Juniors..... get those mitts and pads back out!

Here is the latest guidance received from the English Karate Federation (our National Governing Body).

We will resume dojo lessons for the under 18's from Monday 19th April and we will adhere to the guidelines set out below:

Dear Members,

We want to bring you up to speed with the latest 'return to training' guidance and rules as agreed with DCMS and Sport England

Essentially, there is a four-step programme that will eventually lead to full training and competition. This message covers the first two steps. We expect all EKF Associations and clubs to abide by the steps and guidance as laid out.

STEP ONE (from March 29th) - Please note that there will be no outdoor training sessions run by Red Tiger Karate Club. 

Outdoor training may resume for all ages and all groups. There are no limits on participation numbers providing the training is officially organised and part of the NGB guidance.

Under 18's can return to normal training which includes CONTACT training. That means partner work is permissible.

Adults must maintain socially distanced training as per EKF guidance. However, pad work is allowed (subject to cleaning protocols). It advised that the person holding the pads wears mask/face covering.

As training is outdoors you must ensure a full risk assessment is in place, considering the surface, age groups, participants footwear and (obviously) the weather!

STEP TWO (no earlier than 12th April) (RTK are working towards 19th April)

Under 18s to return to indoor training. Contact training and partner work is allowed. However, class size should be limited to 15 people.

Adults: Can return to indoor training but on a one-to-one basis. Adults may train in the same room at the same time as an under 18 group providing that social distance is maintained and it is not the same instructor running both sessions.

Also, the date for Step two is an indicative date and is subject to change. We have been advised that the EKF will be informed one week in advance whether the next step can go ahead. The EKF will message through usual channels when we have been given the formal go ahead.

In regards socialising and communing before and after sessions, these are determined by the prevailing government advice which all members are obliged to follow.

More information to follow shortly.

Steve Coupland

EKF President

We will remain on ZOOM until Sunday 18th April. (Many of our dojos are schools and they will be closed for Easter w/c 12th April).

Being allowed to spar brings us back in line with other contact sports such as football and rugby so we are very pleased to be able begin practising kumite together again.

There are still plenty of details to be confirmed so as soon as we receive more information, we will pass it on.