Niketa Wells - International Taekwon-do Federation of New Zealand

REGULAROFFICIALS’ ATTIRE– A DOBOK REMINDER AND A BIT ON SETTING THE TONEBy Mr Kane Raukura V dan, Standards & Discipline AdvisorSTANDARDSIn this article I would like to address threeseparate areas. Firstly, I would like to focuson the appropriate officials’ attire withinvarious settings. Please take a moment toread through and make sure that you areaware of the following.Officials Attire forTournaments:Dress for Judges and RefereesOfficials shall wear the following uniform:1 navy blue blazer with ITF lapel badge(optional), 1 pair of navy blue trousers.1 ITKD tie (International Instructors maywear the ITF Tie). 1 white shirt (men) or awhite blouse (women). 1 black dress belt.1 pair white socks and 1 pair white shoes.Women do not need to wear the tie.Dress for other OfficialsOther Officials should be dressed for theirtasks in a white top (preferably collared),navy blue pants (long) or skirt, and whiteshoes and white socks. Their dress shouldbe clean and well presented. Tournamentorganisers may arrange identifying clothingdifferent from the above, as long as itappears professional and responsiblyreflects the ideals of ITKD.Dress for CompetitorsThroughout the duration of thecompetition, the dobok must be worn(from official opening to official closing).During competition no other articles maybe worn other than those specified - i.e. nosweatbands etc. During intervals, clothingsuch as a tracksuit may be worn over thedobok.For Gradings:Dress for InstructorsAs per the judges and referees, attire withthe exception of black socks and blackdress shoes.Dress for Black BeltsAll must attend in an approved dobok asper the Standards of Dress for Training.Dress for Grading MembersStudents must attend in the approveddobok as per the Standards of Dressfor Training. Students have the option ofwearing shin pads, mouth guard, groinguard (men) and chest protector (women).Grading members must also appear wellgroomed, tidy and follow the same Rulesof Conduct as listed in the Standardand Discipline document regardless ofthe dojang, hall or gymnasium they aregrading in.Please note, that the supply of all therequired officials attire is available onthe ITKD website : www.itkd.co.nz/store.All sizes and items are available onrequest. If you officiate, or intend to inthe future, it is your responsibility to beappropriately dressed at events. As officials,the public watch you very carefully andyour appearance and accompanyingbehaviour is very important to how theyperceive the organisation. So, dress welland do us proud.The next area is to do with any NZcompetitor who has represented thecountry and who owns a foreign dobokreceived as a swap. Below is a reminderof the regulations surrounding their use:From Page 7 of the S&D document“Standards For Dress”“6. Doboks obtained at international eventsfrom overseas competitors maybe worn atschool level, if permission is granted by theInstructor, as they may provide inspirationand motivation. However, as they are notthe correct uniform of the Foundationthey may not be worn at any official event.E.g. Regional or National Tournament orGrading.”This regulation is also important as itensures that all parties at a tournamentfeel that there is no advantage – whetherreal or perceived – that a past overseascompetitor may gain from publiclydisplaying a foreign dobok meant foroverseas use only.The last area I would like to address isabout setting the tone.A number of people have addressed meregarding etiquette issues over the past sixmonths. Various things like behaviour, slackattitudes and the poor use of titles etc. Ineed to take this opportunity to remindour senior black belts and instructors thatthe tone in the dojang and from students atexterior events comes directly as a result ofyour very clear expectations of them. Thecontrol of this is not the sole responsibilityof Standards and Discipline – we cannot beat all places at once and are sadly lackingomnipresence. We all need to be beatingthe same drum. Those who know what isexpected must ensure a firm but fair handis evident both from within the dojangand from without, when at tournamentsetc. This firm hand does not need to befrom the student’s instructor, any seniorhas the authority to pull a junior grade upand reprimand them if necessary. We caneasily take a twist on an old saying, “It takesa whole village to raise a child.” We musttake the same outlook and help each otherout with regards to etiquette.On the behalf of Standards and Discipline,have a safe and happy Christmas and NewYear.ISSUE TWO, 20123333