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British Aikido Board


The National Governing Body for Aikido in the United Kingdom.
Aikido is a martial art founded by Morihei Ueshiba, that focuses on harmonising with your opponent, it can be practised as a sport, self defence and an art using hand to hand and japanese weapons.

Welcome to the British Aikido Board

The British Aikido Board seeks to:-

  • Represent the majority of bona fide organisations practicing aikido in the United Kingdom.
  • Support, encourage and promote the highest standards of aikido within an environment of mutual respect for offering styles practiced.
  • Raise awareness of the value of aikido not only as a contributor towards healthy living, but also in the development of adults, young people and children, without regard to race, gender or creed.

The British Aikido Board operates primarily through its member Associations. There are 53 currently Full Member Associations with 0 Associate and Probationary Member Associations of regional and national status, who each retain their independence, both technically and financially, with a combined membership of some 5,000 , which includes 1228 instructors holding current Coaching Awards.

The Board is recognised by Sport England , as the only governing body for aikido in the United Kingdom and is a member of the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

 

The Board seeks to further the advancement of all styles of aikido and to establish and monitor standards of safety and behaviour for practitioners of aikido.

The Board advises member Associations on all relevant UK and European legislation and procedures and develops appropriate policies and codes of practice.

Other services provided include:-
•  Insurance cover, for members, instructors and Associations.
•  Promotion of a Nationally recognised Coaching Scheme in conjunction with UK Coaching / Sport England.
•  Organising a National Courses.
•  Supporting initiatives to encourage the teaching of Aikido in schools.
•  Publishing Newsletters and specialist information bulletins eg. Safeguarding and Coaching.

The Board has completed a number of initiatives, arising from the work of their major Governance Audit and through the adoption of a wide range of recommendations, contained in their Aikido Development Plan will support their key objective of encouraging all Aikido groups to join together under this “Aikido umbrella”.

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Supplement 1 to the Coronavirus Guidance – Mat Area.

Supplement 1 to the Coronavirus Guidance  – Mat Area

Pods

A pod is a group of people who are training together including the coach, also spectators, parents, carers; if they are in the dojo and within 2 meters of the training area should be considered part of the pod maximum number. Individuals must only be part of a single pod at a venue.

Mat Area Capacity for socially distanced Aikido:

The coach and COVID-19 Officer has the responsibility to ensure that spacing guidelines are not compromised in any way, the mat ratio’s that the  British Aikido Board  are working to are a minimum mat space per participant of 2m x 2m but a preferred 3m x 3m shoulder be considered where possible.

The number of Aikidoka on a single mat area at one time will be dependent on the size of your mat area. It is recommended that the maximum number of participants in a session are 15 club members (one pod).

A Session Square for the pod coach is included for the coach.

The mat area will not always fit the geometry of dividing it up exactly into 2m x 2m areas (3m x 3m would be safer if you have enough space),

Aikido Session Management:

Venues where  there is 1 meter or more of clear space all-round the mat:

  • All aikidoka should stay within their designated session square of mat and, unless otherwise directed by the coach,:
  • Use/stay in  the centre part of the session  square. If possible,
  • All session squares must have the opportunity for the individual to leave the mat without compromising anyone else’s social distancing, this may need additional spacing where mat edges are up against obstructions.

 

Venues without at least 1 m of clear walking space around the mat:

  • All on mat disciplines remain the same as sessions having peripheral walk areas.
  • Additional processes will be required to facilitate the start and end  processes as mats against walls will not facilitate walking around other participants operational areas at safe distancing.

 

The coach must ensure that participants social distancing is maintained, this is a matter of:

  • Maintaining discipline during the session.
  • A fully effective start and  end process when participants are outside of their session square.
  • Injury / medical attention process   

 

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