One of the distinguishing features of kyokushin training anywhere is that with each grading you are required to demonstrate your command of everything up to and including the grade for you are being examined, not just the material for the current grading, and you are expected to show improvement for all material learned for previous gradings. The underlying philosophy is that when you reach the black belt levels, you are not only a karateka, but also a teacher and exemplar (as indeed you should be all the way through) for grades junior to you. Thus, if you cannot demonstrate a command of all techniques and kata from previous gradings, then you probably shouldn't be going for the next grade.

The IFKKA has a structured syllabus that takes you all the way to 3rd dan. The basis of this syllabus was put together by Hanshi Arneil, and it still forms the basis of a lot of syllabi, even non-IFK ones, in Europe and elsewhere. With each grade, you are exposed to more techniques and kata with increasing complexity, and by the time you get about half way to black belt, you are also expected to be able teach basic classes. While we do train for kumite (both full-contact and point-sparring), the emphasis is always on being a karateka first, and then on being a fighter. Everyone can do karate. Not everyone can be a fighter.

Group photo of the 2001 First Ever IFK Black Belt Camp

The IFK also runs international Summer camps for all grades and also just Black Belts camps. The summer camps usually take place in Switzerland, but other countries such as Norway and the USA also run their own. The Black Belt camps have so far been in Switzerland, and the 2nd of these took place in November 2004.

These camps are at very low cost, and are run for the benefit of the participants. Hanshi Arneil and his senior Shihans (Nick DaCosta, David Pickthal, Jeff Whybrow, Viktor Fomin, Klaus Ming, Edi Gabathuler to name just a few) personally teach at these camps. You must however be a member of the IFK to participate in these camps.

	Group photo of the 2003 joint IFKKA/Kempo Ryu camp

The IFKKA also run Summer Camps, sometimes jointly with Shihan Peter Mylonas' Kempo Ryu Karate group. The first ran in 2003 we've had one every year since then. During these camps, we have both separate and joint training sessions, where we exchange information and knowledge about our respective styles. We have also lately been inviting other instructors to come and showcase their style for us in special set aside for that purpose.

Students

If you are living in Australia, and would like to join the IFKKA as a student, all you have to do is contact the instructor nearest to where you live for more information. At present, there are three IFK clubs in Australia and all are in Sydney's Innerwest, so if you're looking for Kyokushin training elsewhere in Australia, just contact a kyokushin club in your area. The phone book and/or the internet are very useful in helping you find one.

Black Belts

In accordance with the principles of Hanshi Steve Arneil and the International Federation of Karate, anyone in Australia who is already an actively practising black belt from another kyokushin organisation or another style of karate can be accepted into the organisation at black belt level, subject to approval of the IFKKA Executive Committee. There is a one-time lifetime international membership fee charged, currently A$20.00. This is the same fee charged to ANYONE who joins the IFK via the IFKKA..

If you are already dan-graded in Kyokushin in any of the Kyokushin factions, your current grade can be recognised and ratified, at the discretion of the IFKKA executive committee. However, you will not be able to grade further without demonstrating a thorough knowledge and command of the syllabus up to the next grade. If you have already got your 3rd dan or higher, then you will not be able to progress unless you can show a thorough knowledge of the the IFKKA syllabus, and by association, the IFK syllabus.

If you are dan-graded in a non-Kyokushin discipline, we will recognise your personal achievements and you will be able to join the IFKKA at shodan level. You will however be required fulfil the syllabus requirements before you will be able to grade higher. For the sake of simplicity, many who join often start again at white belt in the dojo, and usually progress through the grades quite rapidly because of their existing abilities . For tournaments however, in order to be fair to other contestants, they usually compete at their skill level rather than their Kyokushin grade level.

If you are accepted by the IFK as a black belt and you want an IFK Black Belt certificate and/or belt, a fee is payable that varies depending on the grade, payable in its entirety to the IFK in Pounds Sterling

Dojo Owners and Operators

If you run a dojo in Australia, kyokushin or non-kyokushin, the same rules apply as above for black belts. In the case of clubs joining the IFKKA, there is also currently a nominal, very low, annual dojo fee. Of course, you will also have to learn and teach the IFK syllabus from the start of your membership.

The incorporation of the IFKKA means that the executive committee is accountable to all members and the government, and that it is run primarily for the benefit of the member dojo. IFK Honbu does not interfere with the running of the organisation, as long as the reputation and standards of the IFK do not come into question and as long as the IFK syllabus is observed. Once you have joined, existing members will make every effort to bring you and your students up to speed with the syllabus.

If you need more information, please contact us.

IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN AUSTRALIA

The IFK operates on a country-by-country basis. This means that if you do not live in Australia and would like to join personally or as a dojo, then you cannot join via the IFKKA. You however still have a number of choices. If there is an IFK representative in your country, you should contact him/her to find out what arrangements can be made for you to join. Check this list to see if there is country representative in your country.

If there is no representative listed it is still possible that s/he hasn't yet been listed or, indeed, there is none. In this case, contact Hanshi Arneil or Shihan Liam Keaveney directly for details on how to join.