48th Australian Kendo Championships (2026 AKC): Shinpan EOI

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Dear AKR Members,
We’re excited to share that the Australian Kendo Renmei (AKR), together with the Queensland Kendo Renmei (QKR), will be hosting the 48th Australian Kendo Championships (2026 AKC) on the beautiful Gold Coast, QLD. The Competition Days will be held over the weekend of 4–5 April 2026, and we are very much looking forward to bringing our community together again.
On behalf of the Kendo Board, I’d like to warmly invite all Kendo members who hold 4th Dan and above to join us as Shinpan at this year’s Championships. Your knowledge, experience, and presence make a huge difference, and we would be grateful for your support in helping create a fair, enjoyable, and memorable event for competitors from all around Australia.
If you are able to help at the 2026 AKC as a Shinpan, we kindly ask the following:
  • Please be available for both Competition Days (4-5 April 2026).
    • If you are only able to assist for part of the weekend, please let me know.  We will do our best to accommodate your availability.
  • Attend the Shinpan Briefing on the afternoon of Friday, 3 April 2026 (exact time to be confirmed, approximately 3–4 pm), as well as the morning briefings on each Competition Day.
    • There will be a Keiko session directly following the Shinpan Briefing for attendees of this briefing (Shinpan, Team Coaches and Managers).
  • Carry out Shinpan responsibilities in accordance with the 2026 AKC Competition Rules (to be published shortly), which follow AKR and FIK shiai regulations.
  • Avoid taking on Coaching or Team Manager roles during the Competition, so we can maintain clear separation between Shinpan duties and State/Territory team functions.
  • Register as a Shinpan by completing the Google Form at the following link: https://forms.gle/dAwZRqFogJu6ss2F9
  • Complete the following courses on the AKR Learning Centre (if you haven’t already):
  • Arrange your own travel and accommodation for the event.
As a gesture of our appreciation:
  • All Shinpan will be provided lunch on each Competition Day they are officiating.
  • Shinpan without State/Territory Team duties (Coach, Manager, or Competitor) will also receive a subsidy (amount to be confirmed) to help offset expenses for attending the Championships.
If you are able to join us and accept this invitation, please complete the Shinpan Registration Form by 28 February 2026.
Should you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to me – I will be very happy to help.
Thank you very much for considering this invitation.  We sincerely hope to see you on the Gold Coast in April for the 2026 AKC!
Warm Regards,
Jane Hung
Deputy Chair, Australian Kendo Board