The George and Norma Simcox Pink Hakama Award, has an interesting little tale behind it.

The intent of the award itself, is to keep alive the memory of two wonderful people who were great friends of Ryurei Aikido and many others in the International Aikido community. George Simcox Sensei was the Chief Instructor of the Virginia Ki Society for more than twenty years. Norma was his wonderful wife who, although did not practice Aikido was a great practioner and developer of Ki Development.

The Virginia Ki Society, the Kingston Ki Society and Ryurei Aikido had a very special relationship. With both George Simcox Sensei and Bill Bickford Sensei being especially close friends of one another and of Peter Bussell. (Ryurei Aikido)

In July 2000 Norma Simcox sadly passed away after a strong and brave battle with cancer.

                                                                                               

     
                                          

                                                

 

 

George Simcox had also had an ongoing fight with cancer for several years and was starting, after Norma's passing, to seem to start to succumb to it too.

In September he made plans for an aikido tour around several US states and to Ontario Canada, culminating with a special joint seminar with Peter Bussell at Ryurei Aikido in Ottawa..
About a week or so before the commencemnt of that tour George was not well and emailed to say he would not be able to make it.

I had decided, at the September event, to make a special announcement to honour the memory of Norma, at the dinner we would have had at that seminar. Instead all was thrown into disarray with George's cancellation. I emailed George and told him of my plans and asked for his approval of it. I then waited and waited for a reply, I thought he had been offended or something. No, George wrote back to say he had been too choked up to reply for two days, but he was absolutely delighted at the proposal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of weeks later, I awoke suddenly at about 2:00am and it was clear to me why I wanted the little pink Hakamas. My mind told me of the idea of the "Norma Simcox Pink Hakama Award."

We would have one for each of the dojos. Virginia Ki Society, Kingston Ki Society and Ryurei Aikido. The award would be for a student in each dojo, as selected by the chief instructor of that dojo, who had shown the most improvement in their understanding and demonstrable ability in Ki Development exercises over the past year.

The Hakamas were to be kept in each dojo to remind everyone of Norma and her contribution to Ki Development. From 2001 on the award has been called "The George and Norma Simcox Pink Hakama Award."

Each October, approximately on the anniversary of George Sensei's passing, the years recipient is announced.
It is Ryurei Aikido's hope that this award will continue to be presented annually for ever, to remember George and Norma and all the work and support they gave to the Ki Society and Aikido in general. Two wonderful people who are greatly missed

Recipients of
The George and Norma Simcox Pink Hakama Award