British Aikido Board

The National Governing Body for Aikido in the United Kingdom.
Aikido is a martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba, that focuses on harmonising with your opponent, it can be practiced as a sport, self defence and an art using hand to hand and japanese weapons.

Welcome to the British Aikido Board

The British Aikido Board seeks to:-

  • Represent the majority of bona fide organisations practicing aikido in the United Kingdom.
  • Support, encourage and promote the highest standards of aikido within an environment of mutual respect for offering styles practiced.
  • Raise awareness of the value of aikido not only as a contributor towards healthy living, but also in the development of adults, young people and children, without regard to race, gender or creed.

The British Aikido Board operates primarily through its member Associations. There are 42 currently Full Member Associations with 5 Associate and Probationary Member Associations of regional and national status, who each retain their independence, both technically and financially, with a combined membership of some 5,000 , which includes 1233 instructors holding current Coaching Awards.

The Board is recognised by Sport England , as the only governing body for aikido in the United Kingdom and is a member of the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

 

The Board seeks to further the advancement of all styles of aikido and to establish and monitor standards of safety and behaviour for practitioners of aikido.

The Board advises member Associations on all relevant UK and European legislation and procedures and develops appropriate policies and codes of practice.

Other services provided include:-
•  Insurance cover, for members, instructors and Associations.
•  Promotion of a Nationally recognised Coaching Scheme in conjunction with UK Coaching / Sport England.
•  Organising a National Courses.
•  Supporting initiatives to encourage the teaching of Aikido in schools.
•  Publishing Newsletters and specialist information bulletins eg. Safeguarding and Coaching.

The Board has completed a number of initiatives, arising from the work of their major Governance Audit and through the adoption of a wide range of recommendations, contained in their Aikido Development Plan will support their key objective of encouraging all Aikido groups to join together under this “Aikido umbrella”.

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British Aikido Board

Sensei Jack Poole 7th Dan

Sensei Jack Poole 7th Dan

Sensei Poole started his martial art journey in the early 1960’s, originally training in Judo until he found aikido which was to be his life’s passion.

 

In early 1969 he joined the British Aikido Federation and for 25 years studied Aikikai under Chiba Sensei and then Kanetsuka Sensei. During this time he became Chairman of the Federation and also played a role in the International Aikido Federation.

He also studied with many other Japanese and international martial art masters and was interested in all styles of aikido. In 1993, having obtained senior grades in Aikikai, Yoshinkan and Aikibudo, and with the approval of his mentor Chiba Sensei, he established the UK Shinwakai, which then 

joined the BAB. This was to enable him to pursue his own Aikido path incorporating the structure and discipline of Yoshinkan Aikido with the flow and movement of Aikikai Aikido.

Over the years the Association has attracted a number of other organisations who share The UKS commitment to aikido operating as one family on the basis of mutual respect.

Sensei Poole passed away on 9th July 2022 and his gentle manner will be missed by all.

On 3rd December nearly 80 people met at the High Wycombe Judo Centre to celebrate the life of Sensei Poole.
Students and Instructors travelled from all over England to take part in the day and this included a number of former students, some who had not trained for up to 20 years but wanted to show their respect, with some actually venturing back onto the mat. Even people who had other commitments that day managed to pop in to show their respect.

Sensei Poole enjoyed a lifetime of studying martial arts starting in the 1960’s and although his first training was in Judo, Aikido was to become the love of his life. For many years Sensei Poole followed the Aikikai style but in 1993, and with the blessing of Chiba Sensei, he decided to follow his own path incorporating the structure and discipline of Yoshinkan Aikido with the flow and movement of Aikikai. So, it was fitting that the day included a wide cross section of students and instructors from both styles. Sensei Keith Holland 4th Dan, former Chairman of the BAB, led the proceedings and stressed the importance of students practicing the techniques as they were shown, rather than how they might usually do it, as they might learn something new or at least re-affirm that their way worked best for them.

Video of Jacks Memorial course.

Sensei Roy Sheppard 6th Dan Kurai Aikido  –    https://youtu.be/mjUcIp0Zcmo

Sensei Marill Poole 7th Dan UK Shinwakai  –    https://youtu.be/Ny07ddiiJBQ

Sensei Garry Masters 8th Dan Kenshinkai  –     https://youtu.be/Iut0L3GR8ZE

Sensei William Timms 6th Dan Inst.of Aikido  – https://youtu.be/RNJX8RsTxpA

Sensei Dave Thomas 5th Dan UK Shinwakai  –     https://youtu.be/uEnawyPwbuU

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