Today, As I understand it - The whole of English Karate is to unify under a plan formulated by Sport England. GKR, as part of NAKMAS is to be included in this. What makes this interesting, is the fact that there is to be a common set of rules and standards for all governing bodies involved.
Which can only be a good thing.
Does this mean that eventually we will see Black Belt instructors in every Dojo, with recogised teaching qualifications?
I hope so.
The NAKMAS site has a little more information on the Merger
http://www.nakmas.org/index.php
Full Version: English Karate Merger
Eventually? Maybe, if they stop expanding... 
Still, at the moment it is pretty much universal that anyone can buy some gear and set up their own shop. There is nothing to stop someone buying a uniform and a how-to book, sewing a few dozen badges on their sleeves and opening their own dojo. Not that we would necessarily want government regulation because once the bureaucrats get involved it starts costing money. And government decisions aren't based on commonsense.
What would be better would be public awareness of what should be expected in terms of qualifications, but how can that be achieved?
Mick
Still, at the moment it is pretty much universal that anyone can buy some gear and set up their own shop. There is nothing to stop someone buying a uniform and a how-to book, sewing a few dozen badges on their sleeves and opening their own dojo. Not that we would necessarily want government regulation because once the bureaucrats get involved it starts costing money. And government decisions aren't based on commonsense.
What would be better would be public awareness of what should be expected in terms of qualifications, but how can that be achieved?
Mick
Hi guys i was reading some of this on other forums. I believe the organisations will still remain seperate but the coaching and insurance policy may be that you need to have a level 1 coaching or above to run a dojo. They could make it shodan up for instructors but how do you tell the good shodan from the bad, this could lead to 6 month black belts. So i think they still have a long way to go before any final decisions are made.
Freek
Freek
Yup - GKR isnt a member of the AKF for pretty much reasons stated. Didnt seem to slow anything down - just start your own federation.
The nakmas site seems a bit of a joke really for a supposed governing body. At the end of it all do people really ever ask or care about governing bodies? Do you ever ask your mechanic of they are a member of MTAA? if your accountant is a CPA (lol - simply pay $1200 pa for three letters)? What difference will it really make?
The nakmas site seems a bit of a joke really for a supposed governing body. At the end of it all do people really ever ask or care about governing bodies? Do you ever ask your mechanic of they are a member of MTAA? if your accountant is a CPA (lol - simply pay $1200 pa for three letters)? What difference will it really make?
To be honest - Anythings good as long as it improves GKRs credibility over here. GKRs top brass must be in favour of this merger otherwise They'd have split from NAKMAS before this happened.
HURRAHH
A level one instructor in GKR means you have been teaching for one year.
I missed mine by a week - but never did get sent on a first aid course which is supposedly compulsory for all instructors.
What we need is a proper programme of instruction complete with physiology aspects to ensure students aren't inadvertently hurt, and surely this is where a national organisation can help.
A level one instructor in GKR means you have been teaching for one year.
I missed mine by a week - but never did get sent on a first aid course which is supposedly compulsory for all instructors.
What we need is a proper programme of instruction complete with physiology aspects to ensure students aren't inadvertently hurt, and surely this is where a national organisation can help.
Well... I learnt a number of things on a 1-day football coaching course and was reminded of many other things I'd half-forgotten, things which can be applied to karate or any other activity and not just sport-specific.
Mick
Mick
Fangorn,
I believe my old instructor got his level one after a year of teaching - just before he moved to Oz
But what classes a level two - or three instructor?
It's a pity I can't do a risk assessment of a GKR class - it's outside my workplace environment apparently
I believe my old instructor got his level one after a year of teaching - just before he moved to Oz
But what classes a level two - or three instructor?
It's a pity I can't do a risk assessment of a GKR class - it's outside my workplace environment apparently
Level one = one year teaching
Level two = two years teaching
Level three = three years teaching
etc. etc......
That's all there is to it. It's not a qualification; it's just a badly written out (mine was anyway - in black permanent marker that bled everywhere) A3 certificate that is given for time served and states clearly on it that it's only valid within GKR. A bit like their gradings then......
And Tom....I never moved to Oz, it was just another rumour as to why I left!
Level two = two years teaching
Level three = three years teaching
etc. etc......
That's all there is to it. It's not a qualification; it's just a badly written out (mine was anyway - in black permanent marker that bled everywhere) A3 certificate that is given for time served and states clearly on it that it's only valid within GKR. A bit like their gradings then......
And Tom....I never moved to Oz, it was just another rumour as to why I left!
I agree Mick, there are many transferrable skills in coaching - but GKR does not utilise any of the other resources available in the UK.
"And Tom....I never moved to Oz, it was just another rumour as to why I left!"
Hehe, not you Although some of those rumours were pretty out there......... If you'd have turned out to have been taken away by aliens to help Elvis with his kata on mars - I wouldn't have batted an eyelid
Fangorn... You seem to know your stuff on this, What other resources could GKR use over here?
Hehe, not you
Although some of those rumours were pretty out there......... If you'd have turned out to have been taken away by aliens to help Elvis with his kata on mars - I wouldn't have batted an eyelid Fangorn... You seem to know your stuff on this, What other resources could GKR use over here?
The main resource available in the UK, for sports, is a government organisation - SPORT ENGLAND.
They have two programs which would useful to GKR.
Firstly they run a program called RUNNING SPORT.
This is a workshop designed to train people how to run a sports club in the community, including dealing with volunteers, funding and promotion, sports development and local partnership forging with schools etc.
It would give RM's a better understanding of how to run an organisation, if they have never had any business experience.
The second is the National Coaching Certificate. Working with Sport England coaches can be trained, with transferrable skills, and make a real career of coaching. Karate is supposed to be one of the sports signed up to this program, but it does not say which styles.
There is also stuff available on child protection (in which sensei's receive no training currently), and a scheme called Clubmark, which is kind of a kite mark system for sports clubs in the UK.
The website is www.sportengland.org
With the reputation in the UK of GKR this could help us to raise the profile and the image at the same time - benefitting the club as a whole.
They have two programs which would useful to GKR.
Firstly they run a program called RUNNING SPORT.
This is a workshop designed to train people how to run a sports club in the community, including dealing with volunteers, funding and promotion, sports development and local partnership forging with schools etc.
It would give RM's a better understanding of how to run an organisation, if they have never had any business experience.
The second is the National Coaching Certificate. Working with Sport England coaches can be trained, with transferrable skills, and make a real career of coaching. Karate is supposed to be one of the sports signed up to this program, but it does not say which styles.
There is also stuff available on child protection (in which sensei's receive no training currently), and a scheme called Clubmark, which is kind of a kite mark system for sports clubs in the UK.
The website is www.sportengland.org
With the reputation in the UK of GKR this could help us to raise the profile and the image at the same time - benefitting the club as a whole.
The English Karate Governing Body officially dissolved on the 30th October, and the New Unified Governing body met yesterday for the first time.
It's chairman is a chap called Joe Ellis.
What makes this interesting is that Mr. Ellis is also the Chairman of NAKMAS and therefore GKR`s representative in the UK.
Does this signal a downturn for all of the karate schools under the Unified banner, or a good step forward for GKR here in the UK?
It's chairman is a chap called Joe Ellis.
What makes this interesting is that Mr. Ellis is also the Chairman of NAKMAS and therefore GKR`s representative in the UK.
Does this signal a downturn for all of the karate schools under the Unified banner, or a good step forward for GKR here in the UK?
All I can say is....thank God that I am in no way affiliated with any of this. Otherwise I might have to start calling what I do kung fu.
Mike
Mike
'Governing Body' is an interesting turn of phrase.
I take it from Mikes response its by no means official.
Does this mean there'll possibly be a string of giverning bodies such as the debacle that is boxing?
I take it from Mikes response its by no means official.
Does this mean there'll possibly be a string of giverning bodies such as the debacle that is boxing?
No.. there is a single Unified governing body for "traditional karate" now ( as I understand it )
To be honest, the whole thing is such a mess, it'll take years to sort out everything - never mind setting standards within the sport.
Maybe we all would be better off doing freestyle mixed martial arts? I dunno....
I bet a certain mr. sullivan is very happy tho!
To be honest, the whole thing is such a mess, it'll take years to sort out everything - never mind setting standards within the sport.
Maybe we all would be better off doing freestyle mixed martial arts? I dunno....
I bet a certain mr. sullivan is very happy tho!
OK Guys
Once again, I am not trying to bag GKR and don't want others to, however I am trying to understand the club and its people.
I know that these questions are probably covered elsewhere in the forums.... but are you honestly telling me that a group the size of GKR does not provide a range of resource material to their Instructors? I know that I have a very small club (200 students in 5 branches) but even my instructors are given support in terms of marketing material, student retention tools, management tools and administration resources. We have monthly Instructor training on all these skills as well as MA training and certain criteria (eg: 1st aid) must be in force before they become an instructor - and be kept up to date, how do you miss such an important aspect?
The more I hear, the less I understand about GKR.
Once again, I am not trying to bag GKR and don't want others to, however I am trying to understand the club and its people.
I know that these questions are probably covered elsewhere in the forums.... but are you honestly telling me that a group the size of GKR does not provide a range of resource material to their Instructors? I know that I have a very small club (200 students in 5 branches) but even my instructors are given support in terms of marketing material, student retention tools, management tools and administration resources. We have monthly Instructor training on all these skills as well as MA training and certain criteria (eg: 1st aid) must be in force before they become an instructor - and be kept up to date, how do you miss such an important aspect?
The more I hear, the less I understand about GKR.
Im afraid it has pretty much been "heres your keys, heres your first aid kit, buy yourself a receipt book and cash tin and dont forget to page the fees through after class".
After a while they will send you on a St Johns Basic Life Support course with some added elements, and ask you for a police clearance.
Anything changed much anyone?
After a while they will send you on a St Johns Basic Life Support course with some added elements, and ask you for a police clearance.
Anything changed much anyone?
QUOTE
Anything changed much anyone?
Pretty much my experience; although I had to wait 6 months for my 1st aid kit, the same for a 1st aid course and 12 months for a CRB check to be done. The "little red book" came a month after the CRB - the "teaching bible" so to speak...a year after I started teaching.......
Cart before horse springs to mind.
QUOTE
The "little red book" came a month after the CRB - the "teaching bible" so to speak...a year after I started teaching
So is the "little red book" at least useful, I am currently putting together an instructor manual for my instructors and trying to cover everything from how to select a training hall through to lesson plans, grading criteria, management skills and marketing material. Does your little red book do the same type of thing?
The little red book,is Kancho's book on GKR that he published 20 yrs ago...13mths on and have recieved nothing from GKR not even a first aid kit...
On the subject of unification...Joe Ellis is bestest buddies with Joe Estrada Sensei,so the future of Sport England Karate may well suffer some sort of bias along the way Mr Wong
On the subject of unification...Joe Ellis is bestest buddies with Joe Estrada Sensei,so the future of Sport England Karate may well suffer some sort of bias along the way Mr Wong
The "little red book" refers to the GKR instructor manual. The term "little red book", for which I'm going to claim ownership, was coined for the cover being red and as a slant on Mao Zedong's guide to Chinese communism.
Mick
Mick
The Instructors Manual is not the book Kancho wrote over 20 years ago Mr Wong.
It is simply a reference guide as to how to run a standard GKR class, including format and rights and wrongs etc etc. It's just a quick reference guide for instructors (who have been given one!) and in the scheme of things is probably quite useful to newer instructors.
JC
It is simply a reference guide as to how to run a standard GKR class, including format and rights and wrongs etc etc. It's just a quick reference guide for instructors (who have been given one!) and in the scheme of things is probably quite useful to newer instructors.
JC
QUOTE
It is simply a reference guide as to how to run a standard GKR class, including format and rights and wrongs etc etc. It's just a quick reference guide for instructors (who have been given one!) and in the scheme of things is probably quite useful to newer instructors.
Well it is certainly much more than most of us started out with. It is confusing time when you start teaching, any help is welcome and if it at least gives direction, this must be a positive thing.
Hmm, Maybe I am trying to go too far with our manual. People need to feel like they can make their own decisions. It's a fine line between enough information and information overload.
When i first started teaching i had already assisted another instructor for many months in taking the class so already knew of the standard format and was confident in teaching it
however when i took on a class of my own i was not an accredited instructor so i didnt have the "little red book", but my RM (who happens to still be my RM) had handed me and my instructor partner a photocopy of the manual and some other useful info to go by...
Now, after 3 years I have not had any one visit my classes to check if im doing it right.... but i have had comments by other instructors and more recently by my RM as to the high standard of my students at gradings, tournaments and seminars... maybe this is why i havent had a visit? maybe it shows in my students standard that i can teach the syllabus whether i follow the instructions of the book or not.... who knows.... but i can honestly say i only really ever do a "standard" gkr format set by the "little red book" once a month at assessment time. otherwise i do it my own way...
i still dont think ive ever read the manual (little red book)
however when i took on a class of my own i was not an accredited instructor so i didnt have the "little red book", but my RM (who happens to still be my RM) had handed me and my instructor partner a photocopy of the manual and some other useful info to go by...
Now, after 3 years I have not had any one visit my classes to check if im doing it right.... but i have had comments by other instructors and more recently by my RM as to the high standard of my students at gradings, tournaments and seminars... maybe this is why i havent had a visit? maybe it shows in my students standard that i can teach the syllabus whether i follow the instructions of the book or not.... who knows.... but i can honestly say i only really ever do a "standard" gkr format set by the "little red book" once a month at assessment time. otherwise i do it my own way...
i still dont think ive ever read the manual (little red book)
I stand corrected,in my defence i have not recieved anything from GKR in regards to 'Teaching Manuals'. Mr Wong
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28910-2444347.html
Just about says it all really..... I think this turned out just as most people expected.
So where does this leave the future of "english Karate"?
Do we even need any of these governing bodies?
Just about says it all really..... I think this turned out just as most people expected.
So where does this leave the future of "english Karate"?
Do we even need any of these governing bodies?
Here the full statement from SportEngland :-
Sport England suspended funding to Karate England (Karate England 2005 Limited) on 9 August 2006 due to serious concerns about its financial management and governance. Action was taken as soon as these concerns were brought to our attention.
Prior to the suspension of funding, Sport England investment into Karate England in the financial year 2006/07 was £204,000. The total allocated to the sport was £500,000; the remainder will not be released until we are satisfied that our investment will be appropriately spent.
Karate England was formally constituted in November 2005. Due to concerns raised about governance of the NGB by Sport England’s client manager as part of our regular monitoring process, Sport England appointed Deloitte to undertake a review in March 2006. The findings of this review (June 2006) identified a number of immediate actions to improve the governance and financial management of the NGB. These included the appointment of a finance director to review the NGB’s finances in more detail and implement the report’s recommendations. A finance director was duly appointed by Karate England in July 2006.
On Friday 4th August, he raised a number of serious concerns and informed Sport England that in his opinion the NGB could be trading insolvently. A formal decision was taken on 9th August 2006 to suspend the release of any further funding to Karate England (KE).
We are committed to the future of the sport of karate in England and will continue to advise the sport through this process. However, before we can resume funding, Karate England must demonstrate how it intends to meet its financial commitments and produce a clear business plan outlining its proposals for the future. Karate England understands our request and has undertaken to provide this information.
Ends
Sport England suspended funding to Karate England (Karate England 2005 Limited) on 9 August 2006 due to serious concerns about its financial management and governance. Action was taken as soon as these concerns were brought to our attention.
Prior to the suspension of funding, Sport England investment into Karate England in the financial year 2006/07 was £204,000. The total allocated to the sport was £500,000; the remainder will not be released until we are satisfied that our investment will be appropriately spent.
Karate England was formally constituted in November 2005. Due to concerns raised about governance of the NGB by Sport England’s client manager as part of our regular monitoring process, Sport England appointed Deloitte to undertake a review in March 2006. The findings of this review (June 2006) identified a number of immediate actions to improve the governance and financial management of the NGB. These included the appointment of a finance director to review the NGB’s finances in more detail and implement the report’s recommendations. A finance director was duly appointed by Karate England in July 2006.
On Friday 4th August, he raised a number of serious concerns and informed Sport England that in his opinion the NGB could be trading insolvently. A formal decision was taken on 9th August 2006 to suspend the release of any further funding to Karate England (KE).
We are committed to the future of the sport of karate in England and will continue to advise the sport through this process. However, before we can resume funding, Karate England must demonstrate how it intends to meet its financial commitments and produce a clear business plan outlining its proposals for the future. Karate England understands our request and has undertaken to provide this information.
Ends
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