1.4 Membership Policies for Competition and Grading Examination Eligibility
1.4.1 Competition
Only life members and affiliate members whose membership fee and the relevant art fees have been received by the AKR are eligible to participate in AKR National Competitions.
A member whose fees have not been received prior to the 31st of November is ineligible to participate in AKR National Competitions held in (the remainder of) that membership year.
All competitors must be an Australian Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia.
Overseas based competitors, or members who are not an Australian Citizen or a Permanent Resident of Australia may compete in AKR international goodwill competitions.
1.4.2 Grading Examinations
Only life members and affiliate members whose membership fee and the relevant art fees have been received by the AKR are eligible to be examined at AKR Grading Examinations.
All AKR life members and affiliate members must maintain continuity of training and membership for the entire period between grades and complete the total time-in-grade.as specified in the time-in-grade regulations in para. 2.3.3 in Section 2, para. 3.3.3 in Section 3 and para. 4.3.3 in Section 4 of the AKR Manual of Documents. After an interruption to the continuity of their training and AKR membership, a Dan graded life member or former affiliate member who wishes to apply to be examined for their next grade, must –
1. Renew their AKR membership.
2. Pay back fees where appropriate.
3. Train continuously for more than 12 months.
4. Complete the total time-in-grade as specified above.
5. If requested, supply proof of continuity of the above training and membership criteria.
In addition all other Grading application criteria and rules relative to the grade applied for must also be met.
1.4.3 Appeals
An AKR life member and affiliate member who wishes to apply to be examined for their next grade, despite not maintaining regular membership and continuity of training as specified above, may lodge an appeal via their relevant affiliated association.
The application must show exceptional circumstances to justify such an appeal.
If the affiliated association considers that the circumstances are exceptional and justified, the AKR National Council Delegate or President of the relevant affiliated association may submit the members’ appeal accompanied with the affiliated associations recommendation and reasons for consideration of their members situation.
Appeals must be submitted in writing and sent to the Chair person of the relevant AKR Kendo, Iaido or Jodo Board.
The relevant Board will then consider and decide on the issue, then advise the AKR National Council Delegate or President of the relevant affiliated association of that decision.
If the member disagrees with such decision, the member may apply to the AKR National Council Delegate or President of the relevant affiliated association to send a written request to the AKR Secretary that the appeal be listed on the agenda to be considered at the next scheduled meeting of the AKR National Council.
