Dear SKIA members, family, and friends,

 

It is with much pleasure that we are the hosts for Shotokan Week 2025. As you would be aware, the event is being held in Melbourne from Tuesday September 30^th to Saturday October 4^th, 2025.

 

The event will begin with instructor training to occur on Tuesday September 30^th, followed by the seminar from Wednesday October 1^st to Friday October 3^rd, and finishing with the National Championships on Saturday October 4th. 

 

This year’s seminar will featuring guest instructors Shuseki Shihan Murakami (8th Dan, SKIF Chief Instructor and 3 time SKIF World Champion) and Sensei Fumitoshi Kanazawa (6th Dan, Resident Honbu Instructor , SKIF World Champion and 7 times All Japan SKIF Kumite Champion). In addition, the seminar will include sessions conducted by some of Australia's most high profiled and talented instructors.

 

SW 2025 will be held in one of Melbourne’s Super Cities – Caroline Springs (it has an approximate population of 26,000). 

 

The venue for all events (i.e., instructors training, seminar and national championships) is the Caroline Springs Leisure Centre. To get a sense of the venue, see the digital flythrough below (a very accurate representation of the venue).

Caroline Springs Leisure Centre fly through | The Caroline Springs Leisure Centre works are progressing well! You'll soon see the steel frames going up. Check out what the final construction will... | By City of Melton | Facebook

 

Our choice of location is excellent for visitors, as Caroline Springs is a one stop shop in terms of easy accessibility to the venue, accommodation, shopping and eateries – all within walking distance. Caroline Springs also has quick access to the airport with travel time approximately 20-25 minutes. 

 

There is choice of accommodation close to the venue. The Quest Apartments and Mercure Hotel and Apartments are a 3 and 5 minute walk respectively to the venue and are located right in the hub of Caroline Springs. These accommodation options are situated near, or on, Lake Caroline (the largest lake outside of Albert Park) and are a 1-2 minute walk to the Caroline Springs Shopping Centre which has speciality shops and 3 supermarkets. We are currently organising discount codes with these venues, but are aware that competitive pricing can be found through your own searches.

 

We therefore provide the links to the Quest Apartments and Mercure Hotel below as we understand many of you are keen to already organising accommodation and travel plans.

 

Quest Apartments Caroline Springs

Quest Caroline Springs | Caroline Springs Serviced Apartment | Caroline Springs Accommodation

 

Mercure Hotel Caroline Springs

Mercure Melbourne Caroline Springs – Part of the WestWaters Hotel & Entertainment Complex

 

Punthill Apartments (located a 5 minute drive from the venue) is another option that is situated above a series of eateries and IGA supermarket and is located on Springlake (another picturesque location). A link to Punthill is provided below.

Caroline Springs Hotel Accommodation | Punthill Apartment Hotels

 

We will provide further updates regarding the training timetable and social events in the coming weeks. This will be followed by the opening of the registration portal for SW and the national championships 2025.

 

We look forward to seeing you in Melbourne!

 

Gery Karantzas (Chair, Local Organising Committee SW 2025)