KRANE certfication

[Akil Todd Harvey]

Jay Sensei,

I am interested in being an official at some competitions coming up in Pomona, CA and San Diego, CA. Both are NASKA rated and use the UTK rule book. I am contacting the promoters to arrrange my status with them as an official, but I was wondering how they look upon the KRANE certification I have.

I am trying to weigh the need to attend one of their official certification training seminars (which are free as far as I am know, although kind of far to get to) versus not going to their seminar and then being out of touch with the proters' expectations of how the matches should be judged.

I was also hoping to see who I could find at these events from the Uechi world. I know some of you get to some far places, like Baptista Sensei, my original teacher. I have been out of the tournament scene for a while (not they I ever won any trophies), the New England Open is an event that I have missed tremendously. For that reason I am interested in going to a few large events and maybe some smaller events in other styles like escrima/kali or grappling events like jud/jujitsu/whatever (I have been to one or two small events last year, but am trying to get a few more in this year).

Some might say you dont learn much at tournaments, but I learned a few things watching the door, being a ref, coordinating, etc. at Sensei Baptista's tournament over the years.

And I promise to be more openminded about Uechi tournaments on the West coast. The Uechi Seed was planted on the east coast and is spreading, slowly to plant itself in far flung places and take strong root. If not this year, the Uechi tournies on this coast will succeed at some point.

If I teach two people and they teach two people and so on and so on.....Who knows what could happen.....

ATH

[JaySal]

Hi Todd:

Glad to see you getting more involved and back into it..

First,,, NASKA & KRANE although two different organizations.
Both use the exact same tournament rules. Rich Bap is the Vice
President of NASKA,,, He is very active in both groups.

You are KRANE certified… Once you are certified, its permanent.
It will not expire. Over time,, rules due change,,, Their have been
Some rule changers, and modifications over the last few years..
The best way to find out what those changers are is to go to the
KRANE web site (www. Krane.com),,, they have the rules
Posted… They are also posted on the NASKA web site.

If you do not have a KRANE referee shirt,, you can always contact
Tony Cogliandro, the president of KRANE… He can get you another
one made

You are correct,,, the Uechi seed has spread all over the world..
And the truth is, we have George Mattson to thank for that…
There are a number of Uechi teachers in California. But it is such
A large state, they are all over. There are Uechi teachers like,
Henry Thom,,, Sheldon Dunn,,, Alan Dollar,,, You now !!!!
Many others….

Try taking the lead,,, take the bull by the horns and contact
These other teachers,,, Talk to them about starting a Uechi
Ryu children’s tournament series.. I mean what’s the worst
that can happen,,, they may say no… That does not mean you
have to stop… Start you own Uechi program… You remember
when I started the program at U/Mass Boston,,, No one helped me..
I did it all on my own,,, I walked into the athletic directors office
And said I would like to start a karate program.. After all,,,,, all
He could due is say no… As it turn out he said yes,,, The rest
You know… That dojo and program is still running today..
My student, Brian MacDonald (Yondan),, is now running it.
The U/Mass Boston dojo… All from the program I started
About 10 years ago….

Do not wait for people or things to come or to contact you,,,,
YOU,,,, make things happen for yourself….
Take the initiative,,, become a player,,, not a follower….
Be a leader… Start the uechi program,,, I will help you..
There is such a thing as email, and a phone… I can always
Help,,, I am a phone call away…

Take care – Jay

PS: Remember Mike Munn,,, is a real big wig at National Semi Conductor…
Multiple departments all report to him,,, Not bad for a Geography Major..

[Akil Todd Harvey]

Jay Sensei,

Many thanks for the words of encouragement as well as the useful information. I will try to use you as a resource from time to time, relying mostly on my own devices, but counting on your expertise (and that of others in the organization) as needed.

I have found a local Uechi Dojo run out of the home of Sensei Graziano. It is small and intimate. Very nice. A good source of guidance and instruction will come out of this place.

I still have my ref shirt saying KRANE on the back. I have used it on a few occasions and intend to use it at the upcoming events (many thanks for the training that you personally did for me).

I also have noticed that KRANE changed their name some time back to reflect a more national or even internaitonal coverage rather than where it roots were, more of a regional organization.

I will do as you suggest and check out the UTK latest version of the rules as I imagine my rule book may be somewhat dated.....

Best wishes to you and your family,

ATH