JKA Victoria - State Accreditation Program

Accreditation for Instructors and Competition Officials

Background and Purpose
The Technical Board of the Japan Karate Association of Victoria is responsible for the preservation and transmission of JKA Karate in the State of Victoria Australia. In 2005 a program of education and testing was established for the purpose of formally accrediting Instructors and Competition Officials.

This process is part of an initiative to achieve best practice in JKA Victoria’s Dojo and Competition environments. The benchmark for the program is the one used by the Japan Karate Association and JKA World Federation whose headquarters are in Tokyo Japan. The intention is to establish, develop and maintain the highest possible level of Instruction and Competition officiating in the State of Victoria.

Basis for Certification
The basis for the certification is a series of documents Rules and Regulations established and maintained by the Technical Board of JKA Victoria. These documents are;

1. Competition - Rules and Regulations Comprising 10 Chapters and 62 Articles
2. Judging - Rules and Regulations Comprising 5 Chapters and 13 Articles
3. Referee Qualifications – Regulations Comprising 6 Articles
4. Instructor Qualifications – Regulations Comprising 6 Articles

These documents contain detailed and comprehensive information in relation to each of these 4 subjects. They are refined and updated in line with JKA and JKA World Federation requirements and they are available to any financial member of JKA Victoria or to anyone wishing to become certified as an Instructor or Competition Official in the state of Victoria.

Eligibility
Current financial members of JKA Victoria aged 18 years and over who are graded Shodan (1st Dan) and above, may apply for certification. These individuals will also be current registered members of JKA Australia.

Certification Criteria
Accreditation is awarded on the basis of 2 criteria;

1. The percentage score attained in both a written and a practical test
2. The rank of the individual at the time of testing

Testing Methodology
Certification is done according to testing on the basis of the information contained in the abovementioned Rules and Regulations. Applicants are required to study these documents and undertake examinations held from time to time by the Technical Board of JKA Victoria.

Examinations fall into the following categories;

Competition Judge or Referee
1. A written test of 50 Multiple Choice Questions
2. A written test of 10 Questions requiring detailed subjective answers.
3. A practical test where the applicants’ knowledge is demonstrated and appraised in a simulated competition environment

Instructor
1. A written test of 10 Questions requiring detailed subjective answers.
2. A practical test where the applicants’ knowledge is demonstrated and appraised in a simulated dojo environment

Upon completion of the written and practical tests, results are collated and a percentage score is attributed to the combined papers.

Certification and Registration
The applicants rank combined with his or her test result will determine the level of certification to be awarded. The program provides for the following levels of accreditation.

Competition Official - Level A, B, C or D
Instructor - Level A, B, C or D

The Technical Board of JKA Victoria awards certificates accordingly and maintains an electronic register of those accredited.

Jurisdiction
The Rules and Regulations Documents, Testing Methodology and resulting Certification are valid in the State of Victoria Australia. Individuals registered and certified by the technical board of JKA Victoria are empowered to carry out the duties of an Instructor and/or a Competition Official in the State of Victoria.

Currently Accredited Individuals
Subject to the above, the following individuals are now certified and registered as JKA Instructors and Competition Officials in the State of Victoria Australia.

Instructors and Competition Officials Accredited in the State of Victoria at November 2006