The West Midlands Aikido Association
The West Midlands Aikido Association (W.M.A.A.) was formally known as the Washi Aikido Federation and has been an established Aikido club for over 40 years, with Roger Tabberer 5th Dan as the Principal Coach.
Roger Tabberer had been running very successful aikido courses and classes in the West Midlands for over 35 years. However in July 2007, due to personal commitments, he very boldly decided to step down as principal coach of the West Midlands Aikido Association in order to further the future of the Association, and continue its goals of practising good and powerful aikido.
The West Midlands Aikido Association History
In the September of 1987, Roger Tabberer spent five weeks with Morihiro Saito Sensei 9th Dan, in Iwama Japan as a uchi deshi (Live in Student). He trained and lived in O’Sensei’s dojo and during this time his entire approach to Aikido changed, to the extent whereby Iwama style Aikido became the backbone of the W.M.A.A. style of teaching. This teaching and knowledge that Roger Tabberer learnt has been passed down to each pupil and now has become standard practice with in our dojos.
The current head coach and chairman of the West Midlands Aikido Association (W.M.A.A.) Richard Power, followed this path and enrolled as Uchi Deshi in the Iwama dojo, he has also enrolled as uchi deshi in Gothenburg Aikido Club in Sweden headed by Ulf Evenas 8th Dan as well as Aikido of San Leandro Dojo in the USA headed by Pat Hendricks 7th Dan. Both who were top students to Morihiro Saito Sensei and prominent figures in Aikido.
The Style
The style of Aikido practised by the West Midlands Aikido Association is Iwama style as taught by Saito Sensei. Iwama style Aikido teaches strong basics, accuracy of technique and posture and also its constant use of weapons (Aiki Ken and Aiki Jo).
The Club Itself
The West Midlands Aikido Association standards are kept high due to a strict syllabus that is enforced by all the W.M.A.A. club instructors. Every W.M.A.A. Club instructor is taught to a high level and have been approved by the Club to teach. All club instructors have obtained British Aikido Board coaching certificates and Dan ranks from either the W.M.A.A. or the Aikikai.
Training in our dojos is done in a friendly non competitive atmosphere. This allows people both new and old to the art to learn easily and safely. Everyone is welcome no matter how old or young, or what size or shape they are. Aikido can suit all.
The West Midlands Aikido Association is a none profit making organisation ensuring the cost of lessons and courses are kept low. This we believe will encourage people into learning the art of Aikido, by knowing the people who are teaching them are doing it for the passion they have for the Art, and not for themselves.
The West Midlands Aikido Association are proud full members of the British Aikido Board who are the only governing body for Aikido in the UK.
