In a stunning turn of events, a former executive of the British Aikido Board (BAB) has come forward with a confession that sheds light on internal disputes and alleged misconduct within the organization. This revelation has prompted calls for all members of the BAB and Sport England to take notice. The controversy, which has been simmering since 2004, involves accusations of false claims and the mishandling of complaints by the BAB leadership. The apology, issued in August 2009, has been accepted by Henry Ellis, one of the last British Aikido pioneers, but the issues raised continue to resonate within the Aikido community.
The conflict centers around the BAB's handling of a dispute involving Henry Ellis, Derek Eastman, and Jack Poole. Ellis and Eastman, both pioneers of British Aikido, resigned from the BAB after feeling that their concerns about Poole's claims of grade and lineage were not taken seriously. The situation escalated when the BAB was instructed by Sport England to issue a public apology to Henry Ellis in 2004, which they failed to do adequately.
A former BAB Communications Officer has come forward with an apology to Henry Ellis, admitting to spreading false information that originated from within the BAB's executive team. The officer's statement implicates Shirley Timms, the BAB Secretary at the time, as the source of the rumors and acknowledges that the executive team did not consider the issue with Poole significant, instead labeling Ellis as a troublemaker.
The controversy has raised questions about the integrity of the BAB and its leadership. The organization's Code of Conduct, which states that no member should bring Aikido into disrepute, appears to have been violated by the very individuals tasked with upholding it. The former executive's confession suggests a culture of protecting false claims and silencing dissent within the BAB.
Sport England, which oversees the recognition of national governing bodies for sports in England, has been informed of the situation. The involvement of Sport England highlights the potential implications of the controversy beyond the Aikido community, as it touches on the governance and ethical standards expected of sports organizations.
The revelations from the former BAB executive underscore the need for transparency and accountability within sports governing bodies. The manipulation of meeting minutes and the disregard for member concerns can erode trust and damage the reputation of the sport as a whole.
The British Aikido Board controversy serves as a cautionary tale for sports organizations. It emphasizes the importance of addressing complaints fairly, maintaining accurate records, and upholding ethical standards. As the Aikido community moves forward, it is essential to learn from these events to ensure that the values of the martial art are reflected in its governance.
For further reading on the British Aikido Board and the sport of Aikido, please visit the following sources:
KyuShinDo is not a Martial ARt
Kenshiro Abbe Sensei and his lifes dedication to the study and philosophy of KyuShinDo. The sites are the very popular ` KyuShinDo Blog ` and the ` Kenshiro Abbe Blog `. It has taken a great deal of effort to collate the history and facts that we trust will one day be of benefit to future generations who will see through the fog of fraudulent claims by so many of some kind of association with Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in what can only be an attempt to gain some form of credibility.
British Aikido Board - Respect & Disrespect
15th/May2007: Today I received a large package from Mrs Pat Woods, the daughter of my old friend William `Bill` Woods who sadly passed away last year. I opened the package to a gold mine of material from as far back as 1952. Old newspaper cuttings / old and rare magazines. Photos of Abbe Sensie and Otani Sensie and many others.
British Aikido Board National Nepotism Seminar 2004
The British Aikido Boards appalling record on British Aikido history is examined by Henry Ellis co-author of Positive Aikido and a direct student of the legendary Budo master Kenshiro Abbe Sensei.
