13 June 2006 Update

Short interim update noting two important items:

Coming up next month are the Pub Charity National Senior, junior, cadet and Children’s Championships and the National Secondary Schools Championships at the Wellington Events Centre on 8,9 and 10 July 2006. See update article for more details. Entry Form available for download.

The national selectors have confirmed their selections for Oceania Karate Championships in New Caledonia on 8-10 September and the WKF World Championships in Tampere, Finland on 13-15 October.

Leo Donnelly
President Karate New Zealand

May 2006 Update

The first quarter of 2006 has passed quickly with lots of activity by member clubs and organizations on the traditional, sport and participation Karate fronts. See the updated Events Calendar current as at 1 May 2006. The Calendar will be updated regularly as regions and member organizations confirm further upcoming events.

Last month in particular was very busy with the NZ Open Championships, Sugihara Cup (with associated traditional karate seminars on Tensho, Seipai, Kururunfa and Seienchin kata), New Zealand Universities Championships and the Prime Minister’s Coaching Scholarship project with Sensei Yukimitsu Hasegawa all taking place in a two week period. See latest update articles.

This month sees a continuation of regional events in Northland, Wellington and Canterbury. On 12-14 May, Kofukan Christchurch host Open Seminars on traditional kata (Matsumura no Bassai and Chantan Yara no Kushanku), traditional Pinan kumite and Tonfa. On 28 May Karate Northland hosts the Northland Regional Champs which this year is an open event. Also on 28 May Karate Wellington holds Round 2 of its inaugural cadet and children’s League.

Next month sees the Canterbury Westland Regional Champs in Christchurch, the National Team Selection Camp (Oceania and Senior world Champs) in Auckland, Central North Island Open Champs in Hamilton and a National Referees Clinic (open to club and regional referees and judges) in Hamilton with World Karate Federation Referees Council member Con Cassis.

Entry forms for the major domestic tournament on our Calendar, the Karate New Zealand National Senior, Veterans, Cadet, Children’s and Secondary Schools Championships (8-10 July at the Wellington Events Centre) will be available shortly. Please note that the National Secondary Schools Championships this year is on the Monday (starting at 9am).

Karate New Zealand has signed a new agreement with SPARC. The new Board (elected at last December’s AGM) is committed to ensuring that Karate New Zealand continues to make positive progress in facilitating the delivery to the New Zealand public of quality instruction and more opportunities to participate in traditional and sport karate. In this regard, it is worth repeating that Karate New Zealand has joined other National Governing Bodies endorsed the National Coaches’ Code of Ethics published by SPARC. The Code mirrors Karate New Zealand’s own Codes under our bylaws but provides an excellent focused summary of what individual New Zealanders have every right to expect from Karate instructors. We all have an interest in all Karate, whether traditional, sport or participation programmes being delivered in a proper manner. Copies of the Code have been posted to all member clubs and organizations. However, if individual members and parents would like a copy please contact us by email (info@karatenz.co.nz ).

Please also see update reports (some we regret belated) on success by Karate New Zealand athletes and instructors in:

• Award of Prime Minister’s Athlete Scholarships for tertiary study;
• Award of Prime Minister’s Coaching Scholarships for several of our leading Kata instructors;
• Award of Prime Minister’s Official scholarship to assist our leading referees to travel overseas to improve their international qualifications;
• Success by Upper Hutt’s Letitia Carr in taking a bronze medal at last November’s 4 th Junior and Cadet World Championships in Cyprus (only the second New Zealander to win a medal at this event);
• Success in Senior Dan grade examinations by several of New Zealand’s leading instructors leading to promotion within their individual World style organizations (we now have several very senior instructors within Karate New Zealand holding 5 th, 6 th, 7 th and 8 th Dan grades in their particular styles which is enabling us to develop world class local coaching resources).

Finally, I note that Karate New Zealand is currently considering proposals for the overhaul and upgrade of our website to improve quality, accessibility and timeliness of communications. The project is to be completed in this financial year. There will be consultation with member clubs and organizations on priorities for improved service. However, we welcome all suggestions (as constructive as you can please) from interested parties – please head “Website Review” and send to info@karatenz.co.nz

Leo Donnelly
President Karate New Zealand