The prevention of violence for children’s/youth groups is an important topic for the EWTO, but this area is also becoming increasing interesting for many instructors and school owners.

Professional knowledge, the necessary sensitivity and above all a workable concept are required for success when working with children and young people. They are even more important when it comes to working with bodies responsible for the welfare of children and adolescents. Sifu Roy Schirdewahn passes on many years of experience during his seminars. In addition to practical knowledge, all the participants are given numerous example letter which any WingTsun school can make use of at once.   

WT-Welt Online conducted a detailed interview with Sifu Roy Schirdewahn

WTW: How and when did you start learning WingTsun?

Sifu Roy:  In August 1988 I was introduced to WT at the Yawara sports school in Kiel by Michael Zack, who was my training partner in Jiu-Jitsu at the time.

WTW: When was the programme “Prevention of violence for children’s/youth groups“ created?

Sifu Roy:  I have been working on this programme since 1996. I developed the new core aspects (safety scoring system, five main learning aims etc.) in 2004.

WTW: Did you develop the programme alone, or did you create it together with somebody?

Sifu Roy:  As part of the “Association of WT schools in Schleswig-Holstein“, which was founded by myself, others involved in the development work were Sifu Frank Schmalz, Sifu Rainer Wagner, Sifu Peter Tietje and Michael Welge. But as I have said, I developed the current programme with the many new aspects alone in 2004.

WTW:  What motivated you to do this?

Sifu Roy:  I started school at the age of five, and was therefore the youngest, smallest and weakest in my class for several years. I therefore know from personal experience what it means if one cannot develop freely and defines one’s own boundaries too closely. In my view all children should therefore be trained in self-defence and self-assertion at an early stage. Moreover, I am the father of two children myself (Robin and Tom Brian), and like all parents I am concerned to make them as safe as possible.

WTW: You say that you defined your limits too closely at the time. What do you mean?

Sifu Roy: I would need to write an entire TG essay to explain in detail. Basically, the majority of people have a lack of self-confidence owing to bad experiences or what they regard as their own physical weaknesses. This leads them to define their limits too closely. They believe that they cannot defend themselves against physically stronger attackers, that they cannot take up every or any rewarding profession, that they cannot achieve a high social status, that they cannot join the circle of friends of particularly popular people, that they are unable to get together with any (attractive) partner, etc.

WTW: From what age do you teach children?

Sifu Roy: It does not depend on their age. I test the children during the trial session. Some can start at once at the age of 4, while some 6 year-olds are not ready yet.

WTW: Is there a special programme for daytime child-care institutions?

Sifu Roy: Yes, I deal with these in detail during my courses.

WTW: Have you also taught school classes in which some were unfocussed and unmotivated, so that they disturbed the whole course?

Sifu Roy: Yes, but this really only happens during the first courses, when one does not have the experience to deal with it. It usually doesn’t happen now.

WTW: What is your recipe for such a situation?

Sifu Roy: Right from the start, it is important to establish rules which must always be obeyed by everyone. This prevents major problems from occurring in the first place. If they arise, individual problem cases are resolved with WT-like adaptability.

WTW: Will there be also be violence prevention courses in 2006?

Sifu Roy: Yes, the following are planned so far:

17.02 Frankfurt
04.03 Zurich
08.04 Langenzell Castle
06.05 Borken Westfalia
16.09 Langenzell Castle

WTW: What are your further goals in WingTsun?

Sifu Roy: I want to complete the WT course of study successfully, and naturally I also want to achieve my next WT grade (5th PG). To this end I am currently taking private lessons from GM Kernspecht on a regular basis. I am very grateful to him for this, and in principle I am relearning the whole WT system from him. I want to pass what I have learned on to many students, and particularly to my instructors. I would like to contribute heavily to the spread of violence prevention programmes so that the EWTO is the market leader in this area too. There is nothing more satisfying than protecting as many children as possible from violence, and their resulting happiness is the greatest reward.

WTW: Many thanks for the informative interview!