Karate Issues - Karate England Statement
The statement reproduced below has also been circulated in emails and reproduced on various websites- it makes for interesting reading!
12th April 2008
T
Karate England
Karate in England, Karate Sport England and the English Karate Alliance have been working together since 2007 with the shared aim of uniting all English Karate Associations within a democratic and Sport England recognised and supported national governing body
which is structured for the greatest benefit of all English Karateka .
Our three bodies have a combined membership of around 70,000 and represent the majority of Karateka in England. We have always understood the importance of dialogue with other groups and have consistently made every effort to negotiate a united approach to achieving our aims and will continue to do so.
We initially operated under the title of NNGBEK which was chosen to comply with company law following the winding up of Karate England in 2006. This required that any name resembling Karate England should not be used unless permission was obtained from the Courts. This permission was granted at a hearing at Middlesbrough County Court on
29 February.
It was therefore decided at our meeting on 27 March to revive the name Karate England, as this states simply and without ambiguity its function and location.
Karate England has now begun the process of establishing itself as the National Governing Body (NGB) for its members. It is our aim to:
- offer appropriate NGB facilities to our members with minimum financial burden
- achieve recognition and support as a National Governing Body by Sport England
- achieve unification for all English Karate Associations and Federations
- ensure that all our members have the freedom to enjoy national and international relationships with karate bodies of their choice, without unfair or unreasonable restrictions and in a way which reflects the Olympic Spirit of the pursuit of sporting relationships amongst citizens of all nations as embodied in the Olympic Charter.
We will continue to notify all developments on our own websites or on the Karate England website.
In discussion with Sport England officers it has been made clear that they would look favourably on proposals for a new Governing Body which:
i) Is self-sustaining and would not need Sport England grant monies to operate the essential administration.
ii) Has robust systems of instructor and club accreditation and registration.
iii) Is seeking UKCC or equivalent status for qualified instructors.
iv) Have ambitious plans to increase participation in Karate over the next three years.
v) Can address the challenges for encouraging participation in target groups such as the over 50’s.
Our Vision/Key Outcomes
In three years time there will be:
- 10.000 new participants
- 1,000 accredited clubs
- 1,000 Governing Body recognised instructors
- Competition success at European and World level
- A positive public profile for Karate
- A Governing Body which is respected and has influence with Sport England, other agencies and government
Realising the Vision
To realise the vision we will need:
- A unified Governing Body which leads Karate as a whole and supports the work of associations and clubs and does not dictate to them.
- An effective governance and operating structure using volunteer and professional expertise within Karate.
- A self-sustaining financial basis for Governing Body operation.
- An expansion plan which will build on Sport England recognition and utilise partnership funding from Sport England to increase participation in Karate across the country.
Proposals
We propose that the Governing Body for English Karate be democratically elected by all those practising Karate in the country. This would entail a new audit of membership, which would update the figures produced for Karate England 2005, the previous Governing Body.
This audit would also provide the baseline for the increased membership target and importantly establish how many members belong to each association and the breakdown by age, gender and ethnicity.
This database would take some time to produce and a template would be provided and assistance given for associations to return their figures.
In the interim we propose a board be established for twelve months from January 2008. This board would be composed of representatives from the main groupings of Karate Associations in England:
- Karate in England
- Karate Sport England
- English Karate Alliance
- English Karate Federation
It is felt that the numbers of Karateka represented (approx 70K) by the first three groups who have already agreed to unify, are sufficient to justify the formation of a Governing Body which can be recognised by Sport England, but it is hoped that during 2008, the unification of all English Karate can be achieved.
Finance
To finance the operation of the new Governing Body it is proposed to ask all associations to pay a £250-£500 (according to size) annual membership and 30-50p per individual member (according to final budgetary requirements).
This income would be used to create a small office and part time staff, supported by expert volunteers from the Karate family.
All expenditure would be open to scrutiny and the budget would be set in a transparent manner. A Governing Body website would be established so that communication to associations and clubs can be quick and efficient.
Progress to date
- A new constitution has been drafted and is currently being revised with the aid of a solicitor from Karate.
- Financial rules and a draft budget are being prepared with the help of a financial expert from Karate.
- An instructor accreditation programme is being progressed for discussion with Sport England and Sports Coach UK.
- A club accreditation programme is being progressed for discussion with Sport England and Sports Coach UK.
- A venue has been provisionally booked on 15/16 March for the 2008 English Championships, (16 years and over) and venues are currently being checked for either September or December (under 16s).
Your views are important
It is proposed to fully develop these outline proposals by early December prior to the 14th December meeting with Sport England.
The views and support of all English Karate associations are sought so that the most positive case possible can be made to Sport England.
Case studies showing how Karate is reaching out to all communities and all ages and abilities can be powerful evidence in making the case for Karate.
All contributions from associations showing the positive effects of Karate are welcome and ideas about how we can help new clubs to be formed to extend participation will help in the bid to obtain early recognition of a Governing Body for English Karate by Sport England.
Karatesite makes two comments.
It is difficult for us to comprehend how 'Karate England' could 'ensure that all our members have the freedom to enjoy national and international relationships with karate bodies of their choice, without unfair or unreasonable restrictions' as statute 21.9 and its implications are a WKF principle and as such must be strictly adhered to if you intend to follow the W.K.F. route which is needed for inclusion into the Olympics.
Karate England also do not have the W.K.F. mandate. That is currently held by the E.K.F. and they seem to be gaining strength every day.
Karatesite will keep you posted of any developments.
