At SOMA, we believe it is important in the life of a martial artist to recognise significant achievements. As such, we want to mark milestones and achievements properly.
SOMA has a vast array of certificates to do just that. Here are some examples and what they are for:
CERTIFICATE OF INAUGURAL MEMBERSHIP
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
This particular example was awarded to Geoff Worden, Renshi who, like many others back in 2014, became an Inaugural Member of SOMA. All members received one of these to mark the occasion. Obviously, these certificates commemorated this one-time special event and are no longer issued.
CERTIFICATE OF GRAND MASTER OF MARTIAL ARTS
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
Grand Master of Martial Arts certificates are awarded to all practitioners, irrespective of style, who attain the rank of 8th Dan or 8th Degree or above. In this example, such a certificate was awarded to Professor Steve Miranda. Since this certificate was awarded Steve has gone on from the 9th Dan rank shown above to reach 10th Dan in his own style.
HONORARY CERTIFICATE
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
These certificates are honorary. Honorary first or second Dans are awarded to people who assist SOMA or member clubs with funding or in some other significant way. In this example, the recipient helped Glen Middleton’s Golden Dragon Budo Karate Club with some much needed funding. SOMA wanted to mark its appreciation to the gentleman who made that possible.
CERTIFICATE OF FOUNDING MEMBERSHIP
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
This certificate was awarded to each of the four Founding members. The Founding Members are shown on the page of the same name. This example belongs to Roy Fuller, Shihan who was awarded an Hon 8th Dan upon his retirement in 2017.
CERTIFICATE OF MASTER OF MARTIAL ARTS
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
Master of Martial Arts certificates are awarded to all practitioners, irrespective of style, who attain the rank of 6th Dan or 6th Degree or above. In this example, such a certificate was awarded to Colin Wee, Shihan.
CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
Every club that joins SOMA receives a membership certificate to denote its membership. In this particular example, the certificate was awarded to Redmond Crosby’s Zen Suru Kiritsuto club.
CERTIFICATE OF RANK
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
Whenever a member achieves a new rank, a certificate is awarded to that member to denote the achievement. This particular example was awarded to Bruce Jordan of the Jik Cheung Kung Fu Australia club to mark his elevation to 4th Degree.
JUDGE & REFEREE CERTIFICATE – CLASS ‘A’
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
Periodically, SOMA runs training days for members who aspire to act as judges at tournaments. Training consists of learning to referee and judge kata and forms, team kata and forms, demonstration events and sparring bouts. There are three classes of referees, the top is Class A, then there is Class B and the initial course which is Class C. Each class builds on knowledge and experience.
In the example above, presented to Tony Caruso, this is the top category, Class A.
JUDGE & REFEREE CERTIFICATE – CLASS ‘B’
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
Periodically, SOMA runs training days for members who aspire to act as judges at tournaments. Training consists of learning to referee and judge kata and forms, team kata and forms, demonstration events and sparring bouts. There are three classes of referees, the top is Class A, then there is Class B and the initial course which is Class C. Each class builds on knowledge and experience.
In the example above, presented to Amedeo Cella, this is the intermediate category, Class B. Further knowledge and experience is required to achieve Class A status.
JUDGE & REFEREE CERTIFICATE – CLASS ‘C’
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
Periodically, SOMA runs training days for members who aspire to act as judges at tournaments. Training consists of learning to referee and judge kata and forms, team kata and forms, demonstration events and sparring bouts. There are three classes of referees, the top is Class A, then there is Class B and the initial course which is Class C. Each class builds on knowledge and experience.
In the example above, presented to Ashleigh Jones, this is the introductory category, Class C. Further knowledge and experience is required to achieve Class B and then Class A status.
SPECIAL AWARD CERTIFICATE
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
SOMA also likes to acknowledge people who perform various jobs and assistance at functions such as tournaments or seminars or any other ‘get togethers’ or events. In the example above, this special award was made to acknowledge the work of Barry Jones.
SPONSORSHIP CERTIFICATE
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE:
Being a ‘not for profit’ association(*) with unpaid helpers, SOMA must rely on membership fees, grading fees and sometimes even donations to pay for its running expenses. One such expense, which can be readily seen here, is SOMA’s internet presence and the hosting and other costs therein.
Without funding, senior SOMA members must pay their own way to attend interstate and intrastate events like gradings, seminars, meetings and tournaments for the ongoing benefit and advance of each of its members.
* NOTE: Please refer to the SOMA Constitution under the tab marked ARTICLES —> SOMA Constitution.
In the example above, a financial donation was made by Leith Clarke of Iron Tile Roof Restorations which was appreciated very much.
NOTE: ALL certificates are covered by copyright.