International Wado Federation

Membership

Conditions for Membership Acceptance:

All Clubs/Groups must train in traditional Wadoryu Karate-do; or intend to do so within 12 months of application acceptance.

Wado Applicants must come from a ‘credible’ Wado source or lineage, for example (these examples are not exhaustive); Japan Karate Federation (JKF-Wadokai), Wado International Karate Federation, Wado Academy/Renmei, etc.

Wado Applicants must not already belong to another World/International Wado Governing Body, unless it is itself in membership of the IWF.

All applicants must agree to and abide by the IWF Rules and Regulations at all times.

Rules and Regulations of the International Wado Federation (Valid from 1st October 2021)

Minimal Technical Requirements MUST include:

These minimum requirements must be followed throughout the entire membership of IWF and failure to follow the minimum technical requirements (within 12-months of accepted provisional membership), will result in expulsion from IWF.

For further information please refer to your National Representative/s for clarification, as they should be well versed with the traditional Wadoryu requirements for membership to the International Wado Federation.

Types of Membership:

1. Allied Member (International Wado Federation):

Fully Autonomous with own Constitution, Insurance, Operational & Administrative Policies and Syllabus, etc. Chief Instructors have sole responsibility for their own group & individuals, therefore the International Wado Federation will not be held responsible for any Association or Group in membership. Chief Instructors have no control (administrative or technical) over other IWF Associate members, unless invited to do so.

Note: It is the responsibility of each Association/Group in membership to ensure that all members are adequately insured. It is also the responsibility of each Chief Instructor/Director to ensure that all their instructors are adequately insured, possess CRB/DBS (or equivalent) and 1st Aid Certification.

Note: For Allied membership, the International Wado Federation is NOT a grading authority; this is the responsibility of the relevant member-group. Please use the correct application-form for Grade Registration/Advancement within the International Wado Federation.

2. Associate Member:

Fully Autonomous with own Constitution, Insurance, Operational & Administrative Policies and Syllabus, etc. Chief Instructors have sole responsibility for their own group & individuals, therefore the International Wado Federation will not be held responsible for any Association or Group in membership. Chief Instructors have no control (administrative or technical) over other IWF Associate members, unless invited to do so. There are Chief Instructor grade advancement services available for Associate Member Groups within the British Wado Federation.

Application for Membership

Licensing and payment can now be done through our Wado Portal – (this will open a third party form).

 

If an applying organisation can ‘confirm’ qualifications in Wadoryu Karate then the organisation can affiliate direct to the International Wado Federation as an already established Wado organisation.

However, if an organisation wishes to pursue Wado qualifications & training in Wadoryu Karate, in order to become a Wado organisation, then the application must go under their National Representative/s for technical direction, support and guidance. If a National Representative is unavailable then an already established IWF Association or outside Wado Group may be accepted to help with the transition to Wado Karate.

Any questions about licensing to licence@iwf-karate.org please.

International Wado Federation Black Belt Registration Application Form – Return/Apply in ‘word.docx’ format (if by email) only. 

Chief Instructor Grade Advancement
Download File

IWF Black Belt Registration
Download File

Disclosure and Safeguarding

The highest standards in the protection of children and vulnerable adults is expected of IWF members at all times.

It is essential that every child (or adult) is safe throughout karate coaching sessions:

  • – the welfare of the child / vulnerable adult is paramount
  • – all participants, whatever their age, gender, culture, language, racial origin, religious belief, sexual identity or disability, have an equal right to be safe and protected
  • – all suspicions, concerns or allegations of harm must be taken seriously and responded to appropriately
  • – all instructors involved with children or vulnerable adults must be aware of their expected standards of behaviour and responsbilities

The IWF Child Protection Officer is Elizabeth Rayman, shodan (email)

For the UK, instructors MUST apply for Disclosure checking (Enhanced and Standard DBS – formally Criminal Records Bureau checks). Please see Gov.uk Disclosure and Barring Service (gov.uk, opens in new window)

Further information and guidance about safeguarding may be found at these independent sites:

First Aid and Health and Safety

IWF members are responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of their participants. However, injuries in karate can happen and IWF members are expected to have adequately trained first aiders available and provide a safe place to train in.