There are lots of other martial art clubs around so what makes DTA special?
A UNIQUE MARTIAL ART, SPORT & CLUB: DTA is the only actively competing Tomiki Aikido Club in the Republic Of Ireland and is currently the home of the National Senior and National Junior Sport Aikido squads. All instructors and coaches have experience competing at UK National, European and World Championship level. DTA also has the only female Tomiki Aikido instructor in Ireland and two time UK National Randori Champion.
INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED DAN GRADE QUALIFICATIONS As you will be investing time and effort on your journey with us towards your first-degree black belt (Shodan) it is important that you are rewarded with an internationally recognised dan grade qualification. DTA is affiliated to the British Aikido Association (BAA) and recognised by the Japanese Aikido Association (JAA). Dan grade examinations are undertaken only at BAA/JAA approved grading events and if successful you will receive a dan grade certificate (menjo) certified by the BAA and have your grade registered with the JAA. You will be eligible to apply for a dan grade certificate (menjo) certified and issued by the JAA from Japan also.
HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUCTION FROM PROGRESSIVE AND ACTIVE PLAYERS/COACHES Our chief instructors and assistant coaches are active competitors at UK National, European and World Championship level. In addition to running our dojo, our instructors also train with and are regular members of BAA UK National teams, bringing back the latest training methods, technical guidance, advice, and experience from some of the UK and Japan's best instructors for the benefit of our members.
GREAT ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING Our dojo is a welcoming place with a mutually supportive atmosphere in which our members can develop themselves and achieve their training goals. Everyone looks forward to attending classes because we are serious about what we do but still have fun when we train.
MIX OF GRADES & GENDERS We have a mix of grades and abilities on the mat, from ungraded red belts (new beginners), through yellow, orange, green, to more experienced blue, brown and a number of dan grades, female and male. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player you will have the support you need to progress quickly and develop your skills.
AGE-SPECIFIC MARTIAL ART TRAINING PROGRAMMES We run separate classes for specific age groups; Adult (16+), Youth (10-16) as well as Juniors (6-10). This ensures that younger students are working with other students who should be at a reasonably similar level of physical, mental and social maturity.
PERSONAL ATTENTION Class sizes are relatively small (between 8 - 12 students) in a typical class, and with a number of dan grades training in each class, you will have much hands on guidance if you need it.
VALUE FOR MONEY There are no long-term contracts imposed. Classes for adults are two hours in length. Discounts are available for the unemployed and full-time academic students. The club is run on a not-for-profit basis and all income goes towards running costs of the club.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES There are regular classes twice a week for Adults, Youths and Juniors, with some additional classes for competitive players and coaches on weekends running up to competition.
COMPETITION TRAINING For those who want to compete, you will have access to squad training sessions in addition to supplementary technical training in the run-up to all competitions.
INCLUSIVE We are a community focussed dojo and our members, parents, guardians, and supporters become part of our extended DTA family. This extends outside regular classes into traveling together to seminars, competitions, external examinations and a few social outings. These give our members and supporters the opportunity to bond in more social setting and get to know each and the wider Tomiki Aikido community better.
OUTWARD LOOKING Every few months we to travel to BAA or SAF Seminars in the UK and we frequently invite guest instructors from other schools/dojos/associations (National & International) to provide insights and a broader experience to our members; and a way in which they can compare their progress and level of instruction to those of other clubs and dojo.