Rules for the European Championships

After the decision by the last Congress in Bratislava, Slovakia, the rules for the forthcoming European Championships in Maribor, Slovenia will follow the same ITF rules as were used in the World Championships in New Zealand. This means the following points for the National Teams:

1. The age of the competitors is dictated by their year of birth, this means that a competitor who is 13 years old and will turn 14 years on 31st December 2012 may compete. It also means that a Junior who has their 18th birthday on 1st January 2012 may compete as a junior or as a senior.
2. Each country may enter up to 3 Juniors for each event.
3. All competitors (Seniors and Juniors) must wear an approved head guard for free sparring.
4. The doboks that competitors wear must be from one of the approved companies (Top Ten, Top Pro, Fuji Mae, Gran Marc) or has been officially approved by the ITF.
5. There is still an existing agreement with Top Ten (for sparring equipment) and the AETF that finishes in 2012, therefore the sparring equipment for the Euros can only be Top Ten.
6. Competition Entrance fees:
   1. Individuals: 100 Euro
   2. Teams: 50 Euro
   3. Team Pre Free Arranged Sparring: free of charge
7. In Special Technique the Flying Side Kick (Twimyo Yop Chagi) has now been changed to Flying High Side Kick (Twmiyo Nopi Yop Chagi).
8. In Pre-Arranged Sparring the competitors must ensure that their sequence lasts between 60-75 seconds.
9. Juniors must wear a black belt with a white stripe measuring 1cm through the middle.
10. UMPIRES:
    1. Countries with 0-4 competitors may bring one (1) Umpire (no obligation)
    2. Countries with 5-15 competitors must bring one (1) Umpire
    3. Countries with 15+ competitors must bring two (2) Umpires
    4. Countries that do NOT bring an Umpire shall pay a fine of Euros €750 for each missing Umpire according to points b or c. These amounts shall be used for the development of Tournament & Umpire Committee.
    5. Countries who are NOT in possession of an Umpire may request an Umpire from a different country in order to avoid the fine.
    6. Extra Umpires shall pay for their own accommodation and meals.
    7. Umpires must attend the umpire workshop / meeting on Thursday, 29th April 2012 from 15.00 to 17.00 hrs dressed appropriately as per the ITF Umpire rules.
    8. Umpires who fail to attend the umpire workshop / meeting shall be removed from the umpire list and will be required to pay their own expenses.