MASTERS COUNCIL

STEVE ARNEIL   ROSS IANNOCCARO   DOUG JAMES   ALFIE LEWIS  
LEO LIPINSKI  DAVE OLIVER   KEVIN PELL   PETER SPANTON   JOHN WAITE 

A new advisory body has been established following discussions and interviews with Neil Horton, Secretary, Martial Arts Brotherhood. The Masters Council originated from two of the members putting forward  a series of aspects of the martial arts fraternity that could be improved and where Neil Horton had noted a general lack of guidance from other masters in the martial arts community. With this in mind, a Masters Council was forged from the voluntary advise and assistance offered by Steve Arneil, Ross Iannoccaro, Doug James, Alfie Lewis, Leo Lipinski, Dave Oliver, Kevin Pell, Peter Spanton and John Waite.  

Neil Horton comments, ‘ Over the thirty or so years I have been involved within the martial arts there has always been a great void and separation between specific martial forms, whether they be Japanese or Korean or other, especially when different governing bodies or organisations go their own way. The ‘splintering’ of groups has been extremely damaging in certain areas of the martial arts. Politics and business only serves to create further alienation from the true martial framework. So I thought to myself why not bring some of the masters and my friends together to offer support and advice to members of the martial arts fraternity regardless of their political stance or organisation. Thankfully, almost everyone I asked for help readily offered it with no questions asked. I am fortunate to know the council members and to be in contact with them on a regular basis…’  

The Masters Council boasts some of the finest martial artists in the world. Members include Steve Arneil 9^th dan Kyokushinkai, Ross Iannoccaro 6^th dan Ju-Jutsu, Doug James 7^th dan Wado-ryu, Alfie Lewis 8^th dan Freestyle Karate, Leo Lipinski 7^th dan Goju, Dave Oliver 7^th dan Taekwondo, Kevin Pell 8^th dan Ju-Jitsu, Peter Spanton 8^th dan Wado-ryu and John Waite 7^th dan Aikido. Other well known masters have been approached but are not in a position to give an affirmative at the time of this press release. 

So what two areas were identified and how were they going to be addressed by the Masters Council? Firstly, masters have agreed to conduct seminars over the forthcoming months subject to dates and times. The idea is not to have two or three masters teaching the same form or style or the same seminar, but for example, have a Ju-Jitsu seminar in the morning and a Karate session in the afternoon, or a Taekwondo seminar in the morning and an Aikido class in the afternoon. Indeed, there are several alternatives that could be put together. The seminars would be open to all practicing martial artists regardless of their individual background.  

Secondly, all the masters have agreed to be approached by Neil Horton with specific questions or advice required from different members of the public. For instance, there may be an individual that wants advice on Kyokushinkai and therefore Neil Horton would approach Steve Arneil for the answer.  

With such a vast wealth of knowledge and experience to share, the Masters Council will be a great pool of information. It must be said that without the generous and kind nature of the aforementioned masters, there would not be such a body in existence. Also, what a terrible waste of experience and knowledge it would be if the masters were to stay within their own association for whatever motive.

 If you have a question that you would like to ask a master or would like to know more about the Masters Council seminars in the future, please email it to neil.horton@tiscali.co.uk or call Neil direct on 07916 206721.

© Martial Arts Brotherhood 2005