We are honoured to invite you to the 2024 NZ National Karate Championships. This year, the event will feature a new format: open events in the 10-11 and 12-13-year-old divisions, allowing development and intermediate players to compete against premier players. The New Zealand Nationals is the pinnacle event for Karate practitioners in New Zealand, providing a unique opportunity to test their skills against the best in the country.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Venue:  Auckland Netball Centre, 7 Allison Ferguson Drive, St Johns, Auckland 1072

Dates:  Friday 6th September and Saturday 7th September 2024

Start Times:  Friday: The competition starts at 5:30 pm;

                          Saturday: The competition starts at 8:30 am

Times are to be confirmed once draws and the timetable are made. 

Referees Briefing:  Friday 6th September - 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm 

Coaches Briefing:  Friday 6th September - 5:00 pm to 5:15 pm for Friday events (tbc);

                                     Saturday 7th September - 8:00 am to 8:15 am (tbc)

Grades:                   Premier divisions for Cadets to Super Veterans

                                 Open divisions for 10 - 11 YO and 12 - 13 YO

Link to Sportdata information. Sportdata is open now for clubs to register.

Registration for competitors, coaches and referees closes on 16th August to allow for the draws and the timetable to be made two weeks before the event. This allows competitors and their families to allow accommodation and travel times to be made in advance.

Referee Briefing:

Several New Zealand referees must participate in the NZ Nationals to meet their two national competition quotas. We will conduct practical and theoretical sessions to prepare for the National Championships. Referees must email their intention to referee to the secretary at secretary.coachingcouncil@karatenz.org.nz and karatercnz@gmail.com by Monday, August 12th. This ensures they are registered in Sportdata before the deadline.

Referees will have practical and theory sessions at the competition venue on Friday, September 6th, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Additionally, time will be allocated for any necessary upgrades or examinations.

Coaches Briefing:

All coaches and managers must register in Sportdata for this event and provide a passport-like photo for a lanyard (KNZ will provide this). Before registration, they must complete the updated Coaches examination. The Karate New Zealand (KNZ) Online Competition Coaches Level 1 Examination is mandatory for anyone assuming coaching or manager roles at the 2024 New Zealand National Karate Championships. To qualify, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 17 out of 20 correct answers. Additionally, eligible candidates must be at least 16 years old at the time of the examination.

Link to Online Coaches Examination.

Registration and Competitor Entry:

To participate, clubs and regions must register with Sportdata and sign off on the Health & Safety document. This requirement is in place because the KNZ receives registration requests from other countries. However, since this is the NZ National Championships, only New Zealand clubs and regions are eligible to register.

Athletes must be registered with a legitimate club or region. This requirement ensures that competitors genuinely practice Karate, which is an essential part of the Health & Safety protocol.

Athletes will initially be placed on a waiting list in Sportdata to register for the competition. Before being confirmed for participation, each competitor must upload a passport-style photo to their club’s Sportdata profile. Additionally, please ensure that the athletes' weights and dates of birth are accurate at the time of registration.

Requirement for a passport-like photo:

1. General Rules:

   • The colour portrait was taken within the last 6 months.

   • No selfies.

2. Photo Checklist:

   • The camera is about 1.5m away, at eye level.

   • Plain, light-coloured background (light blue, grey, or cream), no objects or people, at least half a metre away.

   • Centre head with space around top and sides, including shoulders and upper chest.

   • Neutral expression, no smiling.

   • No head coverings unless for religious or medical reasons (requires endorsement).

Draws and Timetable:

The plan is to hold the Senior Male and Female Kate events on Friday afternoon and evening. We are also considering starting the U14 grades on Friday, depending on the number of participants. Running that division may also be possible if a division has no South Island participants. This is why it is important to close entries earlier so we can evaluate and finalise the schedule.

For any queries, please don't hesitate to contact kcrawford@karatenz.org.nz

Article added: Friday 19 July 2024