Well, she must be doing something right because this year’s meet on Saturday will welcome 145 players in total, including 67 from the Great Lakes - 57 more locals than 10 years ago.

The Forster State Invitational Championships will involve eight clubs from Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter. 

Categories include sparring, technical breaking, self defence, creative and traditional poomse and weapons. 

Amongst the plethora of 20 trophies and awards judged by guest masters on the day will be two new awards. These are the Aunty Mae Player of the Day, in honour of Worimi’s late elder Alice Mae Simon who passed away last year, and Ruth Klein, who will be added to the honours list along with her husband the late Dr Doug Klein, in recognition of their services to the community.

“They touched so many lives in the community,” Fay said.

Fourteen-year-old Daniel Summers is just one of Fay’s students striving to excel at the meet. He will compete with an original creative poomse of synchronised moves choreographed by Fay. Daniel is currently a junior three stripe blackbelt who will attempt his first ‘dan’ grading in June. He already has a breadth of medals under his belt and was Great Lakes’ sports citizen of the year at the age of 13. 

Alongside four-year-old peewee white belt player Payton Manton, fellow ‘peewee’ and yellow belt Jarrah Russell will also take part. Jarrah’s big brother, 11-year-old Levi Russell will also be competing.  As Aunty Mae’s great grandchildren, the participation of the Russell boys turns their involvement into a real family affair.

The invitational will take place on Saturday May 28 at the Forster Campus hall from 8am. Spectators are welcome for the cost of a gold coin donation at the door.