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EKF Tatami Accreditation
Just like Referees & Judges, Coaches play an integral part to the success of sport karate. One of the most important parts of an athletes journey comes from the education and guidance from their coach. To ensure athletes are getting the best education, coaches must undergo some basic education to be able to coach at any EKF Championships. This education comes in the form of the EKF Tatami Coach Accreditation Qualification. Any coach wishing to coach at an official EKF Championships must acquire this qualification before being allowed to do so.
What is it and why do we need it?
The EKF Coach Accreditation Qualification, is designed to ensure that coaches who wish to coach their students at EKF championships meet certain criteria before being allowed to do so. Following the course, any coach allowed to interact with athletes will do so with the knowledge of what is expected of them, and a basic knowledge of the WKF competition rules.
Requirements - DBS
Firstly, and most importantly, a coach must have a current DBS certificate, which is registered on the Update Service. Safeguarding our members is our main priority, and coaches holding a DBS on the Update Service is an important part of the EKF process for protecting its membership.
Requirements - Education
Secondly, each candidate will be required to attend an EKF Tatami Coach Accreditation Course, and pass the exam. The course is designed to educate coaches to a basic level on the WKF competition rules (Kata & Kumite). It will also advise on what behaviours are expected on and around the tatami, and their responsibilities as a coach including UK Anti-Doping.
At the end of each course, candidates are asked to sit a basic exam covering the course content. The result determines whether a coach will be awarded a Tatami Coach Accreditation Badge, and the duration of that qualification.
Here is the list of required pass marks, and the duration of a qualification:-
50% - 1 Year Badge
60% - 2 Year Badge
70% - 3 Year Badge
Please note, to align our EKF policies to those of the WKF, no person is allowed to perform the duties of both competition coach, and referee/judge in the same calendar year. This is in relation to EKF sanctioned competitions such as, but not necessarily limited to, the EKF Kyu Grades / Children's Championships, the EKF Nationals, the EKF E1 Series events, and the EKF International Events. If you are unsure, please ask.
Association and locally run club competitions do not fall into the above category.
In respect of WKF Accredited, and or WKF Certified coach qualifications, the EKF would like to advise all coaches of the following.
- WKF Accredited and or WKF Certified coach qualifications, do not supersede the EKF equivalent. As such, all competition coaches wishing to coach at an EKF sanctioned event, must attend an EKF Competition Coach course and exam/refresher course, aligned to the expiry of their current qualifications. Additionally, they will be required to meet all DBS and UKAD requirements set out below.
- A coach can look to align, from a date perspective, his/her WKF and EKF qualifications, by sitting an EKF Coach course/renewal exam, and receiving a 1, 2, or 3 year award, or renewal of their EKF qualification, aligning to the renewal date of their WKF qualification. This would require a pro rata cost of £30, £40, 0r £50 respectively.
- The only exception to the above, is for EKF Coaching Staff, who have already met the EKF stipulations above.