The Heads from the various clubs that form part of the Shinwakai association met up for one of its regular meetings on Saturday. I was told the following:

1. There have been some changes to the insurance cover provided via the British Aikido Board. Insurance cover was now provided for students practicing up to 80 years of age, but permanent disability cover was only available up to 65 years. There was no age restriction for Instructors PI. It is now possible to claim for up to 6 physio sessions (limit £30 per session) under BAB policy.  See the BAB and Perkins Slade (the underwriters) Web sites for details http://www.bab.org.uk/newspad/sb_newsletter.asp?article=50

2. The BAB is setting up a register of Dan grades. Shinwakai will be charging a small fee (of £10) for administering this registration.

3. See BAB Web site for latest insurance cover on attendees at Courses for (a) Non BAB students (b) non BAB Instructors and (c) Overseas Instructors.

4. Sensei John Jenkin will be teaching at the BAB National course in the autumn.

5. Sensei Merill Poole will be teaching a 1st aid course on 31st October in Holtspur, Beaconsfield.

6. Sensei Joe MacEnroe will be running a coaching course in the upcoming months.

7. Sensei Keith Holland referred to the opportunity for Coaches to study the units required for their next level by undertaking units run by Sports Coach UK. In fact with the exception of the practical coaching session, all the units could be done this way. Benefits included (a) easier to find a local course (b) much cheaper option (c) receive both a ScUK and BAB award.

8. Child protection/CRB checks (and renewals) will now be managed by the BAB.