Thursday, January 10, 2013

British Sombo Federation 2012 Annual Report


British Sombo Federation Annual Report for 2012

BSF President’s Report 2012

The year end with sad death of Lyn Costa wife of Secretary Keith Costa, Lyn was often seen in her electric buggy and before her MS got really bad she would be one of our table officials our thoughts go out to Keith and the rest of the family.
The year started with an invite to a formation of a Commonwealth Sambo Association this was the concept of a Lord Reading and Andrew Moshanov. The idea in principle was a good one but its formation was totally wrong, I have reported on this on several occasions but just to say at the meeting not one representative from the Commonwealth was an official member of FIAS 90% were Judoka, Andrew Moshanov is a Russian living in England and Lord Reading has never been seen at a Sombo event. So a very strange meeting especially as they formulated a committee etc. on contacting FIAS they had no knowledge of this organisation or Andrew Moshanov. It seems Andrew I believe is an employee of the FIAS President and very experienced Judo Coach who used to worked for the BJA. As this organisation was formed the BSF decide to organise a Commonwealth Sombo Championships to be held in September in Scotland this was a complete failure so much so we cancelled the event as the only entries we had were from the UK so it does put in doubt the viability of a Commonwealth Sombo organisation with out funding from FIAS or Lord Reading. Couple of good things came out of this meeting was that I met with Alan Jones the Welsh National Wrestling Coach and 7th Dan Judo who will be joining his Welsh Wrestling Association in 2013 and to meet up again with Terry Watt from Ulster he made CSA Secretary but has since resigned. The CSA has had no meetings, competitions etc. since to my knowledge and we have not been approached to affiliate. I hope some sort of Commonwealth body is formed but it must be done under the auspices of FIAS

I attended three major Internationals the European Championships held in Moscow a marvellous tournament, the World Masters in Casablanca well organised but dominated by the Eastern European Block we had just two fighters and finally in November the Worlds held in Minsk again a marvellous event with some excellent matches. My only complaints was the organisation of the registration, these are always pandemonium I have written to FIAS and made some suggestions and the events used to have a degree of socialising but this seems to be neglected. FIAS and ESF, for the first time, paid for our accommodation this was much appreciated and allowed us to bring two good teams to the event. The highlight of the these events was Matthew Clempner Junior winning a World Bronze in the O100k class, the first World Championship medal since 1990 a great finish to the year. Reports on all these can be seen on a web site and have been published in various Martial Arts Magazine and Web sites.

The BSF have been successful in running courses and competitions throughout the year but we had a couple of disappointments the Commonwealth competition had to be cancelled this date was taken over by Red Star Sambo even this only attracted 30 people and a tournament organised Bedford Grappling Academy was cancel due to lack of entries it seems the recession is taking its toll especially with the cost of fuel. The last two British Opens were held in Scotland but it was felt that it was time to move back to England but not too Sittingbourne where it had been for over a decade as this was to far for people to travel so next years British Open will be in Bedford 2nd Sunday in June an easier venue for people including flights into Luton.

BSF HQ will no longer be supplying Sombo equipment this has been handed out to Russell Dodds who has made major in roads in getting different supplies from around the World. I think one of the best things the BSF has done in recent years is to insist on correct kit at our events. The BSF looks forward to 2013 but we can not exist without the support of our members so we do need the various association affiliated to push for participation

Martin Clarke
BSF President
FIAS GrandMaster


The British Sombo Federation
Chairman’s Report 2012
Another full year for the British Sombo Federation, excellent turn out for both the British and Scottish Sombo Championships and this year stepping up the mark with a few good Combat Sombo players coming through to gain places in the World Championships in Minsk, Belarus in November and earlier on in the year for the European Sombo Championships in Moscow. Sombo/Sambo is on the up in the UK, in the last year there have been many seminars and coaching courses which are bringing much needed new blood into the sport and these are working, a good idea to keep at this. The only problems encountered have been the visa process for travelling also the way in which team selections were made this year for the trips abroad which has been a misunderstanding by a few people, this will have to be made crystal clear to anyone wanting to compete abroad in 2013, from the onset they must be aware that the British Sombo Federation is self funded as many of us also put a fair bit of time, effort and money into the sport that we love then others must do the same!
Olympic recognition is on the horizon but I feel that it is a long way off, FIAS part funded the trip to Belarus for the Worlds this year and we took a strong team to this major event in the Sombo calendar and for the first time in 25 years we came  away with a Bronze medal in the over 100 kilos section with big Matt Clempner on the podium. I feel that the British Sombo Federation should award Matt with the Master of Sombo award for his efforts, possibly at this year’s British Championships. Let’s look forward to 2013 and keep pushing the competitions, courses and seminars and remember that something that had very few players and members from the 1980’s onwards has now became somewhat of a success story.
I will be looking forward to seeing everyone at this year’s British and Scottish Championships.

Robin Hyslop
Chairman, British Sombo Federation  

Combat Sambo National Coach Report

Combat Sambo 2012
2012 so the introduction of a full format for Combat Sambo, from a Instructor award system to a full syllabus from White belt to 3 Degree Black.
Courses for Instructors for Level 1 and 2 were held in Burnley, Birmingham and West Yorkshire.
Qualifying 22 Combat Sambo and SportCombatSombo Instructors.
2012 also so a new club set up for Combat Sambo the Yorkshire Rose, Birmingham will be following in 2013.
Combat Sambo 1st Degree Black Belts were awarded to the Instructors at Yorkshire Rose after a 6-hour grading.
The Sport Combat Committee (SCC) was put in place for BSF, members could have a say in the way things are run and for Combat Sambo to be overseen and run correctly with all safety aspects in place.
2013 will see expansion in all areas within the Sport Combat field.

Allan Clarkin
National Sport Combat Coach

BSF National Sombo Coach Report

2012 was a very good year for Sombo with the British Sombo Federation taking a small team to the European in Russia in may and a full team to the worlds in Belarus in November as well as a team to the world master in morocco in October. The high light had to be seeing big Mat getting a bronze in the heavy weights and the first to do so for a very long time well done Mat. As the British coach I have to say I have been really impressed with the standard of the team player that have competed but if we are ever to get any real chance of competing with the eastern blocks we need funding and lots more squad training session where the team can all train together.
On another note we have had lots of coaching courses and promoted lots of new Sombo coaches so that we can get more people involved in Sombo.
Next year keep an eye out for dates of coach’s courses and dates for all comps.

All the best
John Clarke
National Coach
Master of Sombo



 B.S.F. Referees Report 2012
In terms of numbers, 2012 proved to be one of the most successful years in recent times, for The British Sombo Federation’s referees. We had six officials actively taking control in the middle, two from Scotland and four from England. We also had new mat side and table officials from the two countries. The first target for 2013, will be to increase these numbers and to get even more people involved and qualified. With the addition into the Federation, of the new Sombo clubs from Bedford and Burnley, this should easily be attainable.
Our second target will be to see a consistency in the application of rules in all tournaments. To this end, I would recommend a meeting of all officials before every competition starts. Particular emphasis should be on passivity, as shown in both the recent World and European Championships. This will encourage more throws and less defensive movement, as in fleeing the mat.
One major difference that we need to adopt is that the mat judge should score and evaluate every action independently, not just if he or she disagrees with the referee. In the event of two different scores from these two officials, the mat chairman’s decision should be final.
Ending on a positive note, the Federation obtained full referees uniforms this year. Undoubtedly, this, along with competitors wearing the correct kit, has added a professional image to our Federation.

Colin Carrott BSF Head of Referees Master of Sombo




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