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.
Our three bodies 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.
Karate England is the National Governing Body (NGB) for its members. As an National Governing Body we will be aiming to:-
- offer appropriate NGB facilities to our members with minimum financial burden
- achieve recognition and support as an NGB by Sport England
- achieve unification for all English Karate Associations
- achieve the best possible facilities and structure for the benefit of all English Karateka
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
Q 1. What is Karate England?
A. Karate England is a not for profit organisation which aims to promote Karate in England and act as the National Governing Body for Karate, recognised by Sport England. Karate England have in membership large and small Karate Associations representing the majority of practicing Karateka in England.
Q 2. Does Karate England cover other Martial Arts such as Taekwondo and Kick-Boxing?
A. No, Karate is a distinct Martial Art and Karate England does not claim expertise in other Martial Arts or governance over them.
Q 3. Why does Karate need a Governing Body?
A. Karate is practiced by around 150,000 adults and children in England and that is a conservative estimate. Karate needs to be represented and properly recognised by the Government agency for sport – Sport England. Sport England supports recognised sports financially and Karate clubs could grow and more be established with that support. Also Karate England believe that the public need to have confidence that Karate is well regulated so that they can expect safe training and value for money at their Karate club.
Q4. How does Karate England operate?
A. Karate has grown through long established Karate Associations and Federations. Senior members of those Associations have agreed to come together voluntarily and give their time to Karate England. Profiles of the current 12 Board Members will be given elsewhere on the web site in due course. There are regular Board meetings which develop policies and procedures to govern Karate. Examples are; the constitution which defines the role of the Governing Body in detail and prescribes how Member Associations should behave; the Strategic Plan for Karate 2009-2013 which demonstrates how Karate can grow, a seminar on Risk Assessment, Health and Safety and the Law (held in October 2008). Board Members are all volunteers and give their time without payment.
Q5. Who can join Karate England?
A. Karate England is not an alternative to the current pattern of Karate clubs belonging to a parent Association who provide licenses, hold grading examinations and so on. All Karate Association having over 250 members are welcome to join (those Associations below 250 but have the capacity and intention to grow their clubs will also be considered). The annual fee is £250 per Association and there is a levy of 30p per individual member. All fee income is reinvested in running the Karate Governing Body.
site visits
KE Squad Selected for WUKF European Cup & WUKF Children, Cadet & Junior European Championships Click HERE to open
6 GOLD MEDALS
2 SILVER MEDALS
6 BRONZE MEDALS
AT THE
WUKF WORLD KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
HELD IN BRAZIL 8 - 11 JULY 2010
Full report and pictures can be found by clicking anywhere in this box
An extensive personal comment on the Rule has been prepared by Oliver Wood, legal advisor on the Board of Karate England. It is effectively a comprehensive digest to bring interested readers fully up to date on what has been happening with regard to the whole Rule 21.9 issue.
Although the note is fairly lengthy this is because the subject is quite complex: there is a certain irreducible minimum of material that has to be taken on board if the reader is to gain a thorough understanding of what is really going on and what is at stake. There is nothing in the note which is not required by a proper explanation of the topic.
In particular, the note covers:
- what is WKF Rule 21.9?
- how Rule 21.9 is affecting karate in England and further afield
- specific examples of how Rule 21.9 has been used to interfere with free karate - disruptions to events instigated mainly by EKF
- what KE have been doing to resist the application and enforcement of Rule 21.9
- Rule 21.9 in breach of human rights law – KE legal challenge
- Comment on the recent Sport England rejection of the EKF application for recognition as national governing body – the real ‘hidden’ issues
- Appeal to Rule 21.9 supporters to re-think
PDF document:
‘Web Statement on
WKF Rule 21.9’
(click to download)
PDF document:
‘Court of Arbitration for Sport case ref TAC2003/A/443 Slovak Karate Union v. WKF’
referred to in Web Statement
(click to download)
Karate England will consider an application from any bona-fide English karate association with a minimum of 250 members. Either click below to open the pdf version of the Karate England application form or right mouse click and choose save as.
Karate England Application Form
1 - Silver Medal & 6 - Bronze Medals
Full report and pictures can be found by clicking anywhere in this box