BERMUDA will be sending a women's team for the first time ever when it competes in the World Karate Federation championship in November. Tina Rowse, Jennifer Rand and Laura Bell will be competing in the synchronised group form competition known as Kata where points are awarded for technique instead of by direct combat.

The teams shadow spar against other teams with a choreographed fight in the final to show off defensive techniques. And one of the Bermuda teams will also compete on individual forms.

"This time around we have expanded and included for the first time female competitors," said national coach Trevor Williams who will be working alongside his brother and fellow coach Nigel Williams during the tournament in Monterrey, Mexico from November 13 to 22.

Two years ago Bermuda competed in Madrid, Spain and got through to the second round after a fortunate draw.

It was the first time the squad competed under rule changes making the competition more exciting with points scored higher for kicks to the head rather than single punch techniques.

Other refinements have led to more takedowns, increasing its spectator appeal.

"Competitors have to be a lot more dynamic, they can score as many points as possible during the three minute bout.

"The fight is only stopped if there is an eight-point spread. A lot of the older competitions would have been stopped after three or four points. It means you have to be a lot more competent compared to years ago," said Williams.

The six male competitors are Nasciemento Daniel, Edmond Johnson, Reuben Bean, Dominic Butterfield, Arnold Allen and Jermal Woolridge.

For 18-year-old Butterfield it is his first senior World Championships while the rest competed in Spain.

Rueben Bean fought in the individual under 70 kilogramme category last time.

The national coach explained: "He came up against probably one of the best fighters in that weight category in the world ? a French chap who came third in 2000 and had recently won a tournament in Brazil.

"Rueben was unlucky to come up against that competitor, he fought quite well, it was a close fight."

Edmund Johnson, who is a Tae Kwon Do exponent was in his first karate tournament last time and fought in the open weight category.

"It was a hotly contested bout, he fought well. The whole audience was behind him, he's a big guy, six foot five, we had a lot of people cheering for us.

"He was unlucky, I hope we will do a lot better this time. The inclusion of Dominic gives rise to the possibility we will have a men's form synchronised kata as well. That's another first. "We are expanding the number of events we are participating which will open up the door for future competitors from Bermuda because people tend to think of it as purely about sparring."

Bermuda specialises in the Shotokan Kata, originated in the Japanese island of Okinawa, in which the whole body is used to propel kicks and punches. It is typified with a longer range stance, rather than close up blows.

Around 120 teams are registered with the world body and more teams are expected that the 80 teams which competed in Spain for November's championships.

This year's venue in Monterrey, Mexico could attract Caribbean and Central American countries unable to make it last time around, although a smaller turnout will be to Bermuda's advantage.

his time Williams is after a medal for Bermuda and hopes the team kata event will increase the chances.

"I am realistic, I know what we are aiming for. Of the 81 countries which participated in the last championships only 24 actually got medals."

The squad will benefit from his experience.

The 46-year-old Bermudian has been involved in the sport for around 35 years and coached in Ireland while living there for most of his life.

He competed in around 12 championships, four world championships and led the Irish traditional karate team as well as a universities team before returning about five years ago.

The key to a successful tournament is reducing people's stress levels as they cope with new environments, new languages and foods, he said.

"You have to look at whether people are getting the right food and enough rest. Are they burning up energy unnecessarily? It's really about how they handle the stress of competition."

The next world championships is in Sweden in 2006 although there's a world junior tournament for 16 to 21-year-olds in Cyprus.

However sponsorship is a problem. The November trip is largely being funded by individual sponsorship, although corporate sponsorship and Government is being sought.

"Most of the businesses are only concerned with what are we doing locally. They are not thinking about the bigger picture," said Williams adding, "if a Bermuda team goes away to represent the country and there's a 120 delegates there and a 80-90 teams that's a lot of PR work for Bermuda."

He said foreign media displayed keen interest in Bermuda and its scene last time.

"In the long term by networking and getting funding behind us it is hoped we can bring some of those teams to Bermuda for an open tournament here. That will be one of our long-term goals."

With better funding the team could compete in regional and Pan Am games.

"Because of lack of financing we just tend to aim for the world championships which is a bigger stage. Had we the resources we could do a lot more and go to regional tournaments and invitational tournaments. I received three invitations in the last month. One to France, one to Cuba and one to Poland. We don't have the resources to send people to get the experience.

"They need to travel and participate in the global stage as a benchmark to assess their standards and work out how the training method are holding up."

or him the sport has been a key part of his life. "With martial arts there is an emphasis on mind and body. It's for personal development. It's something you can do from a very young age to a very old age. It is not based on season, your training is week in week out. It gives you a different sense of fulfilment than participating in team events where you have a limited life-span as an athlete.

"People come for self defence, health. There's also a social aspect to training. It's about setting goals and objectives for short term and long term."

The short term might be for competitions but long term it is about improving on weaknesses, said Williams.

"The fight is the internal battle with yourself, pushing yourself to your limits. It's not really about being able to beat somebody up on the outside. It's about your own personal development."