Membership Policies for Competition and Grading Examination Eligibility

1.4.1     AKR National Competition

Only Affiliate members whose membership fee and the relevant art fees have been received by the AKR and life members are eligible to participate in AKR National Competitions.

A member whose membership fees and registration have not been received by the Affiliate at the time of the event registration for a AKR National Competition is ineligible to participate in that event. New members will need to have a valid AKR number at the time of the event registration.

All competitors must be an Australian Citizen or hold an Australian Government issued permanent resident visa.

Criteria of age, dan or kyu grade and any other relevant factor is as at the date of competition.

Competitors at the UniSport Nationals Div 1 Kendo competition need only to meet the criteria set by UniSport Australia.

Overseas based competitors or members who are not an Australian Citizen or hold an Australian Government issued permanent resident visa, may compete in AKR international goodwill competitions.

1.4.2     Grading Examinations

Only AKR Affiliate members whose membership fee and registration have been received by the AKR Registrar by the time of the grading application and life members or a member of an overseas International Kendo Federation (FIK)[1] affiliated organisation are eligible to be examined at AKR and Affiliate’s Grading Examinations. New members will need to have a valid AKR number at the time of the event registration.

All AKR life members and Affiliate members must maintain continuity of training[2] and membership for the entire period between grades and complete the total time-in-grade, as specified in the AKR Standard Rules for Dan and Kyu Examinations.  After an interruption to the continuity of their training and AKR membership, a Dan graded life member or former affiliate member who wishes to apply to be examined for their next grade, must:

  1. Renew their AKR membership;
  2. Pay back fees where appropriate;
  3. Train continuously for more than 12 months prior to the examination;
  4. Complete the total time-in-grade as specified above; and
  5. If requested, supply proof of continuity of the above training and membership criteria.

In addition all other Grading application criteria and rules relative to the grade applied for must also be met.

For AKR Affiliate members whose current grade is unable to be verified by an International Kendo Federation (FIK) affiliate but wishes to be registered or examined in Australia, the following principles apply.

  1. The member must first provide credible evidence of their current grade.
  2. The AKR affiliated dojo sensei should provide their opinion of the members ability. If the instructor’s opinion supports the claimed existing grade, the member may apply to be examined for their next level.
  3. If the member passes the exam, the appropriate grade will be awarded and registered by the AKR.
  4. If the member does not pass, then the AKR will register the existing (claimed) grade level and issue a certificate.
  5. NOTE that all other eligibility and membership requirements and policies also apply.

[1] Grading applications lodged by those belonging to overseas FIK affiliated organisations are subject to approvals by the AKR

[2] Special consideration will be considered by the AKR President for exceptional circumstances.

1.4.3     Appeals

An AKR life member and Affiliate member who wishes to apply to be examined for their next grade, despite not maintaining regular membership and continuity of training as specified above, may lodge an appeal via their relevant Affiliate.

The application must show exceptional circumstances to justify such an appeal.

If the Affiliate considers that the circumstances are exceptional and justified, the AKR National Council Delegate or President of the relevant Affiliate may submit the members’ appeal accompanied with the Affiliate’s recommendation and reasons for consideration of their members situation.

Appeals must be submitted in writing and sent to the Chairperson of the relevant AKR Kendo, Iaido or Jodo Board.

The relevant Board will then consider and decide on the issue, then advise the AKR National Council Delegate or President of the relevant Affiliate of that decision.

If the member disagrees with such decision, the member may apply to the AKR National Council Delegate or President of the relevant Affiliate to send a written request to the AKR Secretary that the appeal be listed on the agenda to be considered at the next scheduled meeting of the AKR National Council.