Canadian amateur kickboxing has been supported by volunteers in various capacities. From coaches to event coordinators, individuals from all walks of life have taken their time and skills, and dedicated them to the sport they consider their passion.

One group of individuals have been the foundation without which the sport could not operate. These are the judges, referees and other officials that run all competitive events. CASK has over 55 certified officials across Canada. The CASK system trains and certifies officials in three levels: Judges (Level I), Referees (Level II), and Chief Officials (Level III). The certification process is an involved process of course work and examinations.

Two of Ontario's officials were in the forefront of the CASK Officials Certification Program (OCP) when it was first piloted in 2003. Even before this time, they were actively involved in officiating events in Canada and internationally. Since becoming part of the new certification system - they continued to be involved in the organization and sanctioned events.

Stephen Nash (Mississauga) began his involvement in amateur kickboxing many years ago as a supportive parent of his son. John Nash had switched from sport karate to kickboxing and his father assisted him in finding suitable training and coaching. Since that period of time, John Nash has won many titles including the IKF North American Junior Champion. Stephen Nash continued in his role as a supportive parent, however also became involved in other areas that required volunteer support. His experience in amateur kickboxing grew and he was asked to be the Administrative Director for the 2001 National team that traveled to Greece for the World Championships.

As his perspective on the sport evolved, Stephen requested involvement in the officiating role. There was no stopping him at that point. His role has included officiating events, refereeing bouts and even judging professional events. His calm demeanor has become his trademark as he carries out his roles in a quiet but firm manner. He is also known to ensure that every detail is addressed with care. He has become a valuable asset to CASK and to the sport across Canada.

Vic Provost (Ottawa) began his involvement with amateur kickboxing as a student at the NOMAD Kickboxing Club in Ottawa. He joined the club with his 12 year old daughter Sam to spend time with her and to also enjoy the fitness program. The kickboxing bug hit him hard and he found himself enjoying sparring with the 'young-bucks.' As he continued his training, he became a competitor in the veterans division in domestic events. But he desired more challenging competition. He traveled and competed in two international tournaments - in Greece and South Africa, as well as more local events in Ontario. Each competitive event was a personal test for Vic who thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of training for a competition.

With an active business and two busy teenage daughters, the competitive side of the sport began to be too demanding on his time. However he has continued to be involved as an active judge and referee at as many events as he can support. His amiable personality and understanding of the rules and regulations have made him a sought out official across Canada.

CASK is fortunate to have a number of senior officials that have supported national teams, and domestic events for many years. Senior official Steve McVicar has attended numerous international events as a representative of CASK and officiated events in both the USA and Canada. Other officials Amanda Woerhle, Donna Johnson, Bruce Hamilton, Duncan Macloud, Steve Quan, and Ben Maguire has also taken leadership with our growing national organization. The future looks bright with our solid foundation of dedicated and professional officials.

Our top Canadian athletes have been traveling abroad representing Canada at international championships for many years. There work has resulted in Canada's growing reputation as a force in international kickboxing. One of the challenges faced by our athletes happens before they even enter the competitive ring - the expense of international travel. The higher costs of flights and accommodations are two of the expenses athletes have to contend with on top of gym fees, coaching fees, the cost of equipment, nutritional supplements and other requirements of elite level athletes.

CASK has been working to secure long term corporate partners to support our Canadian National team. This effort has paid off with two businesses that have now been working with our National Team for the past few years.

IMPACT DENTAL LABORATORY of Ottawa has been a financial sponsor for the past five years. The owner Fred Lorenz has become an avid fan of amateur kickboxing himself through his involvement attending the popular ICEMAN Galas in Hull regularily. IMPACT DENTAL's support has gone beyond just sponsorship into the development of a sport specific mouthguard for amateur kickboxing - the Impact Absorber. This tremendous product is used by many members of Canada's national team and also endorsed by coaches and professional athletes alike.

The CASK President, Muzammal Nawaz speaks highly of the relationship with IMPACT DENTAL, 'Our relationship with IMPACT DENTAL is ideal. The IMPACT ABSORBER product (protective mouthguard) was designed specifically with the recreational and competitive participants in mind which makes our involvement with the company a perfect fit for our association. Any company committed to health and safety is one that is an ideal partner for CASK. Working with Fred and the entire team at IMPACT has been very fulfilling and enjoyable for myself personally. Our endorsement of the company and their product is important to CASK - however to IMPACT - their sponsorship is essentially out of their interest and committment to amateur sport and the athletes who represent Canada.'

TOPTEN CANADA has been involved in amateur kickboxing and boxing for many years. They officially became a sponsoring partner with CASK only two years ago. During this short time they have began supporting provincial associations in Quebec, PEI, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Ontario in addition to their support to the National Association. The President of TOPTEN CANADA, Rich Lortie is no stranger to kickboxing as he was a sucessful professional athlete in the 1980's. After retiring from competition, Rich remained active in the sport by helping to coach athletes and support the sport in the national capital region. In the past few years, Rich can been seen at amateur boxing and kickboxing events across Canada and the USA promoting TOPTEN Canada as well as supporting events through his donation of equipment. TOPTEN is recognized as the premiere safety equipment in combat sports world wide. It is used and endorsed by numerous national and international associations due to the research used to engineer the equipment focusing on the safety of the athlete.

'TOPTEN is a perfect fit with IMPACT DENTAL as the two national sponsors of our sport. Both companies focus on safety and produce world class products specific to our sport. It is also wonderful to have Rich Lortie heading up TOPTEN Canada as he is an outstanding spokesperson for our sport. He was an accomplished kickboxer so he understands the needs, challenges and reality of the sport in Canada. The support he has provided to our provincial affiliates has helped events become safer and more professional. We are fortunate to have a person with the interest of the sport at heart as part of our association,' says Muzammal Nawaz.

Both companies continue to support amateur kickboxing and hopefully will continue their role in the future. They have also become examples for corporate sponsorship for other amateur sports as well. CASK continues to develop with the support of IMPACT DENTAL and TOPTEN CANADA and ensures that the support goes directly to the primary beneficiary - the athlete.

In a short period of time Gus Kandilas has become a central component of the Canadian National Kickboxing team and the CASK organization. He was introduced to the amateur kickboxing scene through one of his patients - Muzammal Nawaz - many years ago. Not known to many, however, Gus is no stranger to kickboxing. He trained in kickboxing as a student in Hamilton, during the era of top Canadian professionals Rick Joslin and Murry Sutherland. While kickboxing was of great interest, Gus Kandilas's passion was for basketball which he played at the collegiate level for many years.

Gus's background in sports medicine is diverse. A certified athletic therapist with many years of experience, Gus opened up his first clinic in Oakville. While running the clinic he finished off his doctorate in Osteopathy. If that was not enough to keep him busy - he was also teaching at York University in the department of athletic therapy. After he realized that his work load was becoming heavy, Gus Kandilas did what many sucessful people do - he opened up another clinic - this one in Burlington! While he specializes in working with athletes, Dr. Kandilas sees all kinds of patients at his two clinics. His background as an Osteopath and Athletic Therapist, allows him to throughly assess both symptomatic conditions and underlying issues not easily diagnosised.

Gus became re-involved with kickboxing by taking on various patients on the national team. He enjoyed working with these athletes and seeing the results of his work improve their performances at various competitions. To support the grassroots work of CASK, Gus Kandilas volunteered to develop a Sports Injury Management training program that became a central component of the CASK Level I Coaching Course. The component has been greatly appreciated by all participants in the coaching program. If this was not enough support to our organization, Gus also developed a Medical Responce Program for accuate care and support during kickboxing events. His team has worked at various events in Canada and the USA. The pinacle accomplishment of this program was the design and implementation of the Medical team for the 2005 World Championships.

The deployment of the team was seen as a tremendous accomplishment by the international body (WKA) and all countries that participanted. However the background work was as detailed and involved as the work at the event.

Gus Kandilias has experience in sporting events beyound kickboxing, as his involvement with CASM (Canadian Association of Sports Medicine) has taken him to various sporting events, including his key role on the Canadian Medical team during the World University Games in Turkey in 2005.

CASK is greatful to have a stong leader within our organization that brings an essential expertise that is propelling the organization to the forfront of international kickboxing organizations. Gus Kandilias was awarded the 2005 Builder of the Year during the annual Awards banquet. While the recognition was meaningful, in the words of Gus Kandilas, ' ... you know you are doing a good job in sports medical work, when no one sees you or knows what you are doing ...'

While he works silently behind the scenes, the athletes, coaches and leaders in CASK know of his excellence and are grateful for his generous contributions and involvement.

People know Brad Fowler in many different ways - personal trainer; elite fitness consultant; martial arts instructor; world amateur champion; professional athlete; and now as the owner/head instructor of ROUND ONE - KICKBOXING CLUB in London, Ontario.

At CKA/CASK we know Mr. Fowler as one of the Chief Coaches of the National Amateur team. In the past two years, he has volunteered his time and skills to coach amateur athletes across North America at various galas and tournaments. The amazing thing about Mr. Fowler's work is that he is able to assist athletes from many different clubs with different competitive styles. All athletes that have worked with him have loved his calm, analytical coaching coupled with his ability to motivate athletes to achieve excellence.

Like all of the volunteers in CKA/CASK, Mr. Fowler has offered his services time and time again and has agreed to assist all levels of athletes - from juniors to adults, from international caliber to the beginner competitor. It is through this kind of commitment and love of the sport that has propelled many of Canada's top athletes to seek out his expertise and training. In the words of another CKA/CASK national coach Amer Mustafa, '... Brad is so passionate about the sport, when he is coaching sometimes you think he is about to jump in the ring himself!'

At the 2005 National team trials - Mr. Fowler was not so popular as he lead the new recruits through a challenging sport-specific conditioning session. Apparently athletes were unable to move normally for several days after the intense weekend in Lindsay! What some participants noticed however was that Mr. Fowler participated in each of the sub-group's drills! That meant he actually did the conditioning sessions three times each!

This is not surprising to some that know the athlete side of - Brad Fowler.

Brad Fowler is well aware of the competitive challenges of amateur athletes having competed in many international amateur events before turning professional. He faced the best in the kickboxing world - from Europe to Africa. Amongst his credits is a World Amateur Championships (USA) and an Intercontinental Championships (South Africa). His professional career has been equally sucessfull with a stellar record of over 15 professional bouts and both a Canadian Professional title, and a North American Professional title.

Brad Fowler the athlete is renowned for his conditioning and methodical approach to his training. Inside the ring he is the tactical master using angles and an remarkable control of distance. He has always impressed audiences across North America and earned the respect of each of his opponents.

Brad Fowler's reputation got wind of a well respected promoter in the USA - Joe Puleo of New York a few weeks back. He was looking for a top contender to fight for the WKA World Professional title against North American Champion, Chris Algeri from Long Island. The WKA title has just been vaccated by long time champion - Imed Matuddi of France. Brad Fowler jumped at the chance for an opportunity that he has been looking forward to for years, and as he said, since he first decided to try kickboxing.

The World Title bout is scheduled for November 18 in Long Island, New York. Brad Fowler is training in high gear for his chance at the title. Despite his grueling training schedule, and running his new kickboxing gym in London - ROUND ONE. He is still acting as Coach at the World Amateur Championships being held in November in Niagara Falls. Mr. Fowler had agreed to this role, many months ago - and even though this opportunity surfaced only a few weeks ago - he felt a responsibility to support the national team. The amateur championships is just one week prior to his professional bout! This kind of dedication is what has propelled individuals like Brad Fowler to leadership positions within the CKA/CASK organization, and also into the hearts of the many people that he influences.

Best Wishes Brad - and we commend you for your ongoing efforts to support CKA/CASK and our amateur athletes across the country!

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