E.K.F. EUROPEAN REGIONALS - WARSAW, POLAND
27TH - 30TH MAY, 2010

PETER BIBBY, BRIAN NOBLE, TERRY POTTAGE, DALE GAMBLE, IVOR THOMAS & STEVE COUPLAND

This is the only chance for prospective candidates to take exams in Europe either moving up qualifications or just starting out, the candidates were myself going for Kata judge A, Peter Bibby going for Kata judge B and Kumite Judge B, Steve Coupland going for Kumite referee A and Ivor Thomas going for Kumite ref B. After registering on Thursday afternoon which took 3 hours and our wallets 250 Euros lighter per exam, we went to the theory briefing which took a further 3 hours.

Friday morning theory papers for Kumite and Kata were passed successfully by all of us, myself and Peter then went to the Kata practice which involved Kata been taught by the European commission members including our own EKF commission member Terry Pottage, who showed Annan. Then later that afternoon the practical exams began, we were joined by Rab McQueen from Scotland who was there to take his Kata judge B. Myself, Peter and Rab had to perform two Katas each one from our own style and one from another, answer all aspects of questions relating to the two katas and general kata judging.

We went to the referees briefing that night were we met up with the others and Brian was informed he was part of the appeals jury for the competition the next day.

Saturday
At the competition Kata teams were on first and myself and Peter were involved in judging these as part of our exam. To mine and Brian's great delight we were selected to be in charge of an area a piece as match controllers. Peter, Steve and Ivor were on the other areas doing their practical examinations. The competition went well with teams from all over Europe competing.

Sunday
This is finals day and English officials were involved again, Brian judged on the womens team kata and Steve on the men's team kata finals. Brian was again part of two more finals, the womens junior cadet teams and womens senior team and was a referee on the deciding bouts on both occasions. I was part of the refereeing panel for the men's final between France and Turkey and I was the referee for a quite exciting 2nd bout with a winning jodan kick from France
This could be the last occasion any of us referee a final in this format, due to the new rules that come in effect in November regarding refereeing/ corner judging.

Crunch time - exam results;

Peter Bibby passed up to Kata Judge B
Steve Coupland passed up to Kumite Referee A and is now a Karate Referee in Europe
I was passed to Kata Judge A so I am now a Karate Referee in Europe
Ivor unfortunately did not get through but retained his qualification as Kumite Judge A for a further 3 years
[ Rab from scotland passed to Kata Judge B ]
All in all this was good championship with good exam results for England and everything went well, the same can't be said for my journey home due to Warsaw airport being closed because of thunder storms , I missed my connecting flight in wroclaw which resulted in me staying overnight in a hotel and getting another flight home on Monday.

Dale Gamble
EKF chief referee

EKF National Championship 2010 Chief Referee's Report

We had an excellent turn out of 31 officials on day one plus time keepers which enabled us to constantly operate six areas, an outstanding 47 officials plus time keepers attended on day two again ensuring six areas were smoothly operated.

For the first time at a National event we were able to run full bout times and repechage in accordance with WKF rules. The overall standard of fighting was excellent which makes the refereeing easier, there were no major injuries reported and no official complaints received.

A good standard or rapport was achieved with most of the coaches there were a couple of queries about scores. A mention must go to the Tatami chiefs Tony Dent, Harold Stevenson, Peter Bibby, Dave Robinson and Gordon Harrison who worked tirelessly over the two days and gave feedback to new officials, judges and referees, also special thanks goes to Billy Brennan for his contribution on Sunday as my assistant. A thank you goes to everyone who, as always, played their part including all the time keepers who helped make this event a success. A special mention goes to Paul Campbell and Sarah Knight who, as organisers, kept the competition running smoothly.

The following officials were awarded the the following qualifications;

Dale Gamble, EKF Chief Referee

NEW E.K.F. REFEREE PROGRAM 2010

The Chief Referee will now have the option of having up to 5 assistants.  The assistants will have input into courses and will also be able to make recommendations. A payment will be made to 2 assistants at each course from the Chief Referee's fee. These payments will ensure that Referee's Assistants will get paid for attendance ensuring that courses will always have adequate cover.

A new group of Elite Referees will be created.  Referee 'A*', Assistant Tatami Chief and Tatami Chief Qualifications.  There will be approximately 18.

These Elite will be invited onto Elite courses for Tatami Chief training and also for European/World preparation.  Everyone invited will have to pay for these Elite courses although European and World qualified officials are not required to pay on regular Referee courses.

There will be 6 Open Kumite Referee course, 2 Kata Judge course and 2 Elite courses per year.  These will be held at various venues in the North, Midlands and South esuring that everyone has access to them.

For details on Qualificatons and Requirements, please go to our QUALIFICATIONS page.

BRITISH KARATE FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIPS
MEADOWBANK
EDINBURGH
SCOTLAND
5TH & 6TH SEPTEMBER, 2009
 
NEW QUALIFICATIONS
ANTHONY COTTER - BKF KUMITE REFEREE
GEOFF MARKS - BKF KUMITE REFEREE
BILLY BROGAN - BKF KUMITE REFEREE
PETER BIBBY - BKF KUMITE REFEREE / BKF KATA JUDGE
BRIAN JARVIS - BKF KUMITE REFEREE / BKF KATA JUDGE
GARY HOYLE - BKF KUMITE REFEREE / BKF KATA JUDGE
GORDON HARRISON - BKF KATA JUDGE
MARK SYMONDS - EKF REFEREE 'B'
DONALYN MARSHALL - EKF REFEREE 'B'