Here are the DRAFT details for the upcoming Black Belt Preparation Cycle - for Karate and Kickboxing Candidates for Black Belt (CBBs) and Candidates for Dan Grade (CDGs).
This information applies only to students enrolled at Black Belt Martial Arts Hornsby.
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Additional costs and charges do apply for Prep Cycle and the BB Grading.
Actual costs may vary, but as a guide you will need to pay for:Additional uniforms. Costs vary depending on your choice. A standard Karate Gi costs $70, but Karateka often choose to purchase a high quality Kata or Kumite Gi for their grading. See Store here
Additional safety/kumite equipment, if you do not already own a complete set, you will need to purchase one now. See available equipment here.
A BBMA branded T-Shirt (if you do not already own one). Approx $50.
A Prep Cycle Fee (currently $595 per person). This fee includes your accommodation at the Black Belt Camp (for the BB Candidate only).
For family members, carers and guests - Black Belt Camp Accommodation costs approx $180 per person for 2 nights’ accommodation). Note: Juniors must be accompanied by an adult parent or carer.
Food and drinks during the Black Belt camp (the camp is self catered)
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Black Belt Information Session and Q&A - our official ‘Kick Off’ event, for the September 2026 Black Belt Grading.
Saturday April 18 - from 1pm to 2:15pm - At Hornsby Dojo.
Mandatory Info session for any student wishing to attend the September grading, AND for PARENTS of students under 18 years.
We will tell you everything you need to know about Induction, Prep Cycle and Black Belt Testing.
We’ll also provide lots of time for ‘Q&A’ to discuss anything on your mind related to the Black Belt Grading.
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Hornsby Dojo are hosting a mandatoryBrown advanced belt student assessment event :
- Karate: 12:30pm on Saturday July 18- Kickboxing: Please speak with Sensei Josh regarding your Assessment arrangements.
at the Hornsby dojo.
Bring ALL your sparring gear.
This assessment is designed as an opportunity to review your progress and determine your eligibility for the next induction.
Depending on the outcome, we will let you know if we should aim for the upcoming induction or plan for the following one. -
Please ensure you have the following equipment as a minimum:
Karateka
2 or 3 Karategi’s
A complete set of kumite equipment including properly fitting mouth-guard
Headgear for children under 15 years
Body protector
BBMA-branded T-Shirt
Kickboxers
2-3 KB uniforms
Headgear
A complete set of kumite/safety equipment
All equipment must be in perfect working order (‘as new’), and fit correctly.
Karate uniforms must be perfectly white, correctly fitting and undamaged.
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Formal Black Belt Induction Exam
Karate only: Friday July 24, at HORNSBY Dojo..
Start at 6:30pm
End by 8:30pm (may end a little earlier than that)
Induction Test for Candidates for Black Belt and Candidates for Dan Grade Upgrade.
Eligible advanced brown belt students (testing for Black Belt), and eligible Black Belts (testing for an advanced Dan Grade) will participate in an ‘Induction’ Test.
If this test is passed, candidates will proceed through to the BBMA Black Belt ‘Preparation Cycle’.
Candidates who successfully complete Prep Cycle will progress to the formal Black Belt Exam.
Participants will be taken through a series of testing events, which will be assessed by a panel of senior teachers.
For example, Karate students will be tested on:
Kihon (basics)
Kata (all Kata for their belt level)
eg. Adv Brown Belt CBBs must confidently demonstrate ALL 5 ‘Heian’ KataKumite (sparring)
Students do NOT need to bring along any weapons.
Note for parents: This is a rigorous, formal testing event, which may feel stressful for some students. We expect some nervousness to start :) We set a high standard. Not all students will pass the Induction Exam this time. For those who do not pass (and are asked to try again next time) some level of disappointment, and possible upset, is to be expected. Children must be accompanied by a parent or carer. And we ask that parents/carers remain at the venue for the entire testing event - to provide emotional support and encouragement
Black Belt Prep Cycle and Grading FEE - $595
Your Prep Cycle and Black Belt Test Fee is due for payment immediately after passing your Induction Test.
BBMA Gosford will contact you directly to collect payment.
Induction start times TBA (it will be a late afternoon or evening session):
Session times:
TBAPlease arrive at least 20 minutes before your session is due to start. Allow extra time for bad traffic and unforseen events. You cannot be late to an Induction Exam.
Bring your correctly fitted mouth guard and all your sparring equipment
Ensure your hair is tied back neatly. No hair hanging in your face (if you have a very long fringe it must be tied up out of your face)
Ensure your uniform fits perfectly and is white, clean and fresh
Bring your current belt (previous CBB applicants should wear their black/white CBB belt)
Jewellery and watches (including ‘fitbit’/garmin/fitness watches) are not permitted for safety reasons
Bring a big drink of water
Pls note, actual times are ‘fluid’ as we put the student group first, and need to allow additional times for some student groups.
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When does Prep Cycle run?
Prep Cycle is currently expected to run from approximately Monday July 27 until Sunday Sept 13.
Candidates must attend a minimum of 80% of ALL sessions, during the Prep Cycle Period.
CBBs attend
Twice-weekly CBB Prep Cycle classes at Hornsby Dojo (these replace your previous regular classes), and
Weekly Prep Cycle sessions at Gosford Dojo, and
Weekly Fitness sessions on the Central Coast.
Any specialist seminars, workshops or information night events put on specifically for CBB and CDG candidates
In addition, you may also be invited to attend a Sparring class at Hornsby Dojo. .
Please bring your sparring equipment to every CBB/CDG Prep Cycle class.
Candidates for Karate DAN GRADE upgrade
You will attend your REGULAR classes during Prep Cycle, in addition to:
The Saturday Prep Cycle sessions at BBMA Gosford
All the Weekly Fitness Sessions on Sundays
You may also be invited to attend the Sparring class at Hornsby Dojo.
Please bring your sparring equipment to every CBB/CDG Prep Cycle class.
Kickboxing Candidates
You will attend your REGULAR classes during Prep Cycle, in addition to:
the BBMA GOSFORD Prep Cycle Sessions on Saturdays
All the Weekly Fitness Sessions on Sundays
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CBBs must attend 2 Prep Cycle Classes per week at Hornsby Dojo, plus the weekly Prep Cycle class at BBMA Gosford, plus a weekly Fitness Session (usually held at Adcock Park on the Central Coast).
The Black Belt Belt Prep Cycle for the September 2026 Grading runs from Monday July 27 until Sunday Sept 13.
Mandatory Weekly CBB Prep Cycle Classes at Hornsby Dojo:
Mondays 5:45pm
Wednesdays 5:45pm
The final (full) schedule will be published immediately in the first week of August.
To assist students/families with planning, here is a draft/estimated schedule (subject to change):
Week-day Prep Cycle Classes begin at Hornsby Dojo from Monday July 27 (Monday & Wednesday 5:45pm)
Saturday Prep Cycle Classes begin at Gosford Dojo on Saturday August 8.
August 8
August 15
August 22
August 29
Sept 5
Final Pre-Test - Sunday September 13, at Gosford Dojo. You must attend and pass this test in order to attend the BB Grading Weekend.
BB Grading Weekend - Sept 18, 19, 20.
Sunday Fitness Sessions at Adcock Park on the Central Coast begin on Sunday August 9.
These will continue weekly every Sunday
EXCEPT Sunday August 23rd (when we are holding the Central Coast cup Tournament).
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Black Belt Candidates for Dan Grade must attend at least 2 x regular Black Belt classes per week at Hornsby Dojo, plus the weekly Prep Cycle Fitness Sessions, Plus the weekly scheduled Prep Cycle Classes at Gosford Dojo.
See CBB Prep Cycle Schedule for Gosford Prep Cycle Sessions and Fitness Session details.
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More info HERE
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During Prep Cycle, Candidates attend weekly fitness sessions on the Central Coast.
Fitness Sessions will be held at Adcock Memorial Park in Gosford:
Wear running gear, a BBMA-Branded t-shirt and your karate/KB belt. Proper running shoes must be worn.
Wear a hat and sunscreen, and a towel. We recommend bringing a yoga mat if you have one.
A BBMA-branded t-shirt is MANDATORY.
It’s mandatory to wear your BELT (Karate/KB).
Please note: the Fitness Sessions all start at 7:30am SHARP.
If you are running, ALL runners will start their timed run at exactly 7:30am.
Please arrive EARLY - to find parking (it’s a busy park - our advice is to get their early to secure a spot) and warm yourself up properly before your run/workout.
To qualify to enter a Black Belt Preparation Cycle, Candidates under 50 years must demonstrate they can achieve the following fitness requirements:
Required Technical Standard:
Squat kicks = a low squat followed immediately by a high, strong front kick>
Kicks must be at least chest high for students under 35 years, and at least waist high for everyone else.Sit-ups = hands/wrists must pass over knees. Focus on squeezing abs and not ‘rocking’.
Partner assistance (eg. someone holding your feet) is NOT permitted.Push ups = ALL on toes, straight back, chest down to the floor (a ‘fist’ distance from chest to floor).
Note - if you are under 50 years old, and cannot perform an exercise technically correctly and to the required standard due to an injury/medical issue, please include this information with your Black Belt Application. We will follow the advice of your health care team - modifying or replacing exercises/movements as recommended.
Safety First:
You will not be asked to perform any activity if it is unsafe for you do do so, due to an illness or injury.
Older students and students with injuries under management by a heath care professional are encouraged to take personal ownership of their own Martial Arts journey.
Please work closely with your health care team to develop a safe training plan - and take ownership for following this advice.
Please keep Sensei Josh in the loop on all medical necessary modifications or unsafe activities. Sensei Josh will communicate your safe training plan to the wider Prep Cycle/Black Belt teaching team.
The 5k Run:
The ultimate goal is to run 5k (equal to approximately 3 laps of Adcock Park) in under 30 minutes. Actual targets/times vary by age.
2 laps of Adcock Park equate to roughly 3.3 kilometers.
As an example, an 11 year old will need to run approx. 3.3 kilometres, or 2 laps of Adcock Park, within 23 minutes.
The Fitness Component (Pushups, Sit-ups, Squat Kicks):
This is done immediately after the run, with no (or minimal) break time.
The ultimate goal is 100 of each exercise (pushups, sit-ups, and squat kicks), all to be completed within a total time of 10 minutes.
As an example, for an 11 year old, the target is 60 sit ups, plus 60 push ups, plus 60 squats, all to be performed within a 6 minute period.
Put another way, an 11 year old will be allocated 6 minutes, to get all of their fitness exercises done.
