National team requirements

[AlexM]

I was just wondering what the national team requirements were in other countries.

In Canada (which has a fairly good national team) having a 2nd Dan means you can participate in the Team Canada regional try-outs (Western, Central and Eastern) which take place before the national tournament. If you're selected in these try-outs you get to participate in the finals which consist of a couple of judging methods to select the final 10 member team...I think it's 10 (round-robin of selectees + tournament results at the nationals + selection commitee choice). Western Canada and Central Canada get to send 5 members to the Team Canada trials while Eastern Canada (Québec and the Maritimes) send only 2.

2nd Dan may seem like a low requirement (yes, I'm talking to you Confound) but Canada ain't Japan after-all: limiting selction to something like 4th Dan and up would not be pretty and would be limiting (especially in this part of the country where good, high-ranking kenshi are rare: those holding that kind of ranking are usually a bit, how should I say this, old (pardon sensei)). Do remember that we start kendo at a more advanced age because, well, ummmm, we're not Japanese.

By the way, the nationals themselves are basically "come one, come all" (which explains how a 1st Dan buddy of mine wound up fighting Suguru Asaoka (5th Dan, eventual winner, Team Canada member and very scary dude) in the second round at the nationals).

How does this compare with other countries? Do you think the selection process impacts the quality of the national team? I'm particularly curious about requirements for France and the US (don't ask me why I want to know this).

Happy kendo!

[mingshi]

In Japan, for the All Japan Kendo Championship (individuals), you've to fight your own prefecture at the preliminary contest before you can go to the Budokan in Tokyo for the big one. The only restriction is you've to be male, aged 20+.

However, "Grades are irrelevant in the competition court", as seen in the Jan 2000 issue of Kendo Nihon magazine.

[Hyaku]

I keep trying!!!!!

Still at least they do ask me to fight.

There was a Godan limit before.

These damn Kidotai guys have all the fun

Hyaku

[bob]

ttt

[Isak]

Interesting thread!
In Sweden, which is a small kendo community in comparision to Canada, the selection is made by the coaches from a number of criteria stated on the homepage of the national team: http://www.stockholmkendo.com/nationalteam/article.asp?articleID=1354&articleCategoryID=9

I like this approach for a number of reasons:

In a small kendo community the mere possibility to participate in international contests is often the best training availible. Therefore, having been selected once your chances of continuing to be among the top five or ten rises considerably. This might have a severe conservating effect on the community as a whole if only the best are chosen in national competitions of some sort. Worst case: same ten guys are selected year after year and in ten years time we do not have anyone with international experience who can participate under the age of 35.

Also I like the approach since I believe that a team can be both better or worse than the parts. A team who has the right composition and direction can do marvels even if the members of the team are not outstanding and vice versa, a team of incredible individuals can fail miserably.

As a former math student it also makes sence to make the coaches responsible for the result of the team in competions, the growth of the team over time (making the number of potential team members bigger and bigger) etc. and not put additional restrictions as to how these objectives are best met (e.g. quotas for different regions in the country or for different clubs). In my book, the mandate for a coach should be more or less binary, either he/she have the mandate or he/she hasn't the mandate to pick the team and train/lead it.

The problem with giving total discretion to the coaches is obvious though: if they are free to chose as they see fit there is a distinct possbility that kendokas not chosen will complain, refering to some factual difference or other between the picked ones and themself. This will also most probably grow over time if the coaches are doing their job, since the group of potential team members then also will grow.

So the question is: is it ineviteble that large kendo communities must have formalised national-team try outs? It would be interesting to know how it works in big kendo-comunities like USA, France, Japan in comparision to smaller countries (kendo-wise) .

[Mr.Tvola]

In our country, which is in terms of kendo very-small, we have something like ladder - made of tournaments (currently 5) which are held throughout each year. Competitors gain points by winning or good placing in these tournaments. So this ladder is some tool to select the best competitors. The ladder is not the only criteria, the final decision is made by the nat. team coach. There are no grade restrictions.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Alex didn't give the whole picture. There are 3 ways to land on the national team in Canada: national championships, round-robin selections and coach's choice. As Alex said, there are regional round-robin selections held in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. The top 12 (2 from Montreal, 5 each from Van/TO) feed into the final round-robin selection. That final selection is held the day after the national championships. The best 4 from the round-robin make the team. Note that this is for men only, the women don't have a round-robin - I'm guessing we just don't have enough prospects to justify the cost of the process.

Anyone can enter the national championships. Top 2 in both men's and women's divisions make the team (assuming they are at least 2 dan for men, 1 dan for women). The remaining members are picked by the coaches (3 for the men, 5 for the women). The coach's choices allow them to direct the team for the future, and also to fill any holes that they feel are missing, as the coaches look for different styles of players to make up the team mix.

There are also numerous team practices held leading up to nationals that any prospect can attend, which are a good chance to show the coaches what you're made of. And of course some good showings at big tournaments wouldn't hurt your chances either.

[Isak]

MrTvola:
We have somtething similar, a ranking system in which you are awarded points if you make it to the final eight in a national competion (you also get points for EKC and WKC). Eventhought the top positions in that system usually are on the national team, it is not said the ranking alone will get you in or out. As in your country, the coach has the final decision.

Neil:
That sounds like a good compromise between the two different approaches. Do you know if it has always been that way or if Canada earlier had a system more resembling to the current swedish system? Is my hypothesis about correlation between more formalistic requirements for national team members and the size of the kendo comunity accurate in your opinion?

[Neil Gendzwill]

This is the way it's been the last two teams, although IIRC for the 2000 WKC we sent 10 men, and then it was 2 from nationals, 6 from round-robin and 2 coach's choices. Before that, I think it was top 4 from nationals and 6 coach's choices. However, the national championships like any tournament has too much variability in it to be a reliable way to pick team members.

At any rate I don't think you can ever eliminate the coach's choice positions, there are a lot of good reasons to let the coaches intelligently fill out the teams. At the same time, having the round-robin elimination gives people a clear, objective path to the team where nobody can claim any favouritism - work hard, kick ass, make the team :)

[Musha]

I think in England I think it depends on how much money you have :D. Here is the link.

http://www.kendo.org.uk/squad/kendo/index.shtml

The site says

'We particularly want to encourage more women to come and join the squad.
The only requirements are that you are keen to compete and willing to attend squad training sessions.'

[John W]

In New Zealand we have squad trainings about a year out from the World Champs (about 4 a year) of which you must turn up to at least 3 (I think).

On top of that we have about 2 tournaments a year and of course placing in the top 5 can't hurt your chances!! You also have to be 2nd Dan and up.

Then approx 6 months b4 the World Champs start we have a squad selection.
@ the squad selection the sensei's and the National coach then take into consideration attendance at squad trainings and the standings of the squad members tournament results. Also the general attitude of the squad member with regards to team work, coachability etc. Then the squad selection is made and hey presto! You have the NZ team.

I think the above is accurate :confused2

[AlexM]

I can't believe that this thread I started over a year ago has been resurrected. I thought this thing was dead. People are finally answering to boot. Woohoo!

About N-Zealand,

I think the question on everyone's minds is: Does Dr.A actually make it to the squad tryouts or does he let his prestige (and I use the term loosely) carry to him to a berth on the team? :D Maybe he's in charge of the selection for all we know. He can't be "Dr.A in Kyoto" and show up for the tryouts too? Can he?

Should those who live in Japan, publish a magazine dedicated to kendo, write about budo and have attended Budai get preferential treatment in the selection process? NEVER! Never I say!

Also... are sheep eligible for the team? :P

[Isak]

So, to sum up, in Sweden and Czech Republic the coach has complete discretion to chose the squad. In NZ there is a deciding group of coach and senseis. Who are defined as sensei: leader/trainer of a club or simply a person holding a sufficient rank (and what rank in that case)? Canada has a combination of systems with competitions, try-outs and coach’s choice. (It would be interesting to se statistics on performance of team members in reference to the way they got their place in the team, and also over time if there is a natural progression from being picked by the coach to getting a place on championship merits).

Other countries? Anyone knows how team Japan is picked?

Alex: The subject of would be members of a national squad, training in another country, is interesting. It seems unfair if someone get a position without jumping through the same hoops as everyone else, but it is equally unfair if they are out of the race altogether when they still are training and improving, just the same as everyone else. Also I think it is problematic to focus to much on fair and not fair, in some respect the coach and the team must have the development of the nations top level kendo as the main objective. You joke, but it would be interesting to hear how different national squads (or their leaders) think about people living and training overseas.

[KhawMengLee]

In Malaysia you basically need an international passport and show you have a reasonable amount of skill. Well, you get selected from the regional tournaments like ASEAN and the Goodwill Taikai.

At the moment there aren't enough kendoka to have the same selection levels as ie. Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Canada...etc

Hey, AlexM talked to Confound recently? She's dropped off the face of the earth.

[Mr.Tvola]

So, to sum up, in Sweden and Czech Republic the coach has complete discretion to chose the squad.

I would rather say, that the coach makes final decision based on the ladder placing, performance in the national team training sessions (which take place usually once per week about 2 months before EKC or WKC) and in other events, like competitions abroad.

I like the canadian system, but for small countries a small kendo communities it is way too "big" :-) as the coach is more in direct contact with all possible candidates and can see the whole picture by himself. But for larger countries such system necessary in order to make fair and effective choice.

[D'Artagnan]

I think in England I think it depends on how much money you have

'We particularly want to encourage more women to come and join the squad.
The only requirements are that you are keen to compete and willing to attend squad training sessions.'

I think it seems that it depends more on where you live, as oppose to how rich you are. I am sure it is relatively cheap for those who live near Rickmansworth (where 'NATIONAL' squad practise is held EVERY month!!!)
so much for 'national' kendo...

[Neil Gendzwill]

It would be interesting to se statistics on performance of team members in reference to the way they got their place in the team, and also over time if there is a natural progression from being picked by the coach to getting a place on championship merits.
I can think of one example - for the 2000 team, Eddy Yamashita was a coach's choice. For 2003, he was the top player in the round-robin. Not sure how he fared at the event itself.

[Neil Gendzwill]

I think it seems that it depends more on where you live, as oppose to how rich you are. I am sure it is relatively cheap for those who live near Rickmansworth (where 'NATIONAL' squad practise is held EVERY month!!!)
so much for 'national' kendo...
Cry me a river. You can drive pretty much anywhere on that soggy island in about 6 hours, can't you? Team practices and all the major tournaments here are in either Vancouver or Toronto. The distances in Canada are huge - to make national team and not live in one of those two cities requires an enormous amount of time, money, talent and dedication. IIRC when Dean Ara was living in Calgary he flew to Vancouver every 2 weeks to practice.

[D'Artagnan]

Cry me a river. You can drive pretty much anywhere on that soggy island in about 6 hours, can't you? Team practices and all the major tournaments here are in either Vancouver or Toronto. The distances in Canada are huge - to make national team and not live in one of those two cities requires an enormous amount of time, money, talent and dedication. IIRC when Dean Ara was living in Calgary he flew to Vancouver every 2 weeks to practice.

Well there's ANOTHER reason i am glad i don't live in your 'country'... besides that if i paid what you do for fuel, then a six hour drive wouldn't bother me either... cry me a frickin' river??? soggy island??? what's the point...

[samurai999]

I think in America, you need to be at least 2dan. You can enter either one of two ways. Win the individuals at the Nationals and you are automatically in. Simple isn't it? :D One more snippet of info. You need to be a US citizen, naturalized or born. Not a permanent resident or here on a visa. If a "foreigner" wins the Nationals like what happened in 2002, then the highest ranking citizen is automatically on the team.

The other option is to go through a series of eliminations. One is held on the East Coast and the other is held on the West Coast. Then they bring everything together and have a couple of elimination tournaments and then they have a coaches pick. Moocow and Tenken can chime in if I am wrong.

Tim

[Hai_hai]

Well there's ANOTHER reason i am glad i don't live in your 'country'... besides that if i paid what you do for fuel, then a six hour drive wouldn't bother me either... cry me a frickin' river??? soggy island??? what's the point...

Soggy island, Great Britain is known as a region with a rainy/cloudy weather most of the year.

A six hour drive would be about 360 miles if it took 1 hour to drive 60 miles. If your car had a fuel consumption of 30 miles per gallon, you would use up 12 gallons or 45.42 litres. At around 80 pence per litre or 3.02 pounds per gallon, that would cost £36.24 to fill up with 12 gallons or $88.23 Canadian dollars. That's a lot, especially one way. Calgary to Toronto around 3434 kilometres or 2133 miles. Fuel is around 80 cents Canadian per litre. So, that trip one-way in car running 30 miles per gallon would use 71.1 gallons or 269.1 litres of gasoline. That would cost $215.28 Canadian dollars or £88.42.

[Hai_hai]

Bottom line, kendo requires extra travel money and time if you don't live in Japan or Korea.

[mingshi]

To those complaining in the UK,

My kendo mates and current national team members Mark Halls (Leeds?) and Steve Bishop (Edinburgh) both regularly attends the training. The coach himself has to be there all the time, and he's in Glouscestershire. The Bowdens, Nationals, and Open are all held in Stoke both last and this year. If you really want to be in the team, inevitably you will have to travel both within the country and around Europe (or the world) on a regular basis. So work your way there!

...On a personal note, my "national training" is GMT 8 hours ahead so I'll probably not be able to make it in the near future...argh.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Well there's ANOTHER reason i am glad i don't live in your 'country'... besides that if i paid what you do for fuel, then a six hour drive wouldn't bother me either... cry me a frickin' river??? soggy island??? what's the point...
The point is, a 6 hour drive is doable. For me to get to Vancouver for a practice is a 20 hour drive, so I have to fly unless I'm planning to take a week off work to do the round trip and make it worthwhile. Toronto is nearly twice as far. Your entire country fits into less than half of the province I live in. Geography is simply not a hindrance to you compared to Canada (or the US for that matter).

Hai_hai - if you drive, you can share a car. There would be at least 3 people in our club who would be interested in hitting team practices. 3 people splitting gas on a car trip is cheaper than 3 people flying, even though UK gas prices are double Canadian ones.

[Mr.Tvola]

even though UK gas prices are double Canadian ones.

Okay, gasoline in Europe is at least 3 times more expensive than in US or Canada (in many countries 4 times - it is because of higher taxes imposed for those who are interested :smiley: ). But I get your point, Canada is a big country :smiley:

I believe we are getting a bit off topic.... is here anyone from Germany? I have heard, that they have a fairly sophisticated system of a national team selection there.

[Isak]

Yes, Germany and France would be interesting to know how they do, anyone?

samurai999, do you know what the ratio chosen by elimination and by coach is in USA?

[Musha]

Mingshi.. My kendo mates and current national team members Mark Halls (Leeds?) and Steve Bishop (Edinburgh) both regularly attends the training. The coach himself has to be there all the time, and he's in Glouscestershire.

Marks Halls comes to my Dojyo a lot and last practice he was showing his 'National team' Zekken :). I don't really talk to him but he usually gets lifts from some one in his Dojyo. I shouldn't talk about people, but he went to Japan a few months ago and I am sure his spends a lot of time and money on kendo and is of course good at it.

But not having a job or car it is very hard for me to do things like travel down to London by train . Stay in a hotel and pay £180 for a seminar all costing over £200 is too much at this time :(.

Better to travel to Japan for a year or two if you want to progress in Kendo :D.

[John W]

I can't believe that this thread I started over a year ago has been resurrected. I thought this thing was dead. People are finally answering to boot. Woohoo!

About N-Zealand,

I think the question on everyone's minds is: Does Dr.A actually make it to the squad tryouts or does he let his prestige (and I use the term loosely) carry to him to a berth on the team? :D Maybe he's in charge of the selection for all we know. He can't be "Dr.A in Kyoto" and show up for the tryouts too? Can he?

Should those who live in Japan, publish a magazine dedicated to kendo, write about budo and have attended Budai get preferential treatment in the selection process? NEVER! Never I say!

Also... are sheep eligible for the team? :P

No- sheep are not eligible for the team but they are eligible for good eating:wink:

I can't speak for Dr. A of course- but I am sure that his training in Japan does have something to do with him being in the NZ team. :rolleyes:

[D'Artagnan]

O k,


Firstly, i am sorry as i did not expect my post to be taken so seriously.

Of course i realise that it is MUCH harder to attend squad practise in Canada, due to it's huge size. Nor do i have anything disrespectful to say about Canada really, as i have some good friends there (hi Nishi and Atama). I was just taking the opportunity to have a bit of a whine, that's all.

I too train with young Mark Halls, about once a month, at the Halifax branch of Do Shin Ken Yu Kai. And as it happens i was chatting to him about his squad training, and how much it costs him and his dad for him to attend, hence my moaning.

It doesn't even really apply to me anyway, i am not really good enough to try out for our squad. once again sorry...

[John W]

It doesn't even really apply to me anyway, i am not really good enough to try out for our squad. once again sorry...


Far out D'Artagnan what a statement! Just keep thinking that and you will never make the squad.

Keep training and who knows.... :wink:

[litige]

Soggy island, Great Britain is known as a region with a rainy/cloudy weather most of the year.

A six hour drive would be about 360 miles if it took 1 hour to drive 60 miles. If your car had a fuel consumption of 30 miles per gallon, you would use up 12 gallons or 45.42 litres. At around 80 pence per litre or 3.02 pounds per gallon, that would cost £36.24 to fill up with 12 gallons or $88.23 Canadian dollars. That's a lot, especially one way. Calgary to Toronto around 3434 kilometres or 2133 miles. Fuel is around 80 cents Canadian per litre. So, that trip one-way in car running 30 miles per gallon would use 71.1 gallons or 269.1 litres of gasoline. That would cost $215.28 Canadian dollars or £88.42.

F*****g gaz....it will ruin us...

[litige]

94 cents per liter..... Fuck you Esso.

[John W]

C'mon Litige keep it relevant.

[GMason]

Hi,

As young Mark H was being discussed, I thought I would chip in, as I am usually his driver.

In the UK, it is actually not that bad if you want to practice with the squad

Mark does get a hell of help from his parents regarding money. He is lucky enough to have parents that encourage him and help him as much as he can, as for normal Keiko, if I go to a practice I take him and my girlfirend with me so we can all practice.

But then again it doesn't actually cost that much to just attend practice's

£40 Petrol (From Leeds)
£25 Accom
£3.50 Practice

So it works wout approx £68.50 a month. Which isn't a kings ransom, to practice with your NATIONAL TEAM and some of the best young people in you country.

Musha..... The seminar you are talking about is the Kodokan seminar which yes is expensive, but it is a four day, fully residential seminar with Sumi Sensei..... I think it is well worth the £200 (I will let you know if it is at the end of the year as it is my first time attending this year !!), The average BKA Seminar will only cost you about £60 for the weekend, which is not alot of money.

[Musha]

Musha..... The seminar you are talking about is the Kodokan seminar which yes is expensive, but it is a four day, fully residential seminar with Sumi Sensei..... I think it is well worth the £200 (I will let you know if it is at the end of the year as it is my first time attending this year !!), The average BKA Seminar will only cost you about £60 for the weekend, which is not alot of money.

I Gareth I wondered if you would say any thing. I did not want to mention your name :). I haven't been to a seminar yet but I hope to go to the Stoke-on-Trent one in July for the grading.
I went to the AGM and there was so much talk about raising prices. I don't know about in Japan but the BKA got £54412.50 on Seminars alone in 2003. I asked them why this was and they said it was down to buying spare equipment. They give you a free shinai at seminars then? :D.

[litige]

C'mon Litige keep it relevant.

Hehe, okidoki.

I'll put it up in the Why-not-come-to-Montreal-right-now thread.

[GMason]

Hi,

No problem I don't mind.

I don't really want to comment on the money the BKA have made with regards to the Seminars. As I was not present at the AGM (and this not really the place either) BUT :) I would hope that the amount mentioned was money taken before the costs of the seminars where paid.

But if that money is then put to good use, i.e funding seminar's, Taikai, sending the National squads.... be it Jodo, Iai or Kendo (Don't forget that it is not just the Kendo Seminar's they are talking about) to taikai. Then it has been put to good use as far as I am concerned.

I don't really see how you can complain that the BKA has made money from seminars that you have not attended. The Seminars are good fun informative and not too expensive. But we have manageg to go off on a tangent........

[sjp]

Musha
I dont know how you have the cheek to complain about the cost of BKA seminars/Taikai as by your own admission you have not attended any.
The discussion at the AGM was regarding a modest increase in the yearly membership fees and i mean modest.
Do you have ANY IDEA what it costs to host an event over a weekend or do you suppose the local authorities GIVE us a sports hall for free or that local hotels provide free accomodation for your teachers.
They dont get paid for giving you the benefit of their experiance and I dont get paid for hosting the events in Stoke this year. But someone has to pay and thats us the members and the costs for seminars this year are:
Glasgow Seminar £15
Watchett Seminar £30 2 full days
Stoke Seminar £20 (IN YOUR CASE £30)

Hardly extorniate is it, but next you will be complianing about accomodation, food ect,
You pay for everything in life one way or another and Kendo is no different

I will be sure to introduce you to the Chairman Mr Howell at the seminar and you can raise the issue of cost with him.

Apologies to everyone else as the thread was suppose to be about the National Squad

[PhilMcLaughlin]

Cheltenham isnt rickmansworth so youre clearly not looking at the Squad schedule are you ?

assuming cost is the issue & then giving up means you probably dont have what it takes to be in the squad anyway

Just out of curiosity it took me 10 mins to find a discount coach fare of £28 return Manchester - London & if you pick silly hours you could do better

accommodation can be found if you ask the membership

cost isnt really an issue - especially If you could get to some point where a driver can pick you up

As for The Sumi seminar - well ask the Japanese members of the board how they would value 3 days instruction by one of THE premier 8 th dans - in normal circumstances youd never get near to practising with the guy & yes its is a phenommenal seminar and very well worth the money


Dartagnion made a point about being good enough -

As for eligability - I think anyone can attend squad training - whether youre up to selection depends on the coach but if you never try how will you know ?

at worst as Gareth points out youll be training with some serious talent - how can this be bad ?

Dont whinge, Find a way ! - on your bikes laddies ;-)

this soapbox announcement was brought to you by a lardy old man :-)

cheers

[m_french]

94 cents per liter..... Fuck you Esso.
Liter ???? what ever happened to the imperial gallon?

[Musha]

Cheltenham?

[m_french]

As for The Sumi seminar - well ask the Japanese members of the board how they would value 3 days instruction by one of THE premier 8 th dans - in normal circumstances youd never get near to practising with the guy & yes its is a phenommenal seminar and very well worth the money



For those of you who get a chance, attending keiko with Sumi is a must. he came through here last year on his way back to Japan from the ASUKF seminar and taught one night in Chuo and one In Venice. THIS IS DEFINATELY WORTH YOUR TIME AND $$$

[John W]

Who is this Mark H guy?? :beard:

[sjp]

Mushsa
As Phil said try looking at the squad training schedule
http://www.kendo.org.uk/squad/kendo/training.shtml

the next practice is at Cheltenham

[PhilMcLaughlin]

Sorry SJP thats my fault I rolled up the comments into one post

Musha was whinging about the Sumi seminar costs (but then as hes never been on a seminar he wouldnt understand the value would he ;-)

D'artagnion was the one looking at squad training in London all the time
so i was pointing out its not IN london all the time

cheers

[Isak]

And if we go back to the original question, how are Team Great Britain picked? Is it the coach alone (BTW I heard he made rokudan in february, congrats!) or is there a formalised procedure or a group that does the picking?

[GMason]

Who is this Mark H guy?? :beard:

Hi,

Mark H, is my Cousin, who has just fenced for the first time for the GB Team. He is actually a member here.

It is just that Musha, Jenny, D'art......, SJP and Phil all know him which is why he was being used as an example I guess

[Musha]

Sorry for changing the topic of the post again in my last few posts :).

It is just about 4 years ago I used to race RC remote controlled cars at a club. First I bought a cheap car for about £100 then found that I needed another and spent £200 I then bought a lot! of parts and extra motors spending about £300 of my own money when I was only 14 or 15. I moved up to racing the middle group of people but my car still was not fast enough. I then bought another car for £200 and it went on an on like this.

It really seemed that the more money you had the better car you could buy and better you would get. I just don't want kendo to go that way for me :(.

[Hai_hai]

...It really seemed that the more money you had the better car you could buy and better you would get. I just don't want kendo to go that way for me :(.

You already have the proper rich-boy show-off background in R/C. It should be an easy transition into rich-boy show-off kendo.

[D'Artagnan]

D'artagnion was the one looking at squad training in London all the time
so i was pointing out its not IN london all the time

cheers

I am sorry for this to continue, and i don't mean to be funny or confrontational. However, i said squad training was in Rickmansworth all of the time, and upon checking the BKA schedule, I was under the impression that the Cheltenham session was entitled 'Strength Training', i am sorry, i didn't realise that it was also Kendo training. I would just like to assure that i have been well and truly humbled since my first ill thought posts...

Thank you

Andy.

[PhilMcLaughlin]

I would just like to assure that i have been well and truly humbled since my first ill thought posts...

Thank you

Andy.

OH well thats all right then :-)

squad training is often in Birmingham as well so its not that difficult

Anyway theres no good reason why you shouldnt attend the squad training and give it a go - you may well be good enough & you shouldnt be overawed at all - that was what I was trying to get at, though I also apologise for being a bit intemperate


Going back a few light years to the real question, I think that the GB coach has overall control though performance in domestic taiki is of course taken into account

hope to see you all at Watchet and Stoke :-)

[D'Artagnan]

Anyway theres no good reason why you shouldnt attend the squad training and give it a go - you may well be good enough & you shouldnt be overawed at all - that was what I was trying to get at, though I also apologise for being a bit intemperate




Thank you very much for your advice, i think i shall try and scrounge together the cash to maybe attend after thier june/july break and see how it goes. This also gives me chance to improve, as i am already training towards my Nidan exam in october.

thanks alot for the encouragement,

Andy Fisher
Do Shin Ken Yu Kai
Preston

[Nishi]

Hi D'Artagnan ... and everyone else...ive been reading this thread for a while now and thought i'd comment regarding the Great Britian vs Canada squad discussions.

I'll take a chance here...if anyone wants to be an international player, the UK is definatley an easier squad to get on, partly due to the distances between practices and secondly...eeehhk...the caliber is a little lower.

But either way there is the issue of commitment, and that is required whatever country your in. Canada has major distances to cover, money to be spent, and if you overcome these, you still have to be better than the next guy, and there is some world class talent here...

Just an empty observation...

[kenshi_kr]

Is there anyone that knows how the australian national team is selected?
and what criteria's the selection process is based on?

[Andoru]

As far as I know:

(1) Go for national squad training.
(2) Be shodan and above
(3) Selection is then based on training performance

[taganahan]

just wanna know, was there any team for the philippines at the WKC? were they a decent team?

~taganahan

[Hinokuni]

I just want to make an observation:

I am attending the British Squad training in September. That means flying from Swtizerland, a journey I will have to make 6+ times a year if I want to commit to squad training.

Financially this wil be expensive, but fortunately I am in a position where I can pay. Tougher for me will be the time out I will have to take from my young family.

My point is simply that you should be willing to make sacrifices if you are chasing a dream, and should take pride in the sacrifices you make, whether they are financial (particularly in the case of students) or in terms of time (if you have a job and a family), or whatever else.


That's my tuppence;)

[D'Artagnan]

My point is simply that you should be willing to make sacrifices if you are chasing a dream, and should take pride in the sacrifices you make, whether they are financial (particularly in the case of students) or in terms of time (if you have a job and a family), or whatever else.


That's my tuppence;)

Excellent point!

I will be attending in september also, you'll be able to tell it's me, (that's me in the avitar) I have a Dou that is bright blue fading into black towards the bottom, look out for 'Fisher' on the zekken. Hopefully we will get the opportunity to practise together!

Andrew Fisher
Doshinkenyukai
Preston
UK

[Hinokuni]

Thanks Andy, I would be very pleased to train with you and will look out for your do.

My zekken has 'Lausanne' at the top and 'Wake' at the bottom.


Getting excited already.......

Matt

[kenshi_kr]

oh ok, thx Andoru.