This communication will serve as an introduction to the International Federation of Martial Arts or IFMA, and is intended for members, competitors, parents, instructors, school owners, and any other competitive martial arts enthusiasts.

Some background on our organization: 

•  ~ The IFMA first and foremost is an organization that belongs to its members, competitors, parents and promoters from the Northeast region of Canada and the United States. This is YOUR organization.   From the very beginning the principles of the organization were centered on an uncompromising commitment to total objectivity and fairness in EVERY ring for EVERY competitor, and QUALITY events with true VALUE and APPRECIATION for every dollar spent at our events.   

~ The Board of Directors of the organization holds open meetings 8 to 10 times per year, and anyone is welcome and encouraged to attend and/or volunteer to be involved in any way that makes him/her feel comfortable.  The Board is in fact made up of the tournament promoters, school owners, tournament referees, competitors and parents that are part of the league. This makeup allows us to see issues from every perspective and make changes that positively affect the martial arts competition experience.  The two guiding principles that shape all discussion at meetings are: 

               1) The proposed action or change must be fair to the competitor.

    2) The proposed action or change will help increase the value of the tournament and the circuit to the competitors and parents who are investing in our tournaments and circuit. 

~ A few of examples of positive changes that have come as a result of this type of focused thinking were:

§  The move to five point fights for all competitors.

§  A totally open shuffle where the competitors pick their own cards.

§  A fixed scoring range that keeps scores fair for all competitors.

§  Forms divisions for competitors of different traditional styles in addition to the open divisions.

§  Separate divisions for female fighters at the junior Black Belt level.

§  Separate divisions for female Black Belt Grand Champion Fighters.

§  Grand Champion divisions for under belts grouped by age and belt rank and including all forms, weapons and self-defense divisions.

~ These changes and others have enhanced the experience of competitors, spectators and parents on our circuit.

The Banquet and Championship Tournament, Internet Ratings, and Annual Recognition:

~ The centerpiece of your league is the ratings system and annual recognition of your accomplishments throughout the year at the annual Banquet and Championship Tournament.

~ The Banquet has grown in size and stature every year.  One of the features that set us apart from other local circuits is that member competitors from every state and/or province are recognized if they have competed and placed.  The Tournament Series Awards presented at the Banquet are for your efforts throughout the competition year.  Your final year standings are for points earned in competition at rated tournaments throughout the year. 

~ You will be able to track your points and get other news about the league and competition Martial Arts from the league website www.ifmaratings.com.   Competitors are recognized in almost 300 categories separated by age, belt level and gender. We also recognize other top competitors with a wide array of additional awards for other distinguished accomplishments. 

~ The Championship Tournament will recognize the season’s champions as they compete for 106 of the most coveted titles in competition Martial Arts.

Rules and Judging:

~ Our circuit has only two goals in mind with respect to rules, and that is that they be fair and applied evenly.  IFMA Rules are in writing and work very well when applied fairly.  We ask all judges who work IFMA tournaments to simply call what they see… period.

~We have started judge’s clinics so that our officials have a clear understanding of the rules that they are being asked to enforce.  This will have a positive long-term effect on the value our competitors have come to expect at any of our events.

Our Summer Camp:

~ We have run a wildly successful and fun martial arts camp in the past. Our instructors have come from all over New York, Ontario and Pennsylvania and have put together world-class seminars on: 

§  Breaking

§  Weapons

§  Self-Defense

§  Point Sparring

§  Forms

~ In addition we have campfires, swimming and an out-of-this-world Project Adventure high ropes course and climbing wall that you have to experience to believe.  This is all done at a cost to the participant that is affordable. All are welcome!

Tournaments and Point Structures:

~ Our tournament promoters are invited to become a part of the Federation only if they agree to adhere to the highest standards of delivering a quality experience.

~ Our tournaments are known for not dragging on unnecessarily long.

~ We try to address any concerns quickly and to everyone’s satisfaction.

~ We run over 100 divisions that are chosen to represent the wide variety of Martial Arts styles represented in our area.

~ All our tournaments will offer unique Grand Champion awards in the following nine categories:

 12& Under Novice Forms, Weapons and Self Defense

 12& Under Intermediate Forms, Weapons and Self Defense

 12& Under Advanced Forms, Weapons and Self Defense

 13 To 17 Kyu Belt Forms, Weapons and Self Defense

 18 + Kyu Belt Forms, Weapons and Self Defense

 Jr. Black Belt Forms, Weapons and Self Defense

 18 + Black Belt Forms, Weapons and Self Defense

 18 + Black Belt Female Sparring (At Individual Promoters Discretion)

 18 + Black Belt Male Sparring

~ The Point Structure for all IFMA Sanctioned Tournaments will be a follows:

                             AAAAA       AAAA       AAA       AA       A

  1^st                    25                22             19          16       13

  2^nd                   20                17             14          11        8

  3^rd                   15                 12              9            6        3

  4^th                   10                   7              4            2        2

  5^th                     8                  4   5^th-8^th   1            1        1

  6^th                     6                  3

  7^th                     4                  2

  8^th                     2                  1

~ Track your standings, or download flyers for any IFMA tournament or Summer Camp, or competitor registration forms on the IFMA Website at www.ifmaratings.com.  Visit the site often for updated news and pictures from IFMA events!

Membership and Benefits:

~ Our season starts with the first IFMA Rated Tournament of the season, and ends with the Awards and Recognition Banquet and Championship Tournament the following February or March.

~ There is a DOUBLE POINTS Tournament which will rotate among different IFMA Promoters tournaments every year.

~ The dues for the year are $30.00. Dues must be  paid by July 31 of the current competition year.  After July 31 the IFMA member dues for the current competition year will be $40.00 (Effective 2006 competition season). All dues must be paid in order to receive your awards at the banquet or be eligible for any member benefits.  All member benefits are applicable as of the time that dues are paid.  There are no refunds for benefits at events that took place before dues are paid.

~ All CURRENT IFMA member competitors will receive a $5.00 discount off of the posted pre-registered or door competition fees for any IFMA sanctioned event.  This applies to COMPETITION FEES ONLY.

~ All members will receive an I.D. Card for the current competition year.  Members will also receive an Official IFMA patch color coordinated to correspond with the number of years the competitor has been a member in good standing.

The Future:

~ The future of the IFMA couldn’t be any brighter!  We have the area’s most experienced martial arts professionals, competitors and parents who are committed to a quality product for everyone to enjoy.

~ The strength of the league is it’s unwavering commitment to the competitor. Join us and enjoy another great year on the area’s best and only true multinational circuit.

All the best for a successful and enjoyable Martial Arts competition year.

Your International Federation of Martial Arts Board of Directors.