Newsletter Newsletter 4/2017 ITF England National Championships

The ITF England National Championships were held on October 28 & 29 October at the Royal Masonic School in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. The Championships was open to all ITF England members with 250 competitors and 55 umpires taking part over the two days of competition. The Championships was organised by Master Nick Symonds 7th degree (ITF England tournament director) along with the Tournament committee comprising of Mr Tim Dunn 6th degree, Mr Sam Wood 2nd degree and Mr Jeff Brider 4th degree.

The Black belt competition took place on Saturday 28th with 80 black belts competing for the title of National champion and chance to be selected for the National team at next year’s European Championships in Slovenia. In attendance were, many of the competitors and Umpires who had recently attended World Championships in Dublin, thus ensuring a high standard of competition.

We were also honoured by the attendance of our VIP on the day GM Orello Ellis, who made the time to award medals and speak with officials.

On Sunday 29th, 180 colour belts from 17 Associations participated at the Championships. National team members & Head Coach Mr Johann de Silva 6th degree were in attendance to umpire at the event. This was a great effort by the National team who were an inspiration to the next generation of competitors as well as contributed hugely to the success of the event.

We were also very pleased to have Master Kim Anderson 8th degree attend as our VIP. Master Anderson gave a speech at the beginning of the day and awarded our newly qualified Umpires with their certificates.

Over the weekend we were honoured to have had the following ITF England GM and Masters contributing to the success of the Championship’s;

GM Orello Ellis - 9th degree (ITFE President 2002 -2009)
Master Tom Denis - 8th degree (ITFE Head coach 2002 -2009)
Master Kim Anderson - 8th degree (ITFE Vice president 2012-2016)
Master Ken Chesterman – 7th degree (ITFE Chief Umpire)
Master Nick Symonds – 7th degree (ITFE Tournament director 2010 - present)
Master PhillipLear – 7th degree (AETF Board member & Team manager 2012 -2016)

Thank you all for your support, we look forward to seeing you at next year’s Championships.