Germany Cup - 11th March 06

BIKO squad training was held in Cambridge on Sunday 5th February 2006, in conjunction with a referee’s course, both of which were well attended. The training course was led by the Associations National Squad Team Manager, Colin Hanson. Several members of the BIKO executive committee were also present. At the end of the training session Colin Hanson and BIKO’s executive committee selected a squad to compete in the Germany Cup in Lubeck.

A squad of nine BIKO fighters were selected to compete in Lubeck, Germany on 11th March 2006. The squad consisted of Juan Moreno (Plymouth), Warren De Ruck (London), Adriano Dulger (London), Fay Wheatley, Philip Brown, Chris Sandy, Andy Taylor and Rob Schofield (all from Kirkburton), and Colin Hanson, the team manager for the BIKO National Squad.

The Germany Cup was an international competition, with nearly 800 competitors. The squad faced competition from Sweden, Holland, Portugal, France and Germany. All of our fighters competed extremely well, returning home with five trophies. Fay Wheatley gained 2nd place in ladies Kata, Colin Hanson also gained 2nd in the men’s over 35 years. Adriano Dulger gained 3rd place in the men’s under 72 kilo’s, Rob Schofield gained 3rd in Boys 15-17 years under 63 kilos, whilst the men’s team (Juan Moreno, Adriano Dulger  and Philip Brown) also gained 3rd place.

The squad received sponsorship from British Gas (organised through Colin Hanson), which paid for their flights, squad tracksuits and competition fees, helping to make the trip possible. There is still some sponsorship money left, which will contribute to the expenses of another competition that Colin is organising later in the year. In October, Colin intends to take a squad to Luxembourg to compete and represent the BIKO National Squad. The next squad training will take place in Cambridge on Sunday 21st May 2006, where selections for Luxembourg will be made.