Award SMART Goals

Explore our collection of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Smart Goals and find your next challenge

Goal: I will improve my Lacrosse skills and knowledge by participating in at least one Lacrosse tournament or competition within 6 months. I will attend Lacrosse practice twice a week for 2 hours and will practice at home for an additional 3 hours per week. I will also watch instructional videos, read books and speak to experienced players in order to gain the necessary skills and understanding of the game. My goal is to become more experienced in Lacrosse, increase my knowledge and performance level, and hopefully get on the school Lacrosse team by the end of the 6-month period.

Martial Arts / Self Defence, Kung Fu, Physical Recreation

My goal for Kung Fu in Martial Arts / Self Defence under Physical Recreation Category is to improve my overall Kung Fu skills by participating in at least one Kung Fu competition or performance within 6 months. My goal is to compete against other Kung Fu enthusiasts and to improve my overall physical fitness and technical skills. I will attend Kung Fu class twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 2 hour per week. I will also participate in friendly sparring sessions every two weeks.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Kickboxing

My goal for Kickboxing in Martial Arts/ Self Defence under Physical recreation is to master at least 15 kickboxing moves and be able to perform them correctly with power and accuracy within 6 months. I will attend kickboxing classes twice a week for 1 hour each and practice with a partner for at least 1 hour every week. I will create a checklist of the moves to be learnt and measure my progress regularly to ensure that I reach my goal within the 6 months.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Kendo

My goal for Karate in Martial Arts/ Self Defence under Physical recreation Category is to learn and practice basic Karate techniques within 3 months. I will dedicate 1 hour three times a week to attend Karate classes and an additional 2 hours per week to practice the techniques at home. By the end of 3 months, I plan to obtain a level 1 certification in Karate.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Jujitsu

To improve my joint locks by learning and performing at least 3 different Aikido joint lock techniques such as “Kote Gaeshi” , “Ude Garami” and “Shiho Nage”. My goal is to be able to perform the techniques correctly in a grading examination within 12 months. I will attend an Aikido class twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 1 hour per week.

Aikido, Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence

My goal for Kayaking in Water Sports under Physical recreation is to increase my strength, power, and endurance for kayaking by regularly participating in kayaking sessions for 3 months. Specifically, I will attend kayaking sessions twice a week for two hours each for 3 months and will practice for an additional two hours every week. I will track my progress through kept measurements of my physical performance and compare it with my initial measurements. At the end of the 3 months, I will participate in a local kayaking competition in order to test my improved physical ability and newly acquired kayaking skills.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Karate

To improve my speed and timing by incorporating sprint and agility training into my training. My goal is to be able to throw the discus at least 40 meters within 12 months. I will attend a discus throwing clinic or practice with a team twice a week for 2 hours, and will incorporate sprint and agility training into my training for an additional 2 hours per week.

Martial Arts / Self Defence, Fencing, Physical Recreation

To improve my overall Aikido skills by participating in at least 3 different Aikido seminars or workshops within 12 months. My goal is to learn from different Aikido instructors and to improve my overall understanding of Aikido principles and techniques. I will attend an Aikido class twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 1 hour per week.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Aikido

To improve my punching technique by learning and practicing the proper form and power for the jab, cross, hook, and uppercut. My goal is to be able to perform the punches correctly and with proper form within 3 months. I will attend a boxing class or clinic once a week for 1 hour and will practice the punching techniques at home for an additional 1 hour per week.

Martial Arts / Self Defence, Boxing, Physical Recreation

To improve my overall boxing skills by participating in at least one amateur boxing match or tournament within 12 months. My goal is to compete against other boxers and to improve my overall performance and technical skills. I will attend boxing class or clinic twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 2 hour per week.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Boxing

To improve my strength and power by incorporating weightlifting and plyometric exercises into my training. My goal is to be able to throw the discus at least 35 meters within 6 months. I will attend a discus throwing clinic or practice with a team twice a week for 2 hours, and will incorporate weightlifting and plyometric exercises into my training for an additional 2 hours per week.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Fencing

My goal for Jujitsu in Martial Arts/Self Defence under Physical Recreation is to increase my overall Jujitsu skills by completing a recognized Jujitsu belt ranking within 3 months. I will attend Jujitsu class twice a week for 1.5 hours and will practice at home for an additional 2 hours per week. I will strive to learn the basic self defence and submission techniques and have a complete understanding of the mechanics of the Jujitsu movements. I will strive to advance to the next rank within 3 months.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Judo

To improve my accuracy by learning and understanding the different strategies, tactics and rules of the game . My goal is to be able to make better decisions and be more effective during competitions within 6 months. I will attend discus throwing clinics, watch discus throwing competitions, read up on articles and or join webinars to further develop my knowledge of the game.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Fencing

To improve my throws and pins by learning and performing at least 3 different Aikido techniques such as “Ikkyo”, “Nikyo” and “Sankyo”. My goal is to be able to perform the techniques correctly in a grading examination within 6 months. I will attend an Aikido class twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 1 hour per week.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Aikido

To improve my defense by learning and practicing the proper techniques for blocking, slipping, and countering punches. My goal is to be able to defend myself effectively in a boxing match within 12 months. I will attend a boxing class or clinic twice a week for 1 hour and will practice defensive drills at home for an additional 1 hour per week.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Boxing

To improve my weapons techniques by learning and performing at least 3 different Aikido weapons techniques such as “Jo” (short staff), “Bokken” (wooden sword), and “Tanto” (knife). My goal is to be able to perform the techniques correctly in a demonstration within 6 months. I will attend an Aikido class once a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 1 hour per week.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Aikido

Goal for Tap in Dance/Gymnastics under Physical Recreation: To advance my tap dance skills by improving my tap improvisation and variations in tempo, rhythm and style within 3 months. I will attend an intermediate tap dance class at least twice a week for 1 hour each and practice for an additional 1 hour per week. I will also take advantage of any workshops or master classes at my studio. I will track my progress by video recordings so I can compare it with my initial movements. At the end of the three months goal period I should be able to demonstrate a high-level of proficiency with different skills including complex patterns and steps.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Tae Kwon Do

To improve my overall fitness and endurance by incorporating cardio and strength training exercises specific to boxers. My goal is to be able to maintain a high level of fitness and energy throughout a 3-round bout within 6 months. I will attend a boxing class or clinic once a week for 1 hour and will practice cardio and strength training at home for an additional 2 hours per week.

Boxing, Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence

Goal: To increase my archery skills by participating in at least one archery competition and achieving a score within the top 30 rankings within 6 months. I will attend archery classes twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 2 hours per week. I will also engage with other archers in order to practice and participate in activities such as target shooting and 3D tournaments.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Aikido

My goal for Film and Video Making in Communication under skills category is to create and produce a 5-minute amateur film within 6 months. I will collaborate with my peers to create a storyboard, produce and film the scene, and edit the video with professional software. I will research and utilize cinema techniques and principles, such as light settings, camera angles, and montage and post-production to achieve a high-quality video. Furthermore, I will create and implement a social media plan to market, promote, and disseminate my video. Through this project, I will gain knowledge and experience in the fields of communication and film-making.

Martial Arts / Self Defence, Fencing, Physical Recreation

Additionally, I will join a Body Attack team or local club to gain experience and insight into competitive competition to help reach my goal in 12 months.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Wrestling

To improve my overall discus throwing skills by participating in at least one local or regional discus throwing competition within 12 months. My goal is to compete against other discus throwers and to improve my overall performance and technical skills. I will attend a discus throwing clinic or practice

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Fencing

My goal for Orienteering in Outdoor Recreation under Physical Recreation is to become proficient in navigation skills by completing five recreational orienteering courses within 3 months. I will practice my compass navigation and map reading skills twice a week for two hours by taking a route from a marked map to a specific destination. I will challenge myself by competing in local recreational orienteering competitions at least once a month to assess my improvement in navigating skills.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Ninjitsu

To improve my balance and posture by learning and performing the basic Aikido stance and footwork. My goal is to be able to perform the stance and footwork correctly in a demonstration within 3 months. I will attend an Aikido class once a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 1 hour per week.

Aikido, Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence

To improve my footwork by learning and practicing the proper stance, movement, and positioning. My goal is to be able to move quickly and efficiently around the ring within 6 months. I will attend a boxing class or clinic twice a week for 1 hour and will practice footwork drills at home for an additional 1 hour per week.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Boxing

My goal is to become proficient in canoeing by participating in at least one canoeing competition or performance within 6 months. I will attend canoeing classes twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 2 hours per week. I will work on improving my endurance, agility, spatial orientation, technique and confidence in the water. Additionally, I will strive to learn about advanced canoeing techniques, such as advanced steering, water safety, and maneuvering through rushing waters. By the end of the 6 months, I expect to have developed a deeper appreciation for canoeing and improved my overall performance in the sport.

Physical Recreation, Martial Arts / Self Defence, Boxing