ACT Region Training Schedule

Adults & Juniors (ages 16-18)  |  Children (ages 8-15) | Starting Training | Joining our Club

Adults' & Juniors' (ages 16-18) classes

AKI Membership fees (annual fee)

Prior to participating in any Aikido Kenkyukai International (AKI) dojo, you must be a member - please refer to Joining our Club. The AKI annual adult membership fee is AUS$80, which allows training in any AKI Dojo internationally. There is a 3 month cooling off period in which you can get a refund on your membership fee. An AKI annual fee for Juniors aged 16-18 years old costs $40. Children under the age of 16 require a once-off (i.e. non-annual) $10 membership.

Training fees (per class)

Nominal training fees ranging from $5 to $15 per class applies, depending on the dojo. Junior training fees are kept to a minimum. Please talk to your instructor about the training fee. The training cost at Erindale is lowest, but a Police Citizen's Youth Club (PCYC) entry fee also applies. 

For more information on individual dojos, refer to the ACT Region Dojos page.

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Children's Classes

These classes are for children aged 8 to 15 years old and are only held during school terms.  

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Starting Training

New starters can join a class at any time or join a beginners course, which are held several times a year. The instructor will accommodate you in the class and ensure you are welcomed. It is recommended that you attend one of our dojos and watch a class before participating. You must also join our club prior to participating (there is a 3 month cooling off period in which you can get a refund on your membership fee if you decide not to continue).

General fitness

While Aikido makes some physical demands of its practitioners, every effort is made to cater for individual needs. The instructor should be consulted at all times. However, it is reasonably aerobic and not recommended for people with severe medical conditions, such as heart problems. There are no restrictions regarding age or gender.

Clothing and other equipment

Regular practitioners usually purchase a white Judo-style gi, which consists of a jacket and trousers. It is best for beginners to train in long trousers, such as tracksuit pants, as much of the training is carried out on the knees. As students advance, weapons training is practised, and students are expected to purchase relatively inexpensive wooden weapons.

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Joining Aikido Kenkyukai

We must meet industry obligations...

Aikido Kenkyukai is a member of the the Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA) and must operate under a National Code of Practice. Instructors are MAIA accredited and must undertake an Australian Sports Commission approved National Coaching Accreditation Scheme. Instructors must complete a course of modules in general sports coaching as well as martial arts specific coaching, and agree to abide by the Instructor's Code of Ethics. The course modules include such things as planning, group management, sports safety (including harassment and discrimination education), sports psychology, exercise analysis, legal responsibilities, and martial arts weapons teaching.

MAIA requires that a Membership Agreement be completed by any person seeking martial arts instruction in order to manage risk and legal responsibilities.

So to participate in our club...

By abiding by the MAIA requirements, participants can feel confident in our instructors and the Aikido Kenkyukai organisation.  In over 20 years of practice, Aikido Kenkyukai has never had a major accident or incident. However, the MAIA National Code of Practice requires that a Membership Agreement be completed by any person seeking martial arts instruction. Please see our letter of introduction for further information.

For membership to ACT-based dojos, we require the following forms to be completed and handed to the instructor, along with your membership fee, prior to participating (NSW dojos require the same terms - please contact the instructor in NSW dojos):

1. Aikido Kenkyukai Membership Form & Martial Arts Contract (MS Word)
2. Pre-participation Questionnaire (MS Excel format)

Please note that there is a cooling-off period for membership fees of 3 months. All members are required to abide by the Aikido Kenkyukai Code of Conduct.

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Updated on 29 October, 2002
Email  info@aikidocanberra.com

Original site design:  Caronne Carruthers-Taylor