University of Derby Doctor of Education May 2018
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Professionalisation of the Martial Arts: the perspectives of experts on the concept of an independently awarded teaching qualification. Item Type Thesis Authors Spring, Charles Download date 02/10/2021 22:03:22 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10545/623358 University of Derby Professionalisation of the Martial Arts: the perspectives of experts on the concept of an independently awarded teaching qualification. Charles Spring Doctor of Education May 2018 1 Sensitivity: Internal Abstract Professionalisation of the Martial Arts: the perspectives of experts on the concept of an independently awarded teaching qualification. Charles Spring In the United Kingdom there is an unregulated martial arts ‘industry’. The aim of this study was to examine whether this ‘industry’ required professionalisation through the rationalisation of qualifications for teaching, instructing or coaching practice. Currently, the martial arts consist of a very disparate set of organisations which have what, at best, could be called a varied range of professional standards across teaching, instructing and coaching. Professionalism struggles with the lassaiz-faire approach to qualifications and this creates differing expectations of the teachers, coaches and instructors within the organisations Viewpoints differ as to whether the individuals need more standards and qualifications. The study of a sample of expert views found that there is some recognition within the martial arts ‘industry’ that there needs a change in approach to tighten up the processes of determining who can and cannot coach, instruct or teach martial arts. Points of views expressed by the interviewees were: that standards and qualification should be demanding; that there is a need for a professional body and rationalised approach to qualifications but such general improvements must reflect the specific requirements of each particular art. Overall there was little optimism that professionalisation could be achieved. However, the desire for professionalisation was a significant finding. Recognising this, the recommendations from this study are set out in a ‘Manifesto for Change’ which aims to transform the current situation described by one expert as being one where ‘the organisations are out for themselves and keep people separate from each other.’ The essence of the manifesto concerns: the standardisation of teaching, coaching and instructing qualifications; the development of an overarching organisation to control the martial arts; recognition by other bodies outside of the martial arts of these standards. 2 Sensitivity: Internal Contents Introduction............................................................................................................5 Background to this study.............................................................................10 Combat Sports/Fighting Sports/traditions or Martial Arts......................10 Rationalisation........................................................................................................12 Sport martial arts..................................................................................................14 Terminology.............................................................................................................16 Martial Arts instructor, coach, mentor or teacher.....................................17 Mentor/Mentoring........................................................................................................21 What is indicated by the terms ‘professional’, ‘profession’ and ‘professionalisation’?...........................................................................................24 Culture.......................................................................................................................25 Licensing...................................................................................................................29 Literature Review.............................................................................................33 History and links of martial arts in educational settings........................33 Professionalisation................................................................................................38 Martial arts and coaching...................................................................................43 Education and martial arts............................................................................................50 Summary..................................................................................................................62 Methodology........................................................................................................63 Sampling...................................................................................................................65 Thematic Analysis.................................................................................................74 Coding........................................................................................................................76 Other possible approaches to the research................................................77 The Interview Process..........................................................................................80 Transcription of Interviews................................................................................85 Case study................................................................................................................85 Summary..................................................................................................................87 Pilot Study.............................................................................................................88 Analysis of pilot......................................................................................................91 Case Study of European Wing Tsun Organisation (EWTO) and the development of a degree in Martial Arts Theory and Practice...................................................................................................................93 Modules delivered in Finland:.........................................................................100 The development of the Martial Arts programmes for the UK...........100 The EWTO...............................................................................................................101 3 Sensitivity: Internal Discussion on how the programme has run and examples of good practice...................................................................................................................104 Findings................................................................................................................109 Discussion............................................................................................................118 Conclusion...........................................................................................................152 Recommendations: A Manifesto for Change.........................................................157 References..........................................................................................................159 Appendices..........................................................................................................170 Appendix 1-Questions........................................................................................170 Appendix 2-Letter to potential interviewees..............................................................171 Appendix 3-Thematic table........................................................................................172 4 Sensitivity: Internal Introduction Martial arts in the United Kingdom (UK) have been practiced in an organised manner for a long time. The earliest records suggest that wrestling and boxing practice in Germanic and Celtic armies was common during the Roman period. This is one of the earliest examples of planned unarmed training in a martial manner in Europe (Lee-Barron 2012). There are records that indicate the Greeks undertook wrestling and Pankration, a martial art that is still practiced currently, as being an earlier example of martial arts in Europe (Dervenis and Lykiardopoulos 2007; Lee-Barron 2012). Weapons practice including archery has been legislated for within the UK by various monarchs who made it a requirement for their subjects during the 11th and 12th centuries (James 2002). The wide range of disciplines that come under the term ‘martial arts’ is discussed and outlined for this thesis below but at this point it could be good to give some parameters. By martial arts the thesis indicates; hand to hand styles such as Karate and Taekwondo, grappling styles such as Ju Jitsu and Aikido, weapons based systems for example Kali and Kendo. Other examples are Tai Chi which commonly comes under the martial arts umbrella as could Boxing and Kickboxing which are seen as sports, or more usually in the martial arts fraternity as combat sports. The history of martial arts in the UK has led to people living here at certain points being forced to undertake martial arts training through legislation from those governing them, the best example being archery, but in medieval times there was a period when most large towns had a ‘Maister of Arms’ and those residing had to practice certain martial skills under their supervision (James 2002). 5 Sensitivity: Internal Following this was a period, where if an individual wished to develop their ability to defend themselves,