Policy

Background

Roch and Btissama, shining models for all our athletesTeam Cama (Club de compétition MAB Inc.) was started more than 20 years ago. Over the years, the competition-level club has built a reputation as a winner and a group of people who work together in pursuit of excellence.

Our athletes perform at the highest level and are always respectful of the rules, their opponents, referees and all other people involved in competitions. They are known for their fighting spirit and determination and are always ready to face challenges and to cope with adversity.

For Team Cama, winning is important but not at any price. Winning is achieved with dignity and integrity.

Leading champions have been behind our winning tradition. They include Nicole Poirier, Roch Laflamme, Btissama Essadiqi, Stéphane Dubuc, Billyron Mallon, Marc Gauthier, Steeven Cryans, Éric Rollin, Steve Larose, Xavier Fournier, Louis-Philippe L’Ecuyer-Lafleur, Sébastien Larose and Maude L’Ecuyer-Lafleur, to name but a few.

Mission

Btissama is the perfect model of a karateka
who has combined sports and academic achievement Team Cama intends to establish a structure that allows its athletes to achieve their competition goals and objectives. We also intend to turn competition into a life experience that will turn our karatekas into accomplished young adults.

Goals

Deriving from its mission, Team Cama’s goal is to enable its athletes to take advantage of training, coaching and financial support that is tailored to their needs. We intend to create an environment that is conducive to individual progress and improvement and to enable our sincerely committed and talented karatekas to stand at the top rung on the podium.

Mandate of the Competition Club Committee

The committee’s mandate is to support our athletes’ development by organizing activities and managing the funds raised.

Members

Athletes who wish to join the Competition Club must be fully paid up members of Karaté Cama.

Beginner group
This group of athletes is introduced to competition. They train on Sunday mornings by invitation only.

To receive an invitation, participants must have an orange belt level and above.

Relay group
This group of athletes takes part in the provincial circuit organized by Karaté Québec. They train on Sunday mornings.

Elite group
The elite group takes part in the provincial circuit organized by Karaté Québec and can also take part in selections for Team Québec. They train on Sunday mornings.

*** Some athletes in the elite group may also be invited to train on Friday evenings.

High performance group
These athletes are members of the Canadian national team. They train on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings and have training sessions that are tailored to their needs.

Important note
Athletes must train diligently during their regular weekly sessions.

Elite athletes who show a lot of discipline and are sincerely committed to karate may be invited to train with the high performance athletes.

Athlete responsibilities

• Promote the image of excellence of Karaté Cama and Team Cama
• Abide by the Team Cama and Karaté Cama rules and regulations
• Be actively involved in the financing activities organized by the Team Cama committee
• Take part in the various activities organized by Karaté Cama, including seminars, summer and winter training camps and the annuel awards banquet
• Attend all training sessions unless they have a valid reason to justify your absence
• Be punctual at all times
• Always give your 100% 
• Respect Karaté Québec’s sportsmanship charter (visit the www.karatequebec.com Web site)
• Adopt an exemplary and socially acceptable attitude
• Be a proud representative of Team Cama
• The elite and high performance groups must take part in teaching the beginner and relay groups according to a schedule established at the beginning of the season

Important note
Any absence from Team Cama and Karaté Cama activities and training sessions must be justified to the instructor.

Membership fees

The fees are fixed annually by the Team Cama committee and are due at the beginning of the season.

Grants

Whenever possible, athletes will receive financial support at a rate stipulated by the Team Cama committee and the instructor.

The support takes into account the costs associated with specific events and other grants received by the athlete. It is based on the athlete’s commitment and dedication, including attendance in training sessions, participation in various activities, sharing of experience and support to the beginner and relay teams.

Athlete’s progression

Towards the age of 10, the athlete starts taking part in the provincial circuit organized by Karaté Québec. If the athlete wishes, he or she can take part in selections for Team Québec (14 years and above) and try out for Team Québec. Successful athletes will have the opportunity to take part in the Canadian Championships and to try out for the Canadian team.

Canada takes part in the Junior and Senior Pan-American Championships, the World Championships as well as other international tournaments.

Preparation

The athlete is aware that process and preparation are the key to success. He takes training seriously but does not take himself too seriously. He understands that failure and defeat are part of the stages that will gradually lead him to success. For him to succeed, he must first win the battle during training.

Training principle

The athlete understands that the training principle is to play with the limits and to provoke difficulties to expand his comfort zone in the hope of performing well during important moments. He must demonstrate sincerity in his commitment.

Competition follow-up

Elite and high performance athletes are encouraged to follow up on competitions. Each athlete should take note of the results at the end of each tournament and make a summary of his tournament and how to face his opponent. This follow-up will allow him to draw a profile of his performance and to find out where he stands at the end of the season.

Equipment

Athletes must have the necessary equipment to take part in the Karaté Québec circuit. The following items are mandatory:

1. Blue and red first gear 
2. Blue and red shin pads & removable instep pads
3. Mouth guard
4. Groin guard (boys and men)
5. Chest protection (girls and women)
6. Blue and red belts

The items are available at the Karaté Cama Equipement store.

Rules

To view the current regulations pertaining to the competition circuit, the athlete should visit the www.karatequebec.com web site.

Weight category

Athletes must carefully select a weight category that corresponds to their development. They should not endanger their health and must prepare themselves several weeks in advance if they have to lose weight.

Competition day

Upon arrival at the competition site, the athlete should check the presence sheets (pools) on the notice boards.

Athletes must warm up adequately on competition day. This is the first step to success.

• The warm up should take place 45 to 60 minutes before the beginning of the category.
• Athletes must focus on their competition and avoid distractions and interruptions.
• They must select partners who will be actively and positively involved in the warm-up.

Athletes must stay focused and motivated between matches. They must take time to recover and adapt their game plan and strategies accordingly. They should also manage injury time and rest periods effectively.

Athletes must have a positive attitude and believe that they are capable of success.

After their tournament, they must calm down and appreciate the competition experience, the results notwithstanding. They must conduct themselves appropriately, both in victory and defeat.

Members of Team Cama should remain at the competition site and encourage their fellow teammates.

* Athletes and parents are encouraged to take a step back if the competition does not yield the expected results. We must give everyone a chance to calm down before we get into major post-mortems.

Roch is a model athlete who has had great
performances during important moments.
He has shown a lot of style and a warrior’s spirit.

Communication with coaches
Communication prior, during and after tournaments is very important. We must take advantage of every competition experience.

The coaches will make every effort to provide relevant information with regard to warm-ups exercises, motivation, strategies and results analysis.

Lunch
The athlete must carry lunch to ensure that he eats and drinks well on competition day. Please see the Appendix for tips from nutritionist Maude L’Ecuyer-Lafleur.

Season’s schedule

A competition schedule will be unveiled at the beginning of every season. Each group will select the competitions they will take part in.

At the beginning of the season, we will work on the physical, technical, strategic and emotional foundations.

The work will grow more focused as the competition draws closer. 

The athlete must decide on priorities and take his training seriously. He must show self-discipline, determination and sincerity in his commitment to training.

He must set seasonal goals and implement a training schedule that dovetails with his goals and objectives.

Appendix

Competition day nutrition
By Maude L’Ecuyer-Lafleur

Morning of the tournament

• Select a source of PROTEINS
  • Ex.: Eggs, milk (and chocolate milk), yogurt, peanut butter, cheese, ham, etc.

• And a source of CARBOHYDRATES
  • Fruits, bread, cereals, etc..

Avoid:

• High fat and very sweet foods
  • Ex.: croissants and similar types of bread, bacon, sausages, potatoes, fried food, muffins, biscuits, sweet cereals, etc.

 
What should I buy?

• Food rich in carbohydrates and proteins     
  • Carbohydrates: chewy bars, bread, fruits, Gatorade, crackers, etc.
    • Choose low-fat chewy bars and crackers (5 g or less for chewy bars and 1 g or less per cracker).
  • Proteins: Canned tuna or salmon, cold cuts, cheese, etc.  
    • Be sure to have a fridge or make your sandwiches the morning of the competition.
  • Carbohydrates and proteins: Chocolate milk, drinkable yogurt, etc.

Meal times

• 3 to 4 hours before your competition:
  • Eat a regular meal and avoid oily foods and simple sugars. Ex.: chocolate
• 2 to 3 hours before competition:
  • 1 protein and 2 carbohydrates
• 1 to 2 hours before your competition:
  • 2 carbohydrates
• 1 hour before your competition:
  • 1 carbohydrate

* 1 Source of proteins = 8 g; 1 Source of carbohydrates = 15 g

Remember
Drink lots of water throughout the day!
Avoid unfamiliar foods.