British Wadokai News - Latest 2010
Enhanced CRB Disclosure
British Wadokai Karate-do Federation is a registered umbrella facility that is able to offer online CRB Enhanced Disclosure to all BWK Instructors, Administration Staff and Volunteers.
ALL BWK representatives that have contact with children and vulnerable adults are required by BWK to hold valid, enhanced CRB Disclosure Certification as a minimum requirement of membership.
Disclosures will only be accepted from either English Karate Federation or British Wadokai. BWK will accept disclosures obtained through AIWa until expiry of 2 years after this they will be regarded as null and void and it will be necessary to obtain a new check. Please contact Paul Elliott or Liz Legg for further information.
Please click here for further information.
Do You Really Know Who Are Teaching? - added 4th Feb 2010
Martial-arts, as we all know, is potentially the most efficient and effective way of maiming and even killing someone without a weapon. So, additionally, this could be an advantage to all types of unscrupulous people for numerous reasons. Terrorist Cells, Murderers, Rapists, and basically any unlawful and unsavoury character could be using these killings skills for the sheer potential they possess.
All instructors must be aware, and responsible, for making sure they have the right person standing in front of them when they are teaching these techniques. What sort of vetting processes can we use? Other than our instincts, and the most basic questions asked on our Licence Application Forms, we would actually know very little about our students at first.
However, what we have got, which is probably our first inclination that something may not be quite right, is our ‘Zanshin’ - ‘environmental & elemental awareness’. And our Zanshin can be heightened as we talk to our prospective students. Very often many students come through contacts or people that we already know, can we trust these contacts? In my situation, and probably as with most of us, our contacts are always though this procedure and the already established Martial-arts direction in the first place. The majority of students are juniors, and the parents are always the first point of contact, so hopefully not much risk there. Adults approaching us straight from the street are probably the most vulnerable, as far as our vulnerability is concerned. However, again with conversation and continual training, we can normally ‘suss out’ the misfits and they are usually shown the Dojo exit door at the earliest signals. However, most people who aren’t suited usually leave anyway, as the skills require many years of dedicated practise, and some more, to perfect - martial-arts can be, and is, a lifetime of study.
Thankfully, especially with our pre-start ‘on the spot’ vetting and checks, we have not had any concerns in the past - but we can’t rest on our laurels. Terrorists may still find ways to infiltrate our Dojos in all sorts of guises and tactics, so this is what we must all be aware of. Accents and colour of skin could be a first sign, but remember, many terrorists have actually come from (and were born in) our own country (sleepers). Accents can be changed, and pleasantries can disguise true intentions. But if we are all aware, and work together, we can help to eradicate this possible threat to our own Dojo as well as our society and lives.
Everyone must be aware... Parents, students, instructors alike must all have a thought for those around that train alongside us.
With the continual threat of terrorism, both home and abroad, the Government and Security Services have all reminded us to be extra vigilant. This all very well and good, but what are we actually looking for?
When we first induct students onto the path of martial-arts we have always gone through the process of elimination. For example, some of the things we consider are:
Will this student make it, or even continue after his first grade?
Does the student have any medical conditions we need to be aware of?
Does he possess aggressive or violent tendencies?
This process of determining what sort of student we are considering, to take in as a member of our club, is something that has gone on since martial-arts first established itself in this country. So, realistically speaking, we have already set ourselves up as a ‘vetting officer’. All we need to do is to extend those protocols into the mindset of a terrorist.
Does this student come from our usual enquiry base?
Is there anything unusual about his/her demeanour?
Is there anything unusual about his/her enrolment enquiry?
Are they being evasive or secretive when being asked enrolment questions?
Is the payment unusual or suspicious?
Have they come in groups of the same or similar origin?
Where are their origins?
Are they making unusual requests for specialist training?
Are they making unusual requests for weapons training?
If you have any concerns about any people who are in your Dojo, or someone suspicious who has approached you to join your club, then there is somewhere to contact. The poster included in this article is what was issued by the Special Branch. I have the original, and hopefully you have all already received a copy. Please make sure that this is in view on one of your poster-boards for all to see. Additionally, if you haven’t yet received this poster, please contact me as soon as possible.