Rules for Selection of Divisions

• Definition of an elite athlete for the purposes of VKL: An elite athlete is someone who has been a member of the Victorian team in either of the previous two years. Please note this does not include reserves.

• Any athlete who meets the above criteria must ONLY enter the Elite Divisions. However, this only applies to the discipline in which they have achieved state team selection eg if a competitor is a member of the State Team in Kata but not in Kumite, they are permitted to enter the development division in Kumite.

• Athletes who do not meet the definition of an elite athlete may enter the Development Divisions. These athletes may also choose to enter the Elite divisions however, an athlete who has entered both Divisions and places 1^st or 2^nd in the Elite Division cannot participate in the Development Divisions in future events.

Tournament Entry

All entries to the VKL tournaments must be done via SET Australia Online website: https://www.sportdata.org/karate/set-online/index.php

Equipment Requirements

Development Divisions

• Competitors must have approved protective equipment to enter sparring divisions - including AKF/WKF gloves, shin guards and instep protectors which MUST cover the toes, mouth guard, groin guard for males and chest guard for female cadets and above.

• Approved white head protectors are compulsory for children’s divisions.

• Body protectors are compulsory for all competitors including seniors.

• Blue and Red belts must be used throughout the Championships.

• However, competitors will only need either red or blue protective equipment NOT BOTH.

• If a contestant comes into the area inappropriately dressed they will be allowed one minute to remedy matters, otherwise they will be disqualified.

Further Information

• 4 & 5 Years kata and 6 & 7 Years kata are “Everyone Wins” events. Competitors perform their kata and ALL receive a medal.

• Development Kata Divisions – All categories: ROUND 1 & 2 Shitei Kata (Heian/Pinan/Gekisai/Saifa/Kanshuwa/Taikyoku). TOKUI/FREE kata ROUND 3 and after. Regardless of number of rounds the FINAL round is always TOKUI-FREE. Competitors will perform simultaneously in all categories, all rounds. 10th–7th KYU can repeat the same kata every round. All other divisions can repeat but not consecutively i.e A-B-A-B.

• Kumite Bout Times – Development Divisions – 1.5 minutes for ALL divisions with stop-start timer.

• Competitors 45 years and over entering Kumite must supply a medical clearance (issued within the last 2 weeks) on competition day to Event Manager.

• Please note: some events may be combined due to insufficient numbers.

• Age on the date of tournament (Development Division)

Victorian State Team Selection

All athletes seeking selection in the Victorian State Team MUST have participated in the Victorian State Championships the same year. Athletes seeking selection in the State Team to compete at the National Championships are encouraged to enter the Elite Divisions. Points accumulated over the four VKL tournaments in the Elite Divisions will be considered in the process of State Team selection. PLEASE NOTE IT IS NOT COMPULSORY TO ENTER THE VKL FOR SELECTION INTO THE VICTORIAN STATE TEAM.

Coaches Requirements

Coaches are to wear full tracksuits including footwear (no thongs or sandals) while coaching at VKL events. They are not required to have NCAS qualifications or coach’s passes/photo id.