4.0 Certification Requirements

ICO Framework handbook

4.0 Certification Requirements

4.1 Framework Structure

The ICO development framework comprises common components, and separate components relating to each of the three functions (Instructor, Coach, or Officiator), with criteria for each of those components.

The specifics of the criteria requirement are tiered for each level, and may differ depending upon the art (as determined by the Board and National Council). The individual specific requirements for each certification are contained in APPENDIX A.

4.2 Instructor Levels

Certification levels for the Instructor Cadre have been designed around progressive development of technical mastery of techniques and kata, from Assistant Instructor, to Instructor, and Senior Instructor.

Assistant Instructor

The AKR certified Assistant Instructor is a member who has a level of current technical mastery of the art, and under supervision of an Instructor or Senior Instructor, is developing instruction skills.

Instructor

The AKR certified Instructor is a member who has a level of current technical mastery of the art, combined with development of instruction skills, determined as appropriate for leading instruction.

Senior Instructor

The AKR certified Senior Instructor is a member who has a higher degree of current technical mastery of the art, combined with proven development of instruction skills, and instructing experience determined as appropriate to support, guide, and oversee the development of Instructors and Assistant Instructors.

NOTE THAT CERTIFICATION IN THE INSTRUCTOR CADRE IS CURRENTLY UNDER AN INTERIM MODEL UNTIL 2023.

4.3 Coach Levels

Certification levels for the Coach cadre has been designed around the Coach requirements, with Assistant Coach and Senior Coach created to reflect their support roles.

Assistant Coach

The AKR certified Assistant Coach is a member who has a level of current technical mastery of the art, and under supervision of a Coach or Senior Coach is developing (performance) coaching skills under supervision of an Instructor or Senior Instructor, is developing instruction skills.

Coach

The AKR certified Coach is a member who has a level of current technical mastery of the art, combined with development of specific skills in coaching, determined as appropriate for performance development.

Mentor Coach

The AKR certified Mentor Coach is a member who has a higher degree of current technical mastery of the art, combined with extensive development of skills in (performance) coaching to support, guide, and oversee the development of Coaches and Assistant Coaches.

Note: It is acknowledged that there is an extensive commitment to meet the requirements for Mentor Coach. However noting that the role is designed to develop Coaches, it is not necessary that every Dojo have a Mentor Coach.

NOTE THAT CERTIFICATION IN THE COACH CADRE IS CURRENTLY UNDER AN INTERIM MODEL UNTIL 2023.

4.4 Officiator Levels

Certification levels for the Officiator cadre has been designed around the progressive development of experience in assessing technical mastery from Assistant Officiator to Officiator, and Senior Officiator.

Assistant Officiator

The AKR certified Officiator is a member who has a level of current technical mastery of the art, combined with development of specific skills to assess the performance of AKR members against the official curriculum, standard, and rules of that art.

Officiator

Senior Officiator

The AKR certified Senior Officiator is a member who has a higher degree of current technical mastery of the art, combined with extensive experience in assessing the performance of AKR members against the official curriculum, standard, and rules of that art.

NOTE THAT CERTIFICATION IN THE OFFICIATOR CADRE HAS NOT YET BEEN IMPLEMENTED.

4.5 Updates and Changes

The sporting industry/community will identify new initiatives of relevance to this framework which may require changes to the certification requirements. In determining whether updates or changes should be made, the National Council shall consider:

Long-term and short-term merits to the AKR members;
Implementation strategy, including costs and resources;
Allowing sufficient time for members to undertake new requirements;
Impact on existing certifications (and any interim exceptions or timeframes for compliance);
Any barriers to implementing changes.

4.6 Children and Vulnerable Persons

The state government regulatory requirements and authorisation procedures regarding working with children and vulnerable persons differ from state to state - in some states there is only reference to children (and the age definitions vary), and in others states there is a broader and more holistic definition of vulnerable which includes children.

It is therefore acknowledged that between clubs the requirements to hold state authorisation will differ. For example some state only require authorisation when working with children – this will obviously not apply to Instructors/Coaches/Officiators of clubs that do not provide children’s classes.

Therefore, certification as Instructors/Coaches/Officiators will include mandatory training in the relevant child protection principles, however not include requirement for State Authorisation for working with vulnerable persons and/or children.