As a club we are a non profit making organisation and all funds raised are to cover our outgoing costs such as insurance, venue rents subsiding courses etc. None of our instructors are paid and donate their time freely to the promotion of Aikido.
All our instructors are fully insured.
New starters are always welcome, we always invest time with beginners and offer one to one tuition with our Dan grade instructors for a number of sessions until the student is confident in joining the classes.
Below are pictures from our grading in November 2016
John Slater
John started practising Aikido in March 1971 with Don and Mary Pybus, founders Manchester and District Aikikai, making John one of first members of the club.
In 1975, he graded to 1st Dan black belt, gaining his 2nd Dan black belt in 1985. John attained his 3rd Dan black belt in 2003.
Margaret Thompson
Margaret started practising Aikido in January 1973 with Don and Mary Pybus, making her the second longest standing member of the club. She gained 1st Dan in 1976, 2nd Dan in 1983 and was awarded 3rd Dan by Alan Ruddock in 2008.
Mike Devereux
Mike started practising with the Manchester and District Aikikai in 1999. He was awarded his 1st Dan with Alan Ruddock in 2004 and his 2nd Dan (also with Alan) in 2008.
Neil Rowson
Neil started practising aikido as a student and then joined the Manchester and District Aikikai in 1994. He was awarded his 1st Dan by Alan Ruddock in 2008.