A new chapter for KBGB referees

On Saturday 17th October in Wales, we held a Ringsports Level 2 referee course at WKO Kickboxing Warehouse Gym. It was part of a wider programme to strengthen referee development across Kickboxing GB.

We’re also pleased to announce the new KBGB Referees Council, chaired by KBGB Director Chris Collymore. The Council is a working group focused on developing the pathways and GB selection processes for referees and judges across tatami, ringsports and forms.

Council members are: Chris Collymore — Chair; Gordon Mitchell — Governance and Steering Group; Jacey Cashman — Technical Director, Events Committee; Geoff Aldridge — Lead Representative, Ringsports; Peter Markland — Lead Representative, Tatami; Nathan Salmon — Lead Representative, Forms.

The Council reports to the Performance Directorate, led by Sean Veira, which reports to the KBGB Board.

The Council will document and develop referee pathways, deliver courses and support progression. Lead representatives will also assess domestic referees at competitions. Feedback helps referees improve and contributes to promotion from domestic Class C towards Class A and the international pathway.

The new referees page on the KBGB website includes free Level 1 courses. They are open to anyone and introduce the rules, but do not qualify you as a referee. Level 1 is the starting point before the in-person Level 2 course, the first step towards domestic Class C. Visit the referees page: https://www.kickboxinggb.com/referees

Referees can also use the management portal to view events and register their attendance. Attendance records will contribute to advancement criteria. Open the referee portal: https://www.kickboxinggb.com/referee

With seven domestic competitions planned for next year, alongside the WAKO international circuit and opportunities connected to European and World Championships, there is plenty of scope to learn, gain experience and progress.

Interested in becoming a WAKO referee? Start with a free Level 1 course: Level 1 Tatami Referee — https://www.kickboxinggb.com/online-courses/level-1-tatami-referee · Level 1 Ringsport Referee — https://www.kickboxinggb.com/online-courses/level-1-ringsport-referee

Join KBGB on the journey to a better tomorrow.