The NZKF has launched an ambitious 20-year vision to develop top-tier shiaisha in New Zealand. This long-term vision, led by Blake Bennett sensei, the National Coach Director, focuses on creating a sustainable system for competitive success—not just for the 2027 World Kendo Championships (WKC) in Japan, but for many years to come.

Building on the efforts of previous campaigns, the vision aims to establish a strong, sustainable pipeline of high-performing kendo athletes and coaches capable of making a significant impact on the world stage. At the heart of this vision are three key initiatives: 1) the NZ Kendo Wolves and Wolf Pack; 2) the Pathway to 3rd Dan (P23) for leadership development; and 3) the Pathway to Podium (P2P) for nurturing high-performance athletes.

Together, these initiatives form the foundation of the NZKF’s 20-year vision for high performance kendo.

The NZ Kendo Wolves and Wolf Pack
At the core of this vision is the formation of the NZ Kendo Wolves, an elite squad of top-performing athletes representing New Zealand in international competitions like the WKC. Supporting them is the Wolf Pack, a larger group of committed kendo practitioners who are working towards earning a spot on the national team (i.e. as a ‘Wolf’) or developing their competitive skills for future opportunities.

A recent call for expressions of interest was met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Over 70 kenshi expressed interest in joining the Wolf Pack, including 34 men, 14 women, and 22 others who are either keen to learn more about high-performance kendo or to offer their time and support to the Pack. This strong response reflects the enthusiasm for the upcoming WKC. However, the 20-year vision encourages NZKF members to see each WKC campaign as part of a larger, ongoing effort to build depth in the skills and experience New Zealand brings to a range of international competitions, rather than viewing each event in isolation.

Blake is also looking to support The Wolf Pack by introducing researchers from the University of Auckland and the University of Canterbury to the squad, and focusing on areas such as mental skills, nutrition, shiai craft, training techniques, and recovery methods to support long-term success.

Coaching and Support
Elite athletes need skilled coaches, and this is where the Coach and Talent Development (CTD) group plays a critical role. Led by Blake as the National Coaching Director, the CTD group will support the national coaching team (Men’s Coach, Women’s Coach, and Sou-Kantoku) by being actively involved in ongoing discussions about the needs of shiaisha in New Zealand.

The CTD group will initially include coaches with Wolf Pack members in their clubs. This will help align training messages across the country and ensure that the vision to ‘disrupt’ the international kendo scene—and the ways to achieve that disruption—are consistently communicated throughout the regions. This level of involvement aims to achieve a unified coaching approach, ensuring that all athletes are prepared with the strategies and skills needed to challenge international competitors effectively.

A call for applicants for the roles of Head Coach (Sou-Kantoku), Men’s Coach, and Women’s Coach to lead the Wolves through to the 2027 WKC is currently open. The deadline for applying for national coaching roles is 25 October 2024, with successful candidates announced by mid-November. (Contact Tasha Derrett, NZKF Secretary, for an application pack).

Pathway to 3rd Dan (P23)
In addition to the Wolves and Wolf Pack, the NZKF is focusing on developing future kendo leaders through the Pathway to 3rd Dan (P23) seminar series. This leadership development initiative is designed to prepare kendo practitioners progressing towards their 3rd dan to take on leadership roles within their clubs and communities. The P23 initiative covers coaching techniques, shiai/shimpan responsibilities, and grading panel duties, equipping future club leaders with the skills needed to support kendo’s growth at the grassroots level. This directly supports the vision to ‘disrupt’ on the international stage by developing stronger, more confident leadership in the regions. These regional/dojo leaders will play a crucial role in building a deeper talent pool that ultimately feeds into the future success of the Wolf Pack.

So far, P23 events have been held in the South Island, with seminars covering topics such as “coaching in a pinch,” “running a shiai,” and “running a grading.” A further P23 event is scheduled for November in Christchurch, which will build on previous seminars by including more tactical and mental skills development to support competition readiness. There are plans to extend these seminars to the North Island, depending on resources and demand.

Additionally, early discussions are underway for the Pathway to 7th Dan (P27), a long-term concept aimed at supporting advanced practitioners as they progress toward higher levels of mastery. More discussion is required, and updates will be reported in due course.

Pathway to Podium (P2P)
The Pathway to Podium (P2P) initiative focuses on developing high-performance athletes by providing a clearer pathway for talented kendo practitioners to receive advanced training, mental and physical conditioning, and opportunities to compete.

The term ‘P2P’ is intended to include all competition-related events on the current NZKF calendar that help selectors and coaches identify current and emerging talent. Of course, additional P2P events, such as squad training gatherings, will also be included to help identify areas for improvement at both national and regional levels. A calendar for 2025 is being developed to provide clarity on when and where these events will take place – but it is intended that P2P events will be linked to existing events to decrease the burden of travel costs to all participants.

The Road Ahead
The strength of this 20-year vision lies in its unified approach. The NZ Kendo Wolves/Wolf Pack, P23, and P2P are all interconnected, with each initiative supporting the others. Coaches trained through the P23 (and future Pathway to 7th Dan [P27] initiatives) will play a key role in developing the Wolf Pack and future Wolves. Meanwhile, P2P events will provide insight into the current state of shiai in New Zealand, helping the national coaches and the CTD group to prepare emerging athletes for the Wolves when the time comes.

The NZKF’s vision is to build a strong, sustainable, and competitive kendo community that thrives for decades, driven by dedicated athletes, skilled coaches, and a clear development pathway. This 20-year journey builds on the excellent work of the past, evolving and adapting it to meet the changing needs of our athletes, coaches, and clubs. We should all be proud of where New Zealand kendo has come from, and this vision is about continuing that legacy while striving for an even brighter future.