EKF YOUTH KATA INITIATIVE Develop. Inspire. Achieve. Informational Guide By Aimee Sell
Introduction The EKF are piloting a new Youth Kata initiative aimed at 10-13 year olds 5th kyu and above. The EKF will initially be holding 3 sessions over the next 6 months which aim to give young kata enthusiasts specific and targeted competition training. The pilot scheme will be led by England International Aimee Sell and assisted by Northern Regional Assistant Coach Rob Bingham. Principle The Youth Kata Pilot initiative would essentially be development training for young athletes; to encourage, develop and prepare the young Kata enthusiasts for selections in the National Squad and International competition. The purpose of the Youth Kata Pilot initiative is to prepare Kata athletes before they select to represent England. Basis Many times, Kata competitors have selected for their country under prepared and lacking vital experience and knowledge that most competitors from other countries have at this age. This puts us as a country at a disadvantage. Many countries have young athletes competing at Cadet level who expect to win their categories and repeatedly medal at Cadet level before moving up to the higher Junior categories. We want to be one of those countries entering for medals. For this to happen, we need to transform how our young athletes develop from novice to champion athletes, to be ready for selection, to be ready to win. As already mentioned, the purpose of the Youth Kata Pilot initiative is to prepare Kata athletes before they select to represent England.
Youth Kata Pilot initiative Core Values There are three core values that form the interlocking principles of the Youth Kata Pilot initiative; Develop, Inspire and Achieve. The ultimate goal is for athletes to Achieve and in order to attain that goal there has to be an infrastructure in place where they can Develop and be Inspired to perform on the international stage for their country. This Youth Initiative is designed on these principles. Develop Cultivate, improve, advance and progress. Inspire Rouse, stimulate, motivate, enthuse and encourage. Achieve Accomplish, thrive, triumph and succeed. Youth Kata Pilot initiative Training The Youth Kata Pilot initiative would have open training sessions a minimum of once every two months. Training is designed to provide the young students with a balanced theoretical and practical approach to competition Kata. Both theory and practical sessions are structured to enhance knowledge and understanding of competition Kata. Training will incorporate applied applications where the students will benefit from the various training development scenarios and should expect to learn skills to develop their Kata. Training sessions would cover the many different aspects of Kata competition training and development, including: Fitness Kata development skills Competition preparation Knowledge and interpretation of WKF rules Presentation What they should be doing away from the sessions, in order to be part of the youth squad Advice on what competitions to attend Competition Kata drill
Youth Kata Pilot initiative Structure The Youth Kata Initiative is aimed at providing competition specific coaching and training to the young competitors who hope to one day select for their country. This will be accomplished by holding Youth Kata Pilot initiative training sessions which initially will be in effect Development training sessions. At present, for the purpose of the pilot initiative, there are three planned training sessions, initially be held within the Northern and Southern regions, whereupon the pilot initiative will be reviewed. If successful, the pilot initiative could become a regular fixture leading to the introduction of a Youth Squad which could act as a feeder to the National Squad for competitors to select for the Junior National Squad Cadet category. The Youth Kata Pilot initiative would consist of two age categories and minimum grade criteria; 10-11 years, 5 th Kyu and above 12-13 years, 5 th Kyu and above There are a number of benefits that the Youth Kata Pilot initiative would bring: A structured development plan from grass roots to national squad representation Increased skill and performance levels pre-cadet athletes Increased medal prospects from World and European competition Encouragement and motivation for young Karateka Different from Regional Kata structures where the focus is on Team competition Allows for increased complex and sophisticated training methods at Senior Squad sessions Allows younger competitors to participate in National squad sessions In Conclusion The Youth Kata Pilot initiative would be a fantastic boost for England. It should encourage many more people to be involved with Kata, and should raise the standard of England s competitors at a younger age, so by the time they reach the National squad they will have already acquired the knowledge and experience to be successful.
A Little Information About Me... Aimee Sell I have been competing in Kata competitions since the age of 8 years old and I have been representing England consistently since the age of 14, which is half of my competition career overall. The 2016 Junior European Championships was my last Junior event competing for England, I will be competing solely at Senior level now. I have been competing in Team Kata at Senior European and World Championships since the age of 16 and individually since 2014. Since my early days I have amassed a huge pool of knowledge and experience of competition Karate, different styles and different training methods. I believe I have enough coaching and competition experience and success to coach, develop and take this squad in the right direction. At European Championship Level I have achieved: Junior Team BRONZE Junior Team SILVER SILVER in the Cadet category in 2011 SILVER in the Junior category in 2013 BRONZE in the U21 category in 2015 I have medalled in every age group from cadet to U21 at European level being the only English female competitor to do so. At World Championships Level I have achieved: BRONZE in U21 2013, being the youngest competitor from England to do so. 7 th place at my first Senior world championships 2014 at 19 years old. I have represented England in individual and team Kata at both Junior and senior level numerous times. At National level I have achieved: 10 times individual English National Champion 4 times individual Silver medallist 3 times team English National Champion I have won every category from 10-11 years through to Senior at English championships making me 10 times English National Champion. At British National level I have achieved: 7 times individual British Champion 2 times individual Silver medallist Team British Champion
A Little Information About Rob Bingham Having started Karate at the age of 6, Rob is now head of his own Karate Association and also Assistant Northern Regional Kata Coach. Rob has a very solid foundation in karate having trained for many years within S.K.I(GB) with Hanshi Asano, and J.K.A England with Ohta Sensei. Rob is a former member of the EKF England National Kata squad having competed for England in Senior Team Kata events. Rob has competed at the highest level competition going to both WKF World and European Championship, as well as Karate1 Premier League events. Rob trained a number of EKF Junior National England Squad members as well as many English and British champions. Achievements: 3 rd Dan Shotokan Karate Chief Instructor of Karate Association Assistant Northern Regional Kata Coach Individual English National Medallist WKF World Karate Championships England Team Kata representative WKF European Karate Championships England Team Kata representative