Our Association

As is highlighted in the Association's name SLSKA practices JKA Shotokan Karate-do. This is the style founded by Master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), accredited as the father and founder of modern karate. The JKA, based in Japan is the proud inheritor of Master Funakoshi' art. An international amateur sports organization, the JKA is the only such sanctioned by the Japanese Government. It was established in 1955 and approved as a co-operation by the Japanese Ministry of Education in 1958.

The SLSKA was established in November 1993. The Association was launched with a training seminar conducted by Sensei Marc Cordice 4th Dan ISKF/JKA of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Karate Association and Mr. David Clarke, 2nd Dan ISKF/JKA of the Barbados Shotokan Karate Club. These sessions were held at the St. Mary’s College gymnasium from Friday 12th – Sunday 14th November 1993.

The SLSKA pursues the objectives of ISKF/JKA by facilitating the provision of karate instruction, which meets the standards of JKA to the St. Lucian public.

As a member of SLSKA:

• An individual becomes part of the largest single style karate fraternity in the western hemisphere (ISKF) and in the world (JKA).

• One is also guaranteed automatic membership to clubs and Dojo anywhere in the world that are affiliated to ISKF/JKA. There are over fifteen (15) million people actively studying the art of JKA Shotokan Karate-do in over 150 countries worldwide.

• Provides one with the privilege of training under and also participating in three (3) grading exercises every year conducted by some of the most renowned JKA Certified Instructors from the ISKF region and beyond.

Apart from exposure to the highest standard of tuition derived from a direct lineage of Master Funakoshi, members are beneficiaries of several events designed to enhance Dojo training. These events include:

• Held Triennially:

(a) Funakoshi Gichin Cup World Karate-do Championships, rotated between Japan and the five world continents.

(b) ISKF Shoto Cup Pan American Karate Championship rotated among the thirty-five (35) member countries from Canada in the north to Argentina in the south, including the Caribbean.

• Held Biannually:

(a) ISKF Caribbean Karate-do Championships, rotated among the fourteen (14) ISKF Caribbean affiliated countries.

(b) Southern ISKF Caribbean Karate Camp, hosted among the southern ISKF
Caribbean affiliated countries.

• Held Annually

(a) Master Camp and Goodwill Tournament hosted by ISKF-US in Philadelphia, USA.

(b) Other camps and tournaments organized by Caribbean affiliates.

The tournaments listed above are seen as special training sessions, where apart from exhibiting the highest level of sportsmanship, participants focus on becoming better martial artist and human beings.

Membership to SLSKA also provides for intellectual growth through the pursuit of the following certified technical programs, which features a strong academic base:

* JKA Instructors Training Program.
* Judges Program
* Examiner Program.
* CKC Basic Karate-do Teachers Certificate
* UWI Co-Curricular Credit
* UWI Basic Karate-do Teachers Certificate
* JKA Dan Diploma

The St.Lucia Shotokan Karate Association is headquarters at the Sportivo Fitness Centre, Rodney Heights, Gros – Islet & the Christylights Dance Academy, 13th Manoel St., Castries.

Immediately following the weekend seminar of November 12th – 14th 1993, the Association commenced training at the Vigie Multi-Purpose Sports Complex, until the end of November when it moved to the Vide Boutielle Secondary School Auditorium in La-Clery, Castries.

On November 25th SLSKA jointly hosted Master Shigeru Takashina, 7th Dan ISKF/JKA- Chief Instructor of ISKF/US South Atlantic Region. That represented the first tour to the island by such a high-ranking ISKF/JKA official, in nearly thirty years since karate started here.

In keeping with its aim to expose its members to the highest quality of instruction available in the world today, SLSKA organized a number of training seminars conducted by the following regional instructors:

Marc Cordice - 12th – 14th February 1994
25th –27th February 1994
6th – 8th March 1994

David Clarke - 14th November 1993
25th –26th November 1993
5th – 8th March 1994

Michael Williams - 19th – 20th February 1994
5th – 8th March 1994

These seminars set the stage for yet another milestone in the development of SLSKA – the arrival of Master Teruyki Okazaki, Chairman and Chief Instructor of the International Shotokan Karate Federation on March 6th, 1994. Okazaki Sensei’s tour included a grading exercise and two training seminars. The grading, which was held on the same day of Master Okazaki’s arrival, saw seventeen members of SLSKA vying for higher grades for the first time in the JKA Shotokan System. SLSKA was presented with the registration certificate No. IS SLU004 as a member of ISKF/JKA on the morning before the grading. Later that day the first training seminar was conducted at the jazzercise Centre, Gable Woods Mall with the second being conducted on Monday, March 7th at the St. Mary’s College Gymnasium at Vigie, Castries.

Okazaki Sensei left the island on March 8th. The visit by Master Okazaki served as an official initiation of SLSKA into ISKF/JKA as well as establishing standards.

Nearly two months after the visit by Master Okazaki Sensei, Sensei Cordice conducted a training seminar (April 29th – May 4th) and was assisted by Sempai David Clarke, May 3rd. They also saw to the establishment of the ISKF (St. Lucia Branch). ISKF – St. Lucia was formally inaugurated with an executive meeting on May 10th, 1994.

Just over a week after the launching of ISKF-St. Lucia, SLSKA participated in another training seminar, this time hosted by the federation from May 11th – 12th and conducted by Sensei Codice. June 11th – 12th, Sensei Cordice also conducted training seminars. July 1st – 3rd saw further involvement from SLSKA in the first-ever ISKF-St. Lucia organized Kyu Grading (examination) Exercise. Sensei Cordice conducted the exercise and was assisted by Sempai Michael Williams of the Barbados Karate Club. Eighteen (18) of the Association’s karate-ka participated in that activity. Training seminars were also conducted.

Becoming an affiliate member of ISKF/JKA continued to bring good fortune as in March 1994 Okazaki Sensei on his first tour of the island gave permission for ISKF-St. Lucia to participate in the 5th World Shoto Cup Karate Championships (July 28th – 31st).

Patrick Edward, President of the SLSKA was the lone representative of ISKF-St. Lucia at the 28th Master Camp (July 23rd – 27th) and 5th World Shoto Cup Championships. He was also privileged to be present for the launching of the World Federation of the Japan Karate Association (JKA/WF), with Master Okazaki as its first chairman. The tournament was specially used as the occasion to unveil the commencement of JKA/WF activities.

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THE INSTRUCTORS

All ISKF/JKA instructors hold, a high dan rank and also an instructor’s license, an examiner’s license and a judge’s license. The licenses are divided into four or more categories, with “D” being the lowest and “A” the highest. An “A” class examiner must hold at least a 7th Dan and can only administer tests up to the 4th Dan level. It requires two “A” class examiners to administer a 5th Dan test.

To be eligible to become a JKA/ISKF instructor, a candidate must be the holder of a Nidan (2nd Dan) rank and show excellent technical ability and character. The trainee must be a candidate of the ISKF Instructor Training Program, attend special instructors classes, take exams and write essays on 43 subjects, ranging from karate history to physiology. At the end of the four-year training program, the candidate must attain the rank of Sandan (3rd Dan), pass a final practical and complete a written exam.

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JKA RANKING SYSTEM

Rank	Belt Color	Average Training
8 KYU	Yellow	3 Months
7 KYU	Orange	6 Months
6 KYU	Green	9 Months
5 KYU	Purple	12 Months
4 KYU	Purple	15 Months
3 KYU	Brown	18 Months
2 KYU	Brown	21 Months
1 KYU	Brown	24 Months
Shodan	Black (1st Dan)	2 1/2 - 3 Years
Nidan	Black (2nd Dan)	2 Years after 1st Dan
Sandan	Black (3rdDan)	3 Years after 2nd Dan
Yondan	Black (4th Dan)	4 Years after 3rd Dan
Godan	Black (5th Dan)	5 Years after 4th Dan

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THE GRADINGS

The SLSKA recognizes a grading path that consists of 8 Kyu grades and 8 Dan grades. However, an examiner may grant a B grade if in his opinion the examinee is somewhat lacking in his/her technical proficiency.

Three (3) gradings (examinations) are conducted by over-seas based JKA/ISKF Certified Instructors annually. These gradings are normally held in March, July and November.

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THE RULES AND FEES

Anyone six (6) years or older may join by paying a registration fee of One hundred dollars ($100.00). This establishes a file and entitles the individual to a temporary membership card, a rulebook and an ISKF Patch after the probationary period. The said fee is non-refundable once the individual commences training. If a prospective member submits the fee and for some unforeseen reason is unable to begin training, the fee less a twenty-five dollars ($25.00) deduction will be refunded. An annual renewal fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) children and fifty dollars ($50.00) all black belt & adults is due in January of every year. The rates indicated for quarterly, semi-annually and annually are only applicable when dues are prepaid.

• Quarterly 10% off monthly rates
• Semi-annually 15% off monthly rates
• Annually 20% off monthly rates

Family rates are available. Family refers to immediate family members e.g.: brother and sister, husband and wife or members of the same household. Family dues will be discounted by the percentage amount indicated I the schedule of dues for the category under which each member of the family falls. Each member shall qualify for a five dollars ($5.00) rebate per month off his/her dues for each new member that they sponsor per month. This offer is valid up to a maximum of four new members and applies only if the new member(s) train for that entire month.

No member shall be permitted to be more than one (1) week in arrears in payment of dues. Dues should be paid by the 7th of every month. All members are responsible for dues payment whether or not they are training, unless prior arrangements for leave of absence (LOA) were made. A member wishing to take LOA must turn in his/her membership card. This must be done prior to commencing the LOA, which will not be counted until the member's card is in the possession of the club's secretary. The membership card will be returned upon termination of the LOA and dues shall continue from that point onwards.

A late payment fee of five dollars ($5.00) shall be charge for dues paid after the 7th of every month, unless the 7th falls on a weekend.

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