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Membership of the International Budo Federation Great Britain is open to individual martial artists, instructors and practitioners from all recognised martial arts styles and systems. IBF membership is valid for 12 months from the date you join or renew, so there is no longer a fixed annual renewal date. When your membership is due for renewal, you will receive an email reminder. To keep your IBF Great Britain membership, insurance and recognised grade current, the following annual membership fees apply:
• Adults: £25.00 per year
• Juniors (Under 16): £15.00 per year
• IBF Coaches (17+): £50.00 per year
Membership includes an IBF Budo Pass.
New members who already hold a legitimate martial arts grade may apply to have their existing grade formally recognised by the International Budo Federation. All new membership applications and requests for grade recognition must initially be submitted to Sensei Tom Starling, President of IBF Great Britain and Director of The International Budo Federation (UK) Limited, together with appropriate evidence and verifiable certification. Applications are considered on their individual merits to help maintain the integrity and credibility of IBF-recognised grades. If an application for grade recognition is refused, the applicant has the right to appeal directly to the IBF International Committee, which may independently review and verify the application. Please remember: an IBF-recognised grade remains valid only while your International Budo Federation membership and insurance are current.
* Important:To maintain the validity and recognition of your IBF grade, your International Budo Federation membership and insurance must remain current. If your membership expires, your IBF-recognised grade will no longer be considered current, even if you have retired from active training.If your membership lapses and you later wish to restore the validity of your IBF grade, any outstanding membership fees for the period of non-membership must be brought up to date.
Being a member of the International Budo Federation Great Britain entitles you to half price fees to all Internationa Budo Federation Great Britain seminars and your grade recognised in over 30 different countries.
In accordance with our child protection policy, we will not permit photographs, video or other images of young people to be taken without consent. If the child is under 16, consent must be obtained from a parent/carer.
The IBF fully recognises the need to make optimal provision for the safeguarding and wellbeing of children and young persons, that participate in martial arts, either as a self-defence art or sport environment and acknowledges it's moral and legal responsibility to ensure that the welfare of the child is paramount.
Participate in martial arts for enjoyment and in a manner consistent with the IBF values of honesty, respect, trust and martial arts spirit.
Whilst the IBF recognises the importance of social media and the many positive effects it can have, we also recognise that without a code of practice the risks which social media poses can have negative consequences for individuals and for the organisation as a whole.
President IBF-GB Sensei Tom Starling 9th Dan Vice President IBF-GB Sensei Hayden Michaels 5th Dan. Official IBF-GB Sensei Julian Mallaleu 7th Dan; Official IBF-GB Grand Master Martin Sillitoe; Official IBF-GB Sensei Jenna Kassam 5th Dan; Official IBF-GB Sensei Brett Lemon 5th Dan; Official IBF-GB Rob Lewis 4rd Dan
The International Budo Federation was created by Sensei Peter Schonewille 10th Dan Taekwondo in the Netherlands in the mid 1960's. As the IBF was a fundamentally European based Martial Arts Organisation western titles were used to demonstrate senior positions within the IBF. The IBF President, Vice President and Official Country titles are more suitable for all parties within European and Western cultures. Although primarily teaching Eastern Japanese, Chinese and Korean Martial Arts, instructors often used titles such as Sensei, Sifu and Sabom respectfully. Other titles should only be awarded by heads of Martial Arts Organisations from their respective Country of origin. The IBF does not recognise self promotions or self given gradings in any of the Martial Arts. We definitely do not grade people higher just for just joining the IBF-GB. If you join the IBF from other organisations or are in dual membership and with another Organisation the IBF-GB has the right to refuse recognition of your grade and if you state falsely your grade or present false documents of proof at the time or are found out to be later you have provided false certification or proof you will be removed from the IBF-GB as a member. You will have a right to appeal to the President of the IBF International, the Technical Commissioner of the IBF International and the international Committee at their annual meeting. Sensei Tom Starling 9th Dan | President IBF GB
The International Budo Federation (UK) Limited does not charge a grading fee for Kyu grades, and the appropriate coloured belt is supplied free of charge, provided that the student holds a current IBF membership and the Sensei/Grading Examiner is a fully registered coach and current member of the International Budo Federation. The Sensei or Grading Examiner may, however, charge their own fee for conducting the grading. The prices shown below are the IBF recommended retail prices for Kyu gradings. These are provided as guidance only and are not fixed fees. The actual amount charged is determined by the individual Sensei or Grading Examiner and may therefore differ from the recommended price shown. Please check the applicable grading fee with your Sensei or Grading Examiner before undertaking your grading.
Junior price.
Adult price.
The coloured belt and Dan grade system provides a structured method of recognising a practitioner's rank, progression, knowledge and increasing level of expertise within the syllabus. This system was subsequently adopted and adapted by many different Martial Arts around the world. Recognised Dan Grading Systems The International Budo Federation (UK) Limited recognises two Dan grading routes for Kano Jiu-Jitsu: Technical (Traditional) - based upon the recognised Kodokan Kata requirements. Competitive Freestyle - assessment through the recognised competitive freestyle grading route. The applicable grading route and requirements remain subject to the approval of the IBF-GB Technical Commission and, where required, the IBF International Committee. 1st Dan - Shodan Kano Jiu-Jitsu Official Grading Syllabus IBF-GB. Minimum age: 16 years. 2nd Dan - Nidan Kano Jiu-Jitsu Syllabus IBF-GB - Traditional or Freestyle. Candidates following the Traditional route must include Kime No Kata and Nage No Kata. 3rd Dan - Sandan Kano Jiu-Jitsu Syllabus IBF-GB - Traditional or Freestyle. Candidates following the Traditional route must include Kime No Kata, Nage No Kata and Kodokan Goshin Jutsu. 4th Dan - Yondan Kano Jiu-Jitsu Syllabus IBF-GB - Traditional or Freestyle. Candidates following the Traditional route must include Kime No Kata, Nage No Kata, Kodokan Goshin Jutsu and Katame No Kata. 5th Dan - Godan Kano Jiu-Jitsu Syllabus IBF-GB - Traditional or Freestyle. Candidates following the Traditional route must include Kime No Kata, Nage No Kata, Kodokan Goshin Jutsu, Katame No Kata and Koshiki No Kata. 6th Dan and Above Grades above 5th Dan, from 6th Dan to 8th Dan, are awarded by vote and require the approval of the IBF International Committee. Applications must be supported by a complete Martial Arts CV and a formal proposal from the applicant's IBF Country National Representative. These grades are normally considered and voted upon once a year at the IBF International Congress, usually held in October. 6th Dan - Rokudan Kano Jiu-Jitsu IBF-GB. Minimum age: 35 years. The candidate must be formally proposed by their IBF Country Committee President. Dan Grading Examiner Requirements From 1st Dan onwards, the Senior Grading Examiner must normally hold a grade at least two Dan grades higher than the grade being attempted. For example, a candidate attempting 2nd Dan should normally be examined by a Senior Grading Examiner holding a minimum grade of 4th Dan. Where an appropriately graded Senior Grading Examiner is not available, a grading panel may be used. The panel must consist of no fewer than three qualified Grading Examiners, with each examiner holding a grade at least one Dan grade higher than the grade being attempted. For example, a candidate attempting 2nd Dan may be assessed by a panel of at least three 3rd Dan Grading Examiners. Dan Grade Certificates All official Dan Grade Certificates are issued exclusively by the President of the International Budo Federation (UK) Limited. This ensures that recognised Dan grades are formally recorded and certified by the Federation. A Dan grade is not considered officially certified by the International Budo Federation (UK) Limited until the appropriate grading requirements have been satisfied and the official Dan Grade Certificate has been issued by the President. Dan Grading Fees - 50% Club Instructor / 50% International Budo Federation (UK) Limited Where the Club Instructor is a fully registered Coach and current member of the International Budo Federation, the Dan grading fee is divided equally between the Club Instructor and the International Budo Federation (UK) Limited. 50% of the Dan grading fee is retained by the Club Instructor for conducting and administering the grading. 50% of the Dan grading fee is payable to the International Budo Federation (UK) Limited for the Federation's administration, registration and official certification of the Dan grade. This 50% / 50% fee arrangement applies provided that the Club Instructor conducting the grading is both a fully registered Coach and a current member of the International Budo Federation. The complete Dan grading fee breakdown is shown below.
Must be 16 years of age or older.
Must be Over 18 and two years Training Since 1st Dan.
Minimum guide three Years Training Since 2nd Dan.
Minimum guide four Years Training Since 3rd Dan.
Minimum guide five Years Training Since 4th Dan.
Minimum guide six Years training Since 5th Dan.