University of Birmingham Ninpo Budo
The University Ninpo-Budo club leads a double life. We are both a Student club, providing a service to the members of the University, and we are also a registered Bujinkan Dojo, under the sokeship of Dr Masaaki Hatsumi and a member of the Koryu Dojo under Norman Smithers.
This dual existence gives us literally the best of both worlds. We have access to some of the worlds finest Ninpo instructors, and we have the support structure of the University Athletic Union, providing us with excellent facilities and back-up.
The club has been running for some 20 years now, after being originally founded in 1988 by two students at the University named Carolyn and Sylvan. The Instructor at that time was Paul Rice, who taught at the club until the end of the academic year 1992-1993.
When Paul left to join the army in 1993, Karle Thomas took over instructorship of the University club, and has been chief instructor since.
This dual existence gives us literally the best of both worlds. We have access to some of the worlds finest Ninpo instructors, and we have the support structure of the University Athletic Union, providing us with excellent facilities and back-up.
The club has been running for some 20 years now, after being originally founded in 1988 by two students at the University named Carolyn and Sylvan. The Instructor at that time was Paul Rice, who taught at the club until the end of the academic year 1992-1993.
When Paul left to join the army in 1993, Karle Thomas took over instructorship of the University club, and has been chief instructor since.
About the club
At the club we cater for all kinds, from those who just want to learn some basic self defence to those with higher martial aspirations. We recognise that many people who want to learn self-defence have no desire to intensively pursue the martial arts, and as a student club, part-funded by the University Athletic Union, we feel that it is our responsibility to provide self defence instruction to anyone who wants it, and to provide martial arts training to those who are serious about pursuing Ninpo.
As a result, we do not force people to grade, and we do not enforce the strict military discipline and etiquette that is so often associated with the martial arts. Having said this, many of our members do decide to follow the "Ninpo path", and we ask that all our members respect this choice, and act in the dojo with the respect and decorum that good manners demand.
The dual nature of the club entails that we have a number of different names. As a University club we are known as the University of Birmingham Ninpo-Budo club. This is what we are known as to the Athletic Union, and this is the name that appears in any University publications. As a dojo, to the rest of the martial arts world, we are called the University of Birmingham Bujinkan Dojo.
As a result, we do not force people to grade, and we do not enforce the strict military discipline and etiquette that is so often associated with the martial arts. Having said this, many of our members do decide to follow the "Ninpo path", and we ask that all our members respect this choice, and act in the dojo with the respect and decorum that good manners demand.
The dual nature of the club entails that we have a number of different names. As a University club we are known as the University of Birmingham Ninpo-Budo club. This is what we are known as to the Athletic Union, and this is the name that appears in any University publications. As a dojo, to the rest of the martial arts world, we are called the University of Birmingham Bujinkan Dojo.
