HISTORY

Our current principal instructor, Mr Ross Taylor, established the West Coast Aikido Academy of Western Australia in 1993.

Taylor Sensei had trained in a number of martial arts including karate, judo, kali/escrima and boxing prior to starting aikido in 1987. He has since trained with many aikido instructors throughout Australia and Japan.

Taylor Sensei's first aikido instructor, Mr Yoshiaki Unno Sensei (7th Dan), was a student of Minoru Mochizuki Sensei (10th Dan). Mochizuki Sensei, a direct student of Aikido's found Morihei Ueshiba O'Sensei, had trained in many of the classical martial arts of Japan and also studied budo whilst stationed in Manchuria. He had intensive training from the founders of aikido, judo and modern karate.

Mochizuki Sensei subsequently developed his own martial art system known as Yoseikan Budo primarily teaching aikido, karate, judo, jujitsu, and kobudo (weapons).

Taylor Sensei had a vision of continuing the Yoseikan tradition as taught to him by Unno Sensei and Mochizuki Sensei. Subsequently he opened the West Coast Aikido Academy of Western Australia in July 1993 at the Kingsley Community Centre in the northern suburbs of Perth.

Unfortunately our stay at this venue was short lived and we had to relocate. Consequently, early in 1994, we moved to the Warwick Senior High School, only a short distance away. By late 1994 however the student base had grown and we did not have adequate space or appropriate facilities for aikido training.

We began training at the Greenwood YMCA in around February 1995 and remained there until 1999. By then the student base had grown considerably and training days had increased to three sessions per week. Unfortunately, by the middle of 1999 the YMCA was in financial difficulties and could not continue at that site. Consequently, we had to search for a new location.

Fortunately, the YMCA allowed us to stay on until we were able to find alternative accommodation. Late in 1999 we were able to acquire space at the nearby High Flyers Gymnastics Academy in Wangara where we have been ever since. With its purpose built sprung floor and plenty of room this venue is ideal for aikido.

On November 14 2005 the Academy began classes at it’s purpose build facility in Wangara. The new facility provides students with a traditional dojo setting that is more conducive to good training. It also has more days and times which gives students the opportunity to attend more classes at a more suitable time.
 

Last updated: Thursday, 17 July 2008 by Brad Palmer
Web site design by Lyn McCarthy