This was the third national referees seminat to be hosted by Kashi No Ki Kenyu Kai. The seminar was lead by Mike Davis kendo 7th Dan Renshi. This was the third time I had attended the kendo referees seminar, not just because of being the leader of the above dojo and hosting the event, but I regularly attend the kendo refereeing seminar in Brussels each year.
The seminar started with the basic use of shinpan-ki and the importance of giving correct and clear signalling. I was pleased to refresh my knowledge again in this area as my coordination is pretty poor at times. Most of the rest of the morning followed along the same lines as previous refereeing seminars covering formal entering and leaving of the shiai-jo.
	Soon we were well under way refereeing individual and team shiai matches (or should I say trying to), its a fact that there is so much to focus on and remember but this was compensated with the fact that the day was filled with good humour and excellent tuition. It was nice not to be dragged around the shiai-jo by my keikogi if I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The day also created much discussion amongst students about refereeing, even those who had attended just to practice shiai.
After lunch came the most difficult but most important part of kendo refereeing, identifying correct Yuko-Datotsu. This really highlighted the importance of the responsibility you have as shinpan. I, like many other students on the day, found this subject most interesting and at times difficult to identify but I am sure this will improve. It is like practicing forms of kendo waza, it needs to be practiced repeatedly.
	I was most pleased to see an increase in the number of students attending this seminar, 17 in total, but we do need more of you, especially people to attend refereeing seminars on a regular basis and develop skills as a shinpan.

We as an Association need more skilled people as referees. Please do not use this seminar as an opportunity to gain your grading requirement, it is an important part of your kendo development. I would like to end by thanking Mike Davis for attending and giving such excellent tuition, and to all the students who attended this seminar.

Trevor Chapman, Kendo Godan, Kashi No Ki Kenyu Kai.