October Meeting Report

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The AKR National Council met in Melbourne on 16 & 17 October.  National Council Delegates include one from each affiliated State or Territory Association, one from each of the Kendo, Iaido and Jodo Boards, plus the members of the AKR Executive Committee.


AKR National Council meeting Oct 2010
L to R. Back. Mr Ramon Lawrence, WA. Mr D Schearer, ACT. Dr K Humphrey, Qld. Mr S Polichroniadis, Vic. Mr M Lee-Steere, Iaido Board. Ms C Cash, Tas. Front. Dr KL Teoh, Kendo Board. Ms V Yung, AKR Secretary. Mr R Ward, AKR President. Dr A Tan, AKR Treasurer. Mr Russel Lawrence, Jodo Board.

The weekend included the AKR Annual Conference and General Meeting.  Discussion on the future growth and development of Kendo, Iaido and Jodo in Australia is always on the agenda on these occasions.

Decisions were also made to change, improve and introduce new requirements.  Some that may interest members are briefly summarised below.

The AKR Financial situation is quite healthy.  With consistent growth over the past six years, we now have a retained surplus which will be distributed to the Kendo, Iaido and Jodo Boards to fund more activities.

Affiliated Bodies may set and retain their own Grading Application fees, but Grade Registration fees are set by and paid to the AKR.

KENDO

  • Zekken for wearing at AKR Kendo Competition (Including AUG) are now specified.

IAIDO

  • Kata requirements for Iaido Dan Examinations have been redefined and are shown below.
    • 1 Dan / Shodan – 5 Seitei kata, as selected and advised by examiners and paper.
    • 2 Dan / Nidan – 5 Seitei kata as selected and advised by examiners and paper.
    • 3 Dan /Sandan – 5 Seitei kata as selected and advised by examiners and paper.
    • 4 Dan / Yondan – 1 free choice Koryu kata, plus 4 Seitei kata as selected and advised by examiners and paper.
    • 5 Dan / Godan – 2 free choice Koryu kata, plus 3 Seitei kata as selected and advised by examiners and paper.
    • 6 Dan / Rokudan – 2 free choice Koryu kata, plus 3 Seitei kata as selected and advised by examiners.

JODO

  • Jodo kyu grade exams no longer include Sotei.
  • Jodo Sandan grading requirement is now Seitei Kata 3 to 7 plus paper.
  • The AKR Standard Rules for Dan and Kyu Examinations were modified to allow flexibility for some Jodo Examination Panels.
    • 4 Dan – in special circumstances, to substitute two 5 Dan examiners for 6 Dan examiners.
    • 5 Dan – in special circumstances, to substitute two 6 Dan examiners for 7 Dan examiners.

The detail of these and other changes are all in the AKR Manual of Documents, here.