Support Kendo Team GB - 19th WKC Journey
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Help Us Make It Happen!
FUNDING PURPOSE - Although the team's travel expenses and accommodation for the WKC will be covered by the British Kendo Association, we are fundraising to cover the additional costs involved with preparing for the tournament. These costs are many, and involve attendance at other international practice events, and other associated expenses with the tournament itself.
Welcome to our fundraising campaign for Kendo Team GB, the Official National Team for Kendo of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We're excited to share our story and mission with you.
Kendo Team GB members are driven by a shared passion for Kendo and an unwavering commitment to representing our country and the members of the British Kendo Association (BKA) at the highest level of international competition.
Our journey is a testament to the dedication and spirit of Kendo practitioners in the UK.
Our team members invest tremendous time, effort, and resources into their daily training. They make exceptional personal sacrifices to ensure that they represent the UK in the best possible way. This commitment comes with significant personal expenses, including extensive national and international travel, often beyond the 'official' events partially funded by the BKA.
In July 2024, the 19th World Kendo Championships (WKC) will take place in Milan, Italy. This event presents an unparalleled opportunity for our team to shine on the international stage, right here in Europe. It's a chance to not only compete at the highest level but also to raise the profile of Kendo in the UK and worldwide.
To prepare for the WKC, we are determined to refine our team's skills by sending them to an essential practice event alongside rival national teams from across the continent. This practice event, combined with our intensive monthly Squad Training sessions, will enable us to achieve peak performance when it matters most.
We also aim to raise funds to ease the financial burden associated with participating in the tournament itself. While the BKA's annual budget contributes to the event's funding, we seek to reduce additional costs for both the BKA and our dedicated athletes.
By supporting our campaign, you become an integral part of our journey to the 19th WKC, helping us elevate Kendo in the UK and the world. Your generosity will directly impact our team's ability to compete at the highest level, ensuring that our athletes are well-prepared to represent our nation with pride.
Join us in this exciting adventure as we aim for excellence in Kendo and work to promote it throughout the UK, and the world.
But WHY Should YOU Support Kendo Team GB?
Supporting Kendo Team GB goes way beyond simply backing our elite athletes; it's about championing the art of Kendo internationally and the profound impact that goes with it. Here's a list of the benefits that your support will help realise:
- Promote Awareness: A successful national team raises awareness of the country's international standing in Kendo. This recognition can attract more people to the art, increasing the population of practitioners.
- Enhanced Support: Success at the international level can lead to better support from the International Kendo Federation (FIK). This support may include access to higher-level teachers, advanced training opportunities, and recognition in the form of high level grading exams.
- Inspire Young Practitioners: National teams serve as role models for young and aspiring Kendo practitioners. Their achievements can inspire the next generation of Kendoka who represent the future of our art.
- Promote Diversity: A successful national team often reflects the diversity of a nation. We have a team that represents various backgrounds and communities, and our success will promote diversity and inclusion within the art.
- Securing Further Funding: Success on the international stage can help secure funding at higher levels for the British Kendo Association (BKA) as a whole. This funding can be reinvested in the development and promotion of Kendo and its sister arts nationwide.
- Strengthening the Kendo Community: A successful national team fosters a sense of pride and unity within the Kendo community. It encourages camaraderie and collaboration among dojos and practitioners across the country.
- Preservation and Growth: Success at the international level contributes to the preservation and growth of Kendo as an art form. It ensures that the traditional values and techniques are upheld and passed on to future generations.
- Networking and Collaboration: Participation in international events fosters networking and collaboration with Kendo practitioners from around the world. This exchange of knowledge and experiences enriches the Kendo community as a whole.
- Community Engagement: National team success can engage the broader community and garner support beyond the Kendo community. It can be a source of national pride and unity.
- Promote Values: Kendo emphasizes values such as discipline, respect, and perseverance. A successful national team serves as an embodiment of these values, inspiring others to embrace them in their lives.
- International Exchange: Being part of the international Kendo community promotes cultural exchange and understanding, fostering goodwill between nations.
- Shape the Future of Kendo Education: Today's National Team Members are the Kendo teachers of tomorrow. By supporting them, you invest in the development of future instructors who will inspire and guide the next generation of Kendo practitioners, ensuring the art continues to flourish.
These benefits highlight the far-reaching impact of a successful national Kendo team, extending from the local Kendo dojo to the global stage in the world of Kendo as an art.
Thank you for being a vital part of Team GB's pursuit of excellence!
Organizer
Kendo Team GB
Organizer
England