SAVE INDEPENDENT JUDO

A campaign to maintain the rights of independent judo groups

Campaign office:

41, Willow Walk

Crediton

Devon EX17 1DD

e-mail saveindependentjudo@tiscali.co.uk

Tel: 01395 265532

Martin Crick

Education and Training Manager (Coach Education)

sports coach UK

July 28 2008

Dear Martin

An overview of what has happened, where we are now - and a look ahead.

On May 18^th 2007 Robert Burles, Policy Official DCMS, wrote to me:

 “I would like to reassure you that our and sports coach UK’s position is clear. We expect all UKCC courses to be accessible including, in this case, to non-BJA members. The Chief Executive of the BJA has assured SCUK that they are working on arrangements to establish an appropriate system to achieve this, which will be reflected in their final agreed submission.”

Why then did sports coach UK fail to meet the given reassurance?

• The judo UKCC final submission was made in March 2007.

·         The judo UKCC was endorsed in February 2008.

• The judo UKCC endorsement DID NOT include “arrangements” of access for non-BJA members.

• The judo UKCC is STILL NOT accessible to non-BJA members.

·         For six months non-BJA members have been denied access to National UKCC judo courses because no “arrangements” for access have been made.

• Non-BJA members are further disadvantaged because future advertised UKCC courses, running into 2009, have already been offered to BJA members.

This is a blatant infringement of the rights of non-BJA members.

In May 2006 sports coach UK stated,

 “Coaches with existing qualifications will be given every opportunity to map their qualifications over to the national UKCC standards.”

·         In reply to enquires to DCMS and sports coach UK as to how non-BJA members will be able to map over their existing qualifications, the reply was,  “I would suggest that you explore these issues with the British Judo Association”.

• In May 2008 the BJA published information as to how existing BJA coaches will map over to the UKCC.

• There has been NO word as to how non-BJA qualified coaches can map over their qualifications to UKCC standards.

Here again, having given assurances on vital issues, sports coach UK fail to provide any information. Another case of, “we’re not responsible?”

• For eighteen months, since the BJA were forced to make a U turn on their rock -like policy that the UKCC would only be available to BJA members, and government made an announcement that access must be open to all, our repeated request for information on the promised access to the judo UKCC has either been met with silence, “Matter closed” or, “Ask the BJA”.

• Belatedly, on June 30 2008 you wrote to say you had, “alerted sports coach UK Coaching Standards Group of the BJA’s failure to publish this (details of access) and have asked them to address it”.

Now, a further month on, there is still no sign of details of access.

·         You say, ”There are constraints within which we (SCUK) have to work”.

·         sports coach UK say, “sports coach UK is NOT the lead agency in coaching within the UK, this role sits with the respective NGB’s.”

·         In response to our enquiry, “Who is responsible for policing national governing bodies of sport, particularly judo?”, the Parliamentary Ombudsman confirmed, “There is no form of general regulator for national governing bodies of sport.”

·         In February 2008 you wrote “We (SCUK) have taken active steps to try to resolve the judo situation.”

·         In contradiction, Pat Duffy, Chief Executive sports coach UK says, “It is impossible to undo what has already happened.”

In short,

·        The judo UKCC was endorsed and implemented without assurances being meet, and without full consideration given to non-BJA members.

·        For six months, since endorsement of the judo UKCC, non-BJA members have been denied access to UKCC judo courses.

·        Lack of communication from the authorities has not been helpful.

·        No one authority will accept responsibility – enquirers are sent back on the carousel.

·         sports coach UK have made clear it is NOT prepared, or not able, to put right mistakes and injustices.

·        sports coach UK say there are “constraints” within which we have to work”.

·        In the absence of any control (except financial grant aid) the BJA continues to do and say what it likes.

·        Belatedly, sports coach UK say, “There is a recognition of the difficulties within the system, especially within the martial arts” stating, “We have taken active steps to try and resolve the judo situation”.

All we know is that they have made an enquiring gesture to the BJA as to why details of access for non-BJA members have not been published.

·        sports coach UK, unaware of the full details of the arrangements the BJA have in mind, do not know if access arrangements for non-BJA members will be suitable, applicable, fair or proper.

Almost on a daily basis, the campaign is learning of more and more people from the martial arts world, who, hearing of the injustice, inequalities and lack of equity with regards to access to UKCC courses for non-BJA members, are becoming increasingly concerned about their future.

This has created an anti-UKCC mood. It has also fuelled the longstanding mistrust of NGBs and Sport England by many within the martial art fraternity. This mood is being perpetuated by the ongoing lack of communication, an ‘air of indifference’ and the, ‘It’s not our responsibility’ response from the authorities to enquirers with genuine concerns about their future.

 When the UKCC was first mooted, responsible leaders of independent judo and other martial arts groups, always looking to raising standards and developing best practice, recognised the merits of the UKCC qualification.

Now, on seeing how the UKCC is being implemented, we are hearing that many of these groups see little prospect of there being a fair and just UKCC for their activity. These groups are now working towards ‘upgrading’ (as and where necessary) their own coaching programmes to be stand-alone qualifications equivalent to the UKCC.

Sports coach UK belatedly talks of “resolve”. However, unless someone in authority is willing to take responsibility, is prepared to put right the wrongs, and has a real commitment to ensuring there is equality and equity for all who wish to access the UKCC, how can there be resolve Martin?

The campaign continues to be open and willing to engage in fruitful discussion.

Good wishes,

John Goldman

Campaign leader

Copies; Tom Hibbert MBE,  Andy Davies,  Rt Hon Gerry Sutcliffe Minister for Sport, Paul Clifton, Angela Browning MP, Roger Knapman MEP, Gordon Lawson, Jim Lawson, Others.