NZ Judoka Adopt International Best Practices

Dear NZ Judoka,

As you are now, undoubtedly, aware, I am founding the NZ Yawara Dan Commission to serve as the new vehicle for the administration of higher-level Judo in this country.

All officials seeking appointment to the new commission need to be aware of this set of measures to ensure compliance with the international best practice for procuration of technical examinations:
1. Stay awake.
2. The focus of attention should be on the people being graded, i.e. the judoka who pay the commission's airfares and whose entry fees pay for the free food after the exam (the free food will still be there when the grading is over).
3. All examiners should have been on a Judo mat at least once since 'new' kata like Go Shin Jitsu were accepted by the Kodokan (1954).
4. Regarding the aforementioned, being seen on a judo mat does not include wrapping on a too small judogi and parading the red and white (obviously sponsored by KFC) belt whenever a VIP visits.
5. This is may be a novel idea but it would be great if any kata grading panel could demonstrate the finer points of kata themselves or, better still, give a demonstration.
6. In light of the last point, all grading panels should have members that have recent (i.e. within 5 years) international kata training.
7. Finally, past history has shown that the grading yourself shouldn't guarantee the individual's technical knowledge .

I, Ramses Gold, will return NZ Judo to an ethos of "lead and people will follow" instead of "do as we say not as we do". Imagine if all NZ Judoka followed the example of the NZJF? By contrast the NZ Yawara Dan commission will not force compliance costs on club instructors by developing meaningless web based coaching courses (that instructors must force junior members of their clubs to complete) to register. We will lead NZ Judo from the front. NZ Yawara Dan officials will be active judoka, inspiring and interested in promoting the sport and developing people. They will have technical knowledge and be passionate about sharing that knowledge.

Yours in Judo,

Ramses Gold
(12th dan, NZ Yawara Judo)