise a Dojo Leaders course at Nenriki Dojo in 1975. From this I became involved in the Coach award scheme set up by MAC, which led to the establishment of the BKA coach awards. These I organised and lectured on until 2006. I firmly believe that the instruction given to beginners stays with them as they progress with their Kendo.
The new constitution offers an opportunity and lends greater importance and independence to the Bu. The DRC lets the voice of individual kendoka be heard. In the past individuals have failed to speak out in case they jeopardise their grading chances, a belief I have never subscribed to! However the DRC does allow voices to be heard – I hope my experience and age will encourage people to speak in ‘safety’ through me, in the knowledge that I will pass on their views in total confidence should they so wish. I would certainly expect to represent ‘Dojo’ views to the Bu and the NC in a firm way.
Above all I enjoy turning up to enjoy the cut and thrust of an evening’s practice. It helps keep me young!
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Posted: September 9th, 2009 under Kendo.
Tags: Dojo Representatives Committee, Kendo