Taekwondo Today February 2016 Magazine

Transcription

Taekwondo Today February 2016 Magazine
*
*
FEBRUARY 2016
YEAR OF THE MONKEY
*
*
*
*
British
International
Poomsae competition
*
*
flying high!
*
*
*
A spectacular event to look
forward to at the end of this month
with, top class players.
More Tournaments on
the Horizon & an
Ultimate 1-2-1 Success
Kathy Hook hosts the first
competition of the year
a leap of faith brings
turkish delight!
Mike and Tom at the Olympic
Qualification Tournament in
Istanbul with Go Cho Go!
MT
Have a Taegerific Taekwondo Day!
Calendar of events
The Korean Martial Art of Taekwondo & Olympic Combat sport within Great Britain via the NGB
£1.99
TM
PAGE 2
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
TAEKWONDO TODAY Advertisement
@ Aquinas College or
The Torkington Centre
Hazel Grove, Stockport.
Tue, Wed and Thursday
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
PAGE 3
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
Foreword
TAEKWONDO TODAY
Taekwondo
Today
‘Bringing you all the official information
about WTF Taekwondo in Great Britain’
STEVE BLOMELEY
6th Dan
Editor-in-Chief
Contributors
Tom Stammer
Martin Hold
David Bailey
Michael McKenzie
Pete Adamsons
Chris Codling
Derek Sumner
Phill Payne
Eddie Tyrell
Kathy Hook
Bill Darlington
Mark Hayward
Testimonial
“Had a quick look at the
magazine and it is fabulous.
I will spend more time this
evening reading it when I get
back home, but well done
producing it and I’m sure it will
be a hit with everyone.”
Zahid Salim - Sokcho
Taekwondo, Scotland
Practice “Taekwondo Today” with the
National Governing Body
• Local Clubs
• Training Tips
Foreword from the Editor.
• Instructor Profiles
Welcome to the second edition of “British Taekwondo Today” 2016, the Official Magazine for The
Governing Body of WTF Taekwondo in Great Britain. The downloadable Magazine is for all United
Kingdom WTF practitioners to receive information, news items, training tips, competition details
and self-defence awareness from British Taekwondo, the recognised NGB. The test issue was
well received and many a compliment paid about the magazine that I have created and designed
but there is still a long way to go yet. As time goes by I hope it becomes well-established as more
and more of our practitioners and members read and contribute to it, the style and look of the
magazine will develop.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have made this idea that I have
carried and tried to implement for years begin to take shape, hopefully engaging everybody
within the NGB and further afield. Please be patient as I try to include as much as possible and as
many of our members as possible with articles, stories, news and events that are always difficult
to get across, even with the modern social media. Beth’s newsletter will give you the snippets
of what’s going on for speed and an overview, whereas this magazine will be something you
will come back to read at your leisure. It’s not a political read but intended more for enjoyable
technical articles, news and tips that we hope will give the membership access to the many
wonderful practitioners we have in our midst. We are all different and will have many different
viewpoints but that is the great thing about being involved in a Martial Art. We can and should
all be able to pick things up and learn from one another. What we’ve always wanted and needed
is a platform to do so, hopefully this magazine will go a long way in providing that. “British
Taekwondo Today”: produced by Martial Artists for Martial Artists. The Editor-in-Chief
Taekwondo Today
• Competition Dates
• Results
• Seminar Details
• Seminar Reviews
• Grading Dates
• Grading Results
• Student Profiles
• Kids in Combat
• Health Tips
• Book Reviews
• Product Reviews
• Equipment Suppliers
• Club Profiles
2
CONTENTS YIN
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
Page
3 Foreword Page 5 A Blast from the Past!
9 Edit on the Editor Page 11 Kidz Korner
17 The Coaches Corner
19 Taeger Time Problems
21 SCoT Scottish Council of Taekwondo
23 Taekwondo Clubs Page
25 A Central Attraction in Falkirk
27 Calendar of Events
29 Manx Taekwondo Festival
Q: W
h
train at do Kick
ing a
siste
l
in th
r
e tra ongside s really g
dition
their
e
coun t out of
al sid
t
Chlo
e
o
f Tae erpar ts
e: Ca
kwon
rdio
do?
Hele
n
Instr : Ever y
uctor
th
class
mak ing be
.
es it
cau
diffe se the
rent
Andr
ever y
ea:
Th
flexib
ility e fact
th
helps
ou
me. t of the at I get
Page 4 What I Present! Page 6 This Girl Can
sessi
more
ons
Anne
whic Page 8 Back the Brits Page 10 Cont..from pg9
: Ki
h
cksis
and
ter
fitne
Page 12 Ki-Yong-Go Page 14 British Army,
chan
s
confi
ged
denc s levels
Navy & Airforce Tkd Page 16 More Taekwondo,
p
m
e as
well. lus boos y life
ting
Read
More People, More Often In Schools
my
more
insid
e on
Page 16 Talking Taekwondo with Tom Page 20
and
pag
Kick
it wit e 6 Com
Turkish Delight Page 22 No Payne, No Gain a Club
e on
h us!
CONTENTS YANG
Growth Journal Page 24 An Ultimate 1-2-1
Success Page 26 BSTF Championship Page 28
British Taekwondo Int. Poomsae Competition
PAGE 4
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
What “I PRESENT” and
what you do not
SEE!
trying to perfect your
craft, making mistakes,
learning and getting up
from those mistakes,
scraping by to pay the
bills, hosting seminars.
The list is endless.
I
J
ust recently my
attention was brought
to a Facebook post that
was about a Martial Arts
Instructor’s journey and
what it takes to get where
we are presently, just
to be able to teach our
students. It has prompted
me to write this article.
It also touched on the
subject of what should
one charge for what they
teach. Students tend
to only see the hours
class where you’re stood
at the front passing
on your instructions,
demonstrating the skill
sets, mingling in, aiding
with the odd tip here and
there or even better for
the student, your actually
partnering them.
I
f most of the Instructors
are like me then there
have been hours and
hours of training put in
over many, many years.
We were not born an
instructor nor did we
become one overnight!
We’ve paid our dues, so to
speak through pain,
photo courtesy of Karl Mann
sweat,
Mike McKenzie, Kook Hyung Jung, Steve Blomeley
blood,
tears and probably more
often very tired after a
than the odd injury along
weekend away studying,
the way too. This is also
aching and occasionally
coupled with the amount
bruised, but on the very
of time we have to spend
next day I am in my class
or have spent away from
filled with enthusiasm to
our families for the sake
impart more knowledge
of the Taekwondo family.
onto and into my group of
students.
any of us continue
to do so for the
xposing myself like
sake of our chosen art,
this I feel adds greater
to continue to learn plus
depth and experience to
teach those that are
the way I instruct and the
interested. Can you put
content of what I teach.
a financial value on it?
If you can visualise an
Probably not and I today
iceberg floating in the
still travel constantly to
ocean, you can begin to
friends and colleagues I
understand that what
have met on my journey
you the student sees is
and pay them for tuition.
only the tip. The rest is
I do this not only for my
hidden below the surface
interest and benefit but
and without a shadow
also for the interest and
of a doubt is five times
benefit of my students.
bigger than what’s being
I love the analogy “Get
presented. That what is
comfortable, being
hidden below the surface
uncomfortable” as that
amounts to many, many
is often what I feel
things like risk-taking,
when travelling, learning
sourcing good teachers
different concepts, ideas
to learn from, travelling
and strategies about
to them, often abroad,
Martial Art training. I am
extremely hard work
M
E
still attend as many
seminars as I can
even at this stage in my
Taekwondo career, albeit
specially chosen subjects
for what I feel will
enhance my knowledge
and practice of my art.
One that springs to mind
as I write was the Kook
Hyung Jung seminar last
year hosted by Michael
McKenzie and Quest.
I did not want to miss an
opportunity to train with
such a renowned Master
in the Taekwondo world.
For us older generation
Taekwondoists, he was
such an inspiration back
when we were younger
and competing.
C
oming back to the
iceberg anolagy now
and what you don’t see.
At 53 years of age and
with an arthritic knee plus
an abdomen tear, I still
got on the floor where
looking around, there
were many much younger
than I, just sat watching.
I was paying my dues
again both physically and
monetarily, but I gained
far more doing that rather
than just observing. You
get a feel and perception
of the methodology of his
teaching and can gauge
so much better what you
would put your students
through if you emulate it
or him. You gain massive
admiration for and
inspiration from someone
who a few years older
than yourself, can still
move so proficiently even
to this day.
S
o, next time you’re at
your class or attending
a seminar, think a little
deeper, reflect a little
more and gain an insight
to the path you’re on. We
coaches, or Instructors
as I prefer to be called,
have trodden that path
already and many of
us are still on it. We’re
maybe not sprinting like
in our youth but we are
still there on that road,
jogging or walking a little
bit further down the path
than you are. See what
we see and seek not what
the masters know but
what we sought! Then
perhaps you’ll know the
true value of what is
being passed on to you
and the price we have
paid to be able to do so!
Professionals in other
services get reasonably
paid for their services and
nothing is ever free. In
most of our cases it’s cost
us more than just money!
and what we get back
we still tend to spend it
furthering ours and your
knowledge.
PAGE 5
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
?
e
n ons !
o
y ms
s
e
n
i
a
r
a
o
se Ad em
i
n te
g
m
o
e
c
c
Re ch P phi
a gra
o
C oto
Ph
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
A Blast
from the
Past!
do
n
wo
aek y
T
ish istor
t
i
r
H
B
Keep them coming folks! There’s a lot of memories out there?
PAGE 6
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
This Girl Can! & These Girls Do!
K
B
icksisters are popping up
everywhere now in the country
with
British
Taekwondo’s
initiative to get more ladies involved
in keeping fit and being more active.
Running in conjunction with last years
TV press campaign “This Girl Can”
to encourage females to go with the
flow and join in activities that get you
sweaty, push the push ups, tone the
torso and flex the flexibility, they are
discovering there’s a whole new world
that’s more than Zumba or the latest
dance craze routine. Instead they are
swapping the ‘whoop’ ‘whooping’ for
the more key kihaping(shouts) as they
punch the mitts or kick the paddles in
their local Taekwondo clubs.
ritish Taekwondo Today has caught up with a
few and has asked them just what they like
about it. Here’s their out of breath, honest as
they can be answers to just a few quick questions,
following one of the training sessions at a Kicksister
class. Different ladies, different ages with different
reasons for joining an all female Martial Arts class.
The four ladies questioned have all various time
frames of being involved in a Kicksister class as well.
Some of them have other family members training
in the traditional Taekwondo club even at the same
time and venue, which apparently helps them feel
more involved and feel part of what their spouses,
Daughters or Sons go through to achieve their belts
and recognition.
ecide
Q: W
and
you d icksister defence
hat d
d
i
d
K
f
l
o you
y
e
g
s
h
n
i
d
W
o
n
:
d
a
like a
Q
Chlo
e up es keep fit
k
bout
a
t
e
i
:
to
d
Kicks
e la
a m I like
a
h
t
ister?
n
n
i
r
a
i
jo
t
x
e
h
l
t
e
ure
to
fact
le
l
?
e
b
s
d
a
s
a
o
e
t
a
r
t
l
f
r
n
c
n
ing s
t
e
comfo
s wa
ome training hat ther
alway felt more though th
c
e is
i
o
n
I
r
e
:
princ volved
Hele
Chloe l Ar t and dies even
n
i
p
p
:
lus
l
e
I
a
a
l
i
s
lo
grou
Mar t with just .
p an ve that it
g
e
l
g
n
i
a
n
d fee
bei ctor is m
keep
l ver y is a sma
ay of oth my
w
ll
comf
A
t
Instru
n
n
b
e
d
rea:
or tab intimate
as
al
iffer
n
e
d
o
i
m
a
t
I
i
espe
le
: It is
e trad
led to
cially like the
Helen it appea train in th
m
v
a
t
u
h
r
s
i
e
d
e
n
cles
fit an nd and So
I hav stretch ty of tra
s
ing
a
e
r
ining
b
e
n
s
b
’
t
u
m
H
for a
e
Anne
ondo
ges and usin
mily m ditional
a
:
f
T
Taekw
y
h
g
m
e fa
and
tra
ct th
Helen in the
ng it
A
i
e
n
o
k
d
a
i
L
er
at
that
ied
a:
g
it giv obic exer it cover
Andre d trainin and I fanc
c
e
s
s
ise p
s
s
e
g
t
s
r
me
sta ondo cla e of thin
lus t Aerobic
a
h
d
i
w
e ton
s
k
g
e
s
n
i
Ta
es
ing
watch keep
e fitn
h
r
t
e
r
t
f
o
f
a
e
h
p
t
u
self
k it
iked
I too n and l ing some
:
e
n
rn
An
tio
s lea
nstra
demo thods plu
e
fit m e.
c
n
e
f
de
A
ny ladies who are considering giving KickSister a try should
be able to attend a free taster session at their local KickSister
club. Following a payment of just £5, KickSister membership is
secure until 31st March 2017! This membership can be used to attend any KickSister class across the UK, and all new-joiners revive a
complimentary T shirt from us.
British Taekwondo’s KickSister classes offer the chance to attain
Yellow Belt by the end of the programme. If women and girls find
themselves hooked on that first-belt-feeling, then hey, it’s just £17
Q: Would you ever consider joining the
traditional Taekwondo class?
Chloe: Yes and I have begun the process
by attending another class of the
instructors on a different night and
think I would like to progress in that side
of things.
Helen: No I don’t think it is for me the
traditional side but if the instructor put
on another Kicksister class I would do
twice a week.
Andrea: No I don’t think Kicksister is the
thing for me
Anne: Kicksister for me! I did try a bit
of the traditional but again, if a second
weekly Kicksister class was run by the
instructor I would do both.
more for a full British Taekwondo membership with a club. KickSister
is a soft entry into Taekwondo, but many are just happy to continue
attending KickSister classes by the end of the programme, and that’s
absolutely cool.
In fact, we love nothing more than seeing KickSisters kicking it in
their T Shirts. So do be sure to tag @Brittaekwondo or send your
sweaty selfies and smiley poses to beth.bishop@britishtaekwondo.
org!’
PAGE 7
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
volved
een in
b
u
o
y
have
long
w
o
Q: H ksister?
ic
with K
now
onths
m
4
t
d am
: Abou
ek an
e
w
Chloe
4th
is my
s
i
h
T
:
Helen njoying it
out 5
e
y
l
l
to ab
rea
p
u
g
comin
’s
t
I
:
a
n
Andre now
half i
hs
t
n
nd a
o
a
er
m
t
r
s
a
i
e
s
ick
ay
K
t
g
u
n
o
i
b
to
a
en
I am
nal op break due ck
:
i
e
g
i
n
r
n
o
A
a
rt
ed the
a sho am right b
as join did have
t
u
sb
I
class. ealth issue
h
e
som
now.
into it
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
Q: Would you recommend it to other
female freinds, family members or
aquantances?
Chloe: Yes, definitely.
Helen: Yes
Andrea: Yes
Anne: Yes and have introduced friends
to it.
Q: Wha
t
Kicksist do you feel yo
er?
u get o
ut of
Chloe: C
ardio
Helen:
E
Instruct ver ything b
e
or mak
es it d cause the
class.
ifferent
ever y
Andrea
: T
flexibilit he fact that
y
I get m
helps m out of the se
ore
ssions
e.
which
Anne:
Kicksist
er cha
and fit
ng
ness le
vels plu ed my life
confide
s
nce as w
boostin
g my
ell.
PAGE 8
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
TAEKWONDO TODAY News
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
with
Kick
BacktheBrits
BT News and Events in the UK.
B
ack in January
Mahama Cho
managed to secure a
4th qualification spot
for Great Britain in
the Olympic weight
categories. He was
selected by the GB
national coaches to
represent the country in
in Istanbul as they felt
he had the best option
of reaching a final in
Istanbul. Go Cho Go
didn’t disappoint and
won the event.
A
rmy Taekwondo is
now on the agenda
with British Taekwondo
as they and Army Martial
Arts Association have
teamed together, giving
our troops who want
to practice the Korean
Martial Art while they are
in service a big boost
C
ompetitions galore
and fantastic news
that British Taekwondo
and the British Students
Taekwondo Federation
(University clubs) are
working together again.
With their competition
in February it will be nice
to see some of the NGB
Referees helping out and
hopefully Taekwondo will
become a BUCS/BUSA
sport again.
K
i Taekwondo’s Chief
Instructor will be
conducting a seminar
at his Birmingham
University club on
February 14th 10:30am
- 1:30pm am assisted by
his senior Black Belts.
T
here will be live
streaming at the
British International
Patterns championship.
Thanks to 247.tv, poomsae
will be streamed live
H
orizon have a 1-21 competition this
month at the Richard
Dunn Sports Centre,
Bradford. Entries via MA
Reg Online.
E
uropean
championships
2016 are in Montreux,
Switzerland. May it be a
Taegerific success.
B
STF University
Championships are on
February 27/28th at the
University of Worcester
Arena, Hylton Road,
Worcester, WR2 5JN
R
io the Taeger Cub
is making his first
appearance inside this
mag. Specially created to
cheer on our Taekwondo
athletes at this Summer
Olympic Games.
Copyright Steve Blomeley
2016.
I
n the upcoming month’s
there will be plenty
of hard work ahead
before the athletes are
named For Rio 2016.
GB Taekwondo’s Rio
2016 hopefuls can’t
rest on their laurel’s
despite qualifying four
weight categories for
this summer’s Olympic
Games.
T
om Stammer, the
acting chief executive
of British Taekwondo
and an international
referee, has been
appointed to serve as
the Commonwealth
Taekwondo Union new
secretary general.
S
erving your Country?
Get involved with
the British Taekwondo
Army! Any current
serving member of the
British Army interested
in or who practice WTF
style Taekwondo are
invited to join both
the Army Martial Arts
Association (AMAA)
and British Taekwondo;
the National Governing
Body for WTF Taekwondo
in the UK. In doing
so, these individuals
will receive bushels
of benefits. Such as:
support from the Army
Sports Control Board,
specialist coaching,
access to AMMAA
funding and army and
military national and
international events.
But it doesn’t end there.
As British Taekwondo
members, these
individuals will also
have access to over 550
Taekwondo clubs nation
wide, technical and
training events in Kyorugi
and Poomsae, all national
and international British
Taekwondo events and
the pathway to the
British Team as well as,
potentially, the Olympic
and Paralympic Games.
There are also now
opportunities to attend
Level 2 Coach Education
Courses and train as a
British Taekwondo Judge
or Official. In partnership
with AMAA, we’re offering
membership to all Army
Service personnel at the
reduced rate of just £10
per annum. (Please quote
your Army Service No on
your application Form).
Membership of the AMAA
also costs just £10 per
year.
G
urpreet Singh, an up
-and-coming young
athlete is looking for
sponsorship or donations
to help him as a selffunded competitor. As
you may imagine, it is
extremely difficult to
fund such expenses, as
each tournament costs
in the region of £400. If
you can donate a little
please go to https://www.
gofundme.com/hfjp69zw
to help him achieve his
dream.
B
ritish Taekwondo Dan
Grade Promotion –
19th/20th March. Venue
TBC London/South region
. British Taekwondo Dan
grade promotion 30th
April/1st May Nottingham
Trent University, Lee
Westwood Sports centre.
PAGE 9
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
Edit onTheEditor!
An
o kickstart what we
T
hope will be a lot
of different members
appearing in British
Taekwondo Today, a
question and answer
session was put to the
editor of the magazine.
In future issues with
different profile pages
included, this should help
raise their profile and give
a lot of the membership
an insight in to who
they are, where they are,
where they teach and the
groups that they head up
or belong to, that make
up the core of British
Taekwondo.
Interview by A. Mchugh
: You are the Chief
Q
Instructor of Ki
Taekwondo, how old
are you and when did
you start training?
I started training on
the opening day of the
new Taekwondo club
that opened in Marple,
Stockport. I was 18 years
old back then which puts
me at 53 years old now.
Doesn’t time fly?not!
: Who was your
Q
instructor and who
have you trained with?
My instructor and good
friend after all these years
was Steven Loh from
Singapore. He arrived as
a Black Belt but retook
his 1st Dan as part of
Master Shin’s Academy
in Manchester. He had
arrived in Great Britain
to study at University. My
main Instructors over the
years have been from the
far east, which would be
my own instructor Steven
Loh (Singaporean),
Master Shin (Korean)
as he was the Chief
Instructor back then and
after that I had T.K. Loh
(Malaysian) as our Chief
Instructor for a good
period.
: When did you form
Q
Ki Taekwondo and
why is it called that?
I formed Ki Taekwondo
many, many years ago,
too long to remember ha
ha ha. I formed it when
I was a 3rd Dan after a
parting of ways and my
good friend Denny Jones
4th Dan examined the
students until I achieved
my 4th degee status. The
reason behind our name
is that all those years
ago I felt there was an
element missing in our
understanding of training.
That element was the
hidden techniques
or understanding of
techniques concerning
many of the hand
positions contained
in poomsae. Those
applications are the
pressure point techniques
and I looked into it quite
considerably even back
then when I was a second
degree Black Belt. So
the name Ki is because
it is the Korean word for
energy or the hidden
pathways as is Chi in
Chinese.
: Did you used to
Q
compete? Yes, I
was a fairly succesful
competition player in
my day, and won quite
a lot of medals, but that
was a long, long time
ago. There are so many
more opportunities these
days for people in the
sport side of Taekwondo.
I retired at 35 from the
competition arena in
the Velodrome where
we have the National
Championships now.
: Considering you
Q
have trained for
around 35 years, do you
know a lot of the senior
instructors in the country?
Yes I think I have come
across the majority of
the WTF practitioners
in this country at some
point and am friends with
a great many of them
inside BT and outside of
BT. Hopefully we will all be
part of a new era as 2016
kicks in more. I do have
a laugh with some of the
younger Taekwondoists
who quite often ask about
certain people and what
were they like back then.
: How did it come
Q
about you producing
a magazine? My trade
is from an artwork and
publishing background.
I have worked in that
industry since I was 16
years old. I love to be
creative both in my work
and Taekwondo. So when
a lot of us were made
redundant, due to a takeover at the Manchester
Evening News I wanted
to at least keep my hand
in and try to combine my
two great passions in life.
I have always wanted to
try and do a magazine
about our way of life and
why we’re so passionate
about it.
: Your also well known
Q
for creating The
Taegers of Taekwondo
which have featured
at every Grand Prix
tournament held in
Great Britain and other
events. How did they
come about? Even back
before I had formed Ki
Taekwondo, I had drawn
the first one from an
idea that I had to help
encourage the ki-dz in
our class and used to do
a monthly newsletter for
my students. There was a
little cartoon strip of them
and then I had the idea
that “wouldn’t it be great
if we had a full mascot
of one”. Thankfully, my
Mother is a fantastic
machinist (her trade) and
she turned my vision into
a full suit that someone
could wear. Originally
we just had one Taeger
but then the family grew.
I was asked to help out
with the school children’s
visit for the first Grand
Prix event in Manchester
and I mentioned “Would
you like me to bring our
mascots?” I was a little
surprised at first that
a lot of people in Tae
Kwon Do hadn’t really
seen them, so I sent a
video clip that we had.
PAGE 10
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
The rest is history and I
hope they go on to
become extremely
well known for us and
Taekwondo in general, as
I think everybody loves
them and they bring a fun
element to Tae Kwon Do.
: What are your hopes
Q
and aspirations for
them? As I mentioned,
I would love it if they
became so well known
on many levels, for
education, entertainment,
fun and of course a little
animated cartoon strip
would be awesome. I have
a few little things up my
sleeve that I hope come
to fruition and there’s the
possibility that we may
be taking them to the
European Championships
in Switzerland. Plus it is
an Olympic year too!
: Where have you
Q
taught Taekwondo?
I have taught mainly
in Great Britain, a
little in America and
also mainland Europe
including British Military
bases in Germany. I have
done many joint seminars
up and down the country
over the years with my
friend and I always tend
to take a Dobok with me
where ever I go on holiday
too. When The Taekwondo
was at the Greece
Olympics, I holidayed on
Crete at the same time.
I ended up teaching the
Taekwondo class there
a couple of times whilst
the Instructor was on the
mainland at the Games.
That went down really
well with the girlfriend at
the time lol!
Q
: How many Black
Belts have you
trained? Wow, I honestly
can’t remember. I used
to keep a scrapbook with
everything in it but as
time has gone by and
Ki has branched out a
little I have lost count. It
would be a great class if
they were all still training
together.
Q
: How do you view
Taekwondo today
compared to when
you started? I think
Taekwondo is ever
evolving and that’s the
way it should be, but I
also think it is in danger
of losing something too.
There are fancy kicks now
that hadn’t even been
thought of, let alone
pulIed off when I first
started training. I think
it is the responsibiity
of a lot of the senior
instructors today to strive
to find a good balance
between Sport and pure
Martial Art. I didn’t start
Taekwondo for Sport,
although I enjoyed every
part of my involvement
in it. My core reason was
to be able to look after
myself and my family.
I don’t want to see it
watered down. I think
that’s why a lot of people
enjoy the seminars that
my close colleagues and I
have done in the past, as
we cover a lot of various
core principles.
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
: What is your main
Q
focus with Taekwondo
now then? My main focus
is to obviously develop my
group Ki and our students
within it and I have
taken a lot more time in
delivering sessions where
I am not actively taking
part. I think this gives my
students a better service
and I cover all aspects
of Taekwondo. I can do
both sport and traditional
but one big aspect is
now developing what is
termed the combatives
and I don’t mean in a
sporting arena. I of course
still love to train and at
least once a week the
guys know the session
is for me to practise too.
I am just getting over an
operation to a tear in my
abdomen, so I hope will
get back at least 80%
of my ability within the
next few months, as I am
allowed to train again
now. That’s the downside
of getting a bit older; we
don’t recover as quickly!
: How long will you
Q
continue training,
teaching, practicing
Martial Arts and
Taekwondo? Probably
until I can no longer do
it. I have such a good set
of colleagues, friends and
fellow Martial Artists who
inspire me to continue
for the benefit of not only
myself but others too,
including my daughter
Cora.
PAGE 11
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
TAEKWONDO TODAY Fun & Entertainment
Hey Kidz here’s one
method of How to Tie
your Belt!...
Click the image below to watch the Taegers
performing their 4Direction punch & block basic pattern
A
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
Ki-dz
Korner
dopted Brit Colvin Caldwell, who began
his Taekwondo education here in
Cheshire, Great Britain and left for the USA
as a yellow tag, has carried on and achieved
his Yellow Belt back home. His family were
at the 2014 Grand Prix in Manchester and
his favourite was Jade Jones. Good choice
Cole. The club he began his training at here
in the UK were informed within minutes of
him being promoted. Well Done ....Colvin.
Keep on Ki-cking and wow you’ve grown
since leaving England! It’s about time Dad
did his now and Mum was an original
Kicksister too.
The Taegers of Taekwondo
C Steve Blomeley 2016 TM
O
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
Ta
!
a
D
PAGE 12
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
TAEKWONDO TODAY News
Ki-Yong-Go!
What’s the score Referee? Well a
first for British Females
was on the cards!
Massive Congratulations were sent from all her fellow referees from within
British Taekwondo as Lesley Lally became British Taekwondo’s first female
International Referee last year. Lesley is pictured here on a course in
Montenegro. British Taekwondo’s Chief Referee Christopher Codling was
especially pleased and also commented on the fact that he was really
happy with the continued hard work of all our officials, who continue
to support the many competitions we attend both here and abroad.
Below is a list of upcoming events concerning our illustrious officials,
who always put in a good shift to ensure we have quality and fair
play in the tournaments.
9th January 17th January Judges Course for Chungdokwan GB at Kingston University, Surrey - 15 Successful Candidates.
Ultimate 1 to 1 in Barnsley
2016 to come:
30/31st January Keumgang Open in Belgium – British Taekwondo Referees to attend are Jo Gratsa, Clare Laybourne and Jethro Cooke.
2-7th February US Open – British Taekwondo International Referees to
attend are Paul Timms and Ian Leafe.
13th February Judges Course for Unite Martial Arts Academy in
Southport.
21st February Horizon 1 to 1 in Bradford.
28th February Slovenian Open – British Taekwondo International
Referees to attend are George Eldrington, John Bass and Rick
Simpson.
28th February Chi TKD 1 to 1 in Spennymoor.
28th February BSTF University Championships in Worcester – All British Taekwondo people are allowed to attend.
6th March Dome 1 to 1 in Doncaster.
10-11th March Pan Am Olympic Qualifying Event in Mexico – British Taekwondo International Referees to attend are Chris Codling and Ian Leafe.
12-13th March Dutch Open in Eindhoven, Netherlands – British Taekwondo International Referees to attend are George
Eldrington, Darren Naraine and Lesley Lally (Our 1st female IR)
19-20th March Belgian Open in Lommel – British International Referees to attend are John Bass, Paul Timms and James Lewsley.
20th March Ultimate Open in Barnsley
28th March Chungdokwan GB Open in Bracknell
7-10th April ETU President’s Cup in Bonn, Germany – British Taekwondo Referees to attend are Chris Codling, George
Eldrington and Steve Gane.
17th April Yorkshire Open in Bradford
23-24th April Liverpool Open in Liverpool.
Don’t forget – you don’t have to be a top class fighter to be at
the Olympics, World or European Championships – referee’s
take part as well!
Taeger cuddly Referee toy from
the Manchester Grand Prix 2015
some still available!
PAGE 13
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
TAEKWONDO TODAY Advertisement
click an advert to access video about an advertiser
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
PAGE 14
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
A
British
Eric flying high!
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
With the great news that the Army
Martial Arts Association has teamed up
with British Taekwondo to be able to
offer great benefits and service to our
servicemen a couple of Taekwondoists
already serving answered a few
questions:
How old were you when you started
Taekwondo?
Tom: 7 years old
Eric: 7 years old
Was it something you wanted to do or
did your parents bring you for thier own
reasons?
Tom: I wanted to do it
Eric: Something I wanted to do, with
having Danii as a black belt already, but
was encouraged to join also.
What did you like about the training that
you got at that age?
Tom: The diversity, the rank structure and
the intensity. It felt like being in a tribe
Eric: The fitness, it helped keep the puppy
fat at bay through school and made me
confident that I could handle myself
out and about - which gave me more
independence earlier than maybe I would
have had without tkd.
Did you used to compete in
competitions?
Tom: Occasionally, yes I did.
Eric: No, probably the thing I regret
looking back to the training
Do you think the type of training and the
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
rmy, Navy &
irforce TKD.
‘British Taekwondo Today’ Editor managed to catch up with a couple of
Taekwondoists currently serving in our Armed Forces and asked them a
few questions about Martial Arts in the Military and what they’re up to...
military style structure to it shaped your
decision to enter into miltary service as
your career?
had a problem with authority because of
the grounding I had gained already from
tkd
Tom: It made being in military training
easier. This was due to knowing your
rank and receiving orders. Also increased
fitness level
Editor: Ha ha Tom a man of few words!
lol
Tom: Ha ha Do you need longer detailed
answers?
Editor: No mate
don’t worry it’s all good
lol.
Eric: It’s difficult to say if it made me
want to enter the armed forces. That
was something I’d always wanted to do,
but it certainly gave me the disciplined
nature that is part of everyday life in the
military and I don’t think I would have
been successful in applying without the
attitude I had nurtured at tkd
How do you think Taekwondo training
helped you as you entered service?
Tom: It prepared me mentally and
physically for what was to come
Eric: I think attitude more than anything,
because there was a few years between
finishing tkd and applying for the RAF.
The fitness side doesn’t really
come into it for me, but
certainly the discipline I
learnt and the respect for
seniors - really helped me
as I applied and started
training.
Did you find it easier to
adjust to to the strict
discipline imposed on new
recruits with your unit?
Tom: Yes!
Eric: Definitely, it came
naturally for me, and never
PAGE 15
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
Have you managed to continue to do
some form of martial art training at your
bases? If so What?
sort of thing happen, and I’m sure
you’d give the PTI’s a run for their
money!
Tom: Yes. I have competed in 3 interservice Taekwondo championships and
won them all. And I now train BJJ as well.
Editor: Not so sure there Eric, I’m
getting on a bit now lol.
Eric: I’ve not unfortunately, with being
in a training environment for such a
long time, I’ve not had chance. But it’s
something I will look to do in the future.
What is your current role in the army at
the moment and do you apply anything
that you picked up in Martial Art
training?
Tom: Royal Marine Commando, Cpl,
Physical Training Instructor, Exercise
Rehabilitation Instructor. Yes I apply.
Courtesy, integrity, perseverance,
self-control and indomitable spirit In
everything I do or teach
Eric: I’m currently training to be a pilot
in the Royal Air Force, so I can’t say I’m
doing any hand-to-hand combat as
such, as in other services!
It’s great to see you back at the club
when you’re home visiting. Perhaps one
day we can come and visit you guys and
put you through your paces whereever
you are?
Tom: Definitely any time mate, Yes
of course when can you make it?
Eric: Definitely, if you ever
wanted to run a class or day of
training on a station, let me
know! There are loads of
things in place to let that
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Eric: I doubt it!
What do you think of the news that
British Taekwondo and the Army
Martial Arts Association are now
working together to offer servicemen
lots of opportunities and benefits
regarding Taekwondo?
Tom: It’s definitely beneficial to army
recruitment and may come in handy
as the Royal Navy beat them almost
every year. It’s great to see the British
Taekwondo team doing well in the
Olympics and world champs, and the
sport is heading in the right
direction.
Editor: We’ll have to see if we
can change that eh’ Tom lol.
Eric: That’s brilliant, fitness is a huge
part of military life, as is self defence.
Combining the two and offering them to
service men is a great way to build the
fitness, attitude and discipline in a way
not usually seen in the armed forces.
Usually teaching discipline involves
shouting and room inspections; but
tkd can teach that in a totally different
environment, which can only be a good
thing. Not to mention the self defence
skills that are learnt too.
Editor: Fantastic catching up with you
guys and hope to see you both soon.
PAGE 16
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
MORE TAEKWONDO
MORE PEOPLE
MORE OFTEN
In School!
T
aekwondo in Schools is continuing! Following on from the Grand
Prix legacy where a couple of Instructors were employed to go
into Manchester Schools to deliver Taekwondo sessions, others
are now following suit and looking into the prospect of offering
our Martial Art as an alternative PE session. PE staff from various
schools all raved about the sessions that they had for their children
during the initial Phase. Now Marple Hall School has trialed it
separately, after hearing about it and sourcing the local instructor,
they have now added further sessions for their year 10s.
Marple Hall PE Staff
with thumbs up for the
Taekwondo in their School
It would boost the participation of children being actively involved
in an activity keeping them fitter and healthier, plus it may end up
boosting the Instructor’s own club membership.
T
he Ki-dz at Marple Hall School have all been really engaged
by the Taekwondo and the various things it has to offer,
boosting their confidence and self-esteem. Inevitably with large
class numbers there’s bound to be the odd one or two students
of the school who are actually already Taekwondo students too,
somewhere. This is great as they become a real
asset during some of the sessions and take
great pride in showing their class mates
what they can do. The PE staff are also
loving the fact that the nature and
structural style of the training in
Taekwondo helps
to instill selfdiscipline within
the children too.
I
T
he basic idea they had was that the Taekwondo can offer an
alternative for their GCSE grades to those children, who perhaps
don’t take to the more traditional team sports that you get on
the school curriculum. Fully qualified instructors within British
Taekwondo can offer this service to the schools in their area and
of course, it is hoped many of the students having a go at the art
would then decide to join their local BT club. Generally the club they
join, would be the one that the Instructor has who is delivering the
sessions to the school, as it’s his or hers local area.
M
any of the schools could take advantage of the new initiative
by British Taekwondo at the moment, which is to start new
clubs with a smaller term licence fee for students, to see if they can
establish it and keep it running. What this means is that if the local
instructor has time to run an after school club where he has already
been delivering the PE sessions, then it would boost the schools
objective of being able to offer more sports to the children.
nterestingly one
staff member of the
school commented on
the fact that the ki-dz love
the methodology and teaching style,
as they do like to know what the
boundaries are. The classes that
have been conducted so far with
various different class sizes, have
all resulted in a very positive
attitude and outlook from the
students. They have shown
their appreciation of the
lessons by being polite and
courteous and have been
coming up to the coach to
thank them, even though
they are on a time
schedule to get to their
next lesson. A great
credit to their school
and community.
PAGE 17
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
Educational
THE C
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
OACHES
ORNER!
LEVEL 2 COACHING COURSE
C
oaches that want to coach at the 2017 Kyorugi National Championships will need to have attended a British Taekwondo Coaching
Course this year. There are still a few places left for the Doncaster, London and Manchester courses, but you need to be quick!
The Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Taekwondo Award course has been aligned to the underpinning knowledge and understanding of
the Level 2 National Occupational Standards (NOS) for coaching, teaching and instructing. The Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Taekwondo
Award course provides you with an opportunity to study and be assessed for both practical and theoretical aspects of coaching Taekwondo.
The course recognises your knowledge and experience of ‘doing’ Taekwondo and therefore focuses on the ‘how to teach’ elements of coaching.We are currently working with partners within the qualifications industry to have the Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Taekwondo Award
course accepted on to the National Qualifications Framework
Full information about the Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Taekwondo course and an application form is available from our website
On successful completion of the Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Taekwondo Award course you will understand:
The role of a coach-The coaching process-Participant’s learning styles-Behaviour management-How to reflect on a coaching session
The principles of planning coaching sessions-The principles of skill development through coaching sessions-The principles of evaluation in
coaching-Health and safety in coaching.
In addition to these areas of learning you will also develop a greater awareness and understanding of:
Basic nutrition and hydration for sports performance-Physical conditioning for sport-Principles of mental preparation for sport
Awareness of drugs in sport-Equitable coaching-Safeguarding and protecting children in sport (inc. certification through sportscoach UK)
Course Dates:27.02.16 28.02.1603.04.16London
05.03.1606.03.1608.05.16Manchester
12.03.1613.03.1610.04.16Hampshire
12.03.16
13.03.16
10.04.16
Northern Ireland
16.04.1617.04.16 15.05.16Surrey
16.04.1617.04.16 15.05.16Durham
30.04.1601.05.16 05.06.16Scotland
14.05.1615.05.1612.06.16London
14.05.1615.05.1612.06.16Lancashire
11.06.16 12.06.1610.07.16 Doncaster
Please check for availability.
Click picture to view GB Taekwondo Squad training
PAGE 18
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
Talking
TaeKwonDo
with Tom..
Tom
Y
es, I know. I said I
would make mistakes
and I did: while I was
parted from my PC and
iPad whilst away in
Istanbul, I should have
written more on my
blog. We start 2016 with
exciting times ahead
of us. It will be a year
of change in British
Taekwond. New direction,
new ideas, new attitude
and new behaviours
leading to us becoming
“the place to be”; the best
NGB and the best WTF/
ETU Member National
Association.
to our coaches and
athletes so that they can
analyse and improve
their performances. John
Stopforth together with
Dartfish is arranging a
pilot for one Court using
top specification products
as advised to us by
Dartfish. If successful, we
will invest our members
money in further sets, so
that we can cover all of
our regional and national
events.
Now, we need your help
in advertising your group,
club, members and self
in the magazine,! either
by submitting stories
and/or by buying regular
advertising space. Contact
Beth and Steve about this,
and thanks again to Steve
and Margaret for your
support.
T
wo more new
initiatives – two
partnerships – the first
W
e had a great
meeting with
Dartfish, where we
decided to embark on a
programme to improve
athlete performance
through BT providing
Video Replay facilities at
BT events. Not to mention,
providing the data
recorded through Dartfish
as an educational tool
G
raham Preece
headed up our initial
exploratory meeting
regarding the proposed
BT Online Membership
System. Thanks to
Graham, Rick Simpson,
Mark Yell and Margaret
who are supporting this
initiative together
with our IT
suppliers.
L
N
ew people will join
us, new members will
challenge us and new
ideas will be tried. We will
succeed with most but
if we do fail on some, it
will not be because we
didn’t try! There has been
so much activity already
in the first month of
2016 – Regional Poomsae
training, regional Referee
and Judges Courses,
Regional Coach Education
Courses, Regional Kyorugi
events with planned
Regional Dan Gradings.
Did I mention it’s all
‘regional’ now?
activities and office
activities to ensure that
we provide the best
customer service to our
coaches and members.
Y
ou will have noted as
you’re reading it now,
the introduction of our
new “British Taekwondo
Today” magazine. This is
the first pilot issue after
the initial test one and I
would like to see it as a
regular 10-12 issue per
annum publication. Steve
Blomeley the editor is
committed to developing
this production for
us, supported by Beth
Bishop in our Media and
Communications function,
who will continue to
issue Newsletters and
updates as they occur.
with the Army Martial
Arts Association (AMAA)
and the second with
the British Students
Taekwondo Federation
(BSTF). We have
committed to work in
partnership with these
two bodies to promote
our art and sport further
within the British Army
and within our British
Universities.
W
elcome Theresa
Johnson to our
team in Mansfield.
Theresa will supervise
our Membership services
ate last month
I was in
Istanbul, Turkey,
in support of the
ETU and European
Qualification Event
for Rio 2016. As
you will already
know, Mahama Cho
was outstanding
in being selected
as the forth GBR
representative
for Rio. Well
done Mahama, it was a
pleasure to be there and
to be British. During my
visit I attended my first
ETU Council Meeting
which was both a
pleasure and an honour
for me. I had dinner
with WTF President Dr
Choue and ETU President
Pragalos as well as
developing many new and
existing relationships with
WTF/ETU officials and
other MNA Presidents.
J
ust after Christmas I
received a call from
WTF President Choue
asking if I would serve
Taekwondo in the capacity
of Secretary General
of the Commonwealth
Taekwondo Union
(CTU), with a view to
establishing Taekwondo
as a core sport in the
Commonwealth Games.
Our Board has approved
this and I was therefore
able to confirm my
support and accept this
great honour.
T
his month will have
seen the Board, led
by our Chair Ieda Gomes
Yell together with Non
Executive Director Paul
Mckenzie, together with
‘me’ interview short listed
candidates for the role of
Non Executive Director.
This appointment will
be made with a view
to adding significant
commercial expertise to
our Board.
I
will also have been
interviewed as one
of the candidates
for the role of Chief
Executive Office and I
have looked forward
to explaining my plans
about how to develop
British Taekwondo,
for the benefit of all
its members. So keep
enjoying your Taekwondo,
keep participating, keep
growing and be open to
change.
T
om Stammer. Acting
Chief Executive
Email: tom.stammer@
britishtaekwondo.org
The Taegers Copyright
Steve Blomeley 2015
PAGE 20
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
Turkish Delight
after a leap of faith.....
Cho kicked to the face
with a reverse which the
judges didn’t score. Nelson
appealed and it was upheld
taking the score to 11-2 with
20 seconds remaining in
round 3. Molfetta got one
back but the score finished
11-3 - a resounding success
for GB’s Mahama Cho! Cho
went on to compete against
Belarus in the final and win
a positive 4-2.
By Michael McKenzie
European Taekwondo
Qualification
Tournament for Rio
2016 XXXI Olympiad
January 16-17 2016
E
urope is the strongest
continental regions of the
WTF and this event promised
to deliver
extremes of
emotions as Olympic dreams
were both fulfilled and
shattered at the same time.
As well as the two days of
competition, the European
Taekwondo Union also
hosted the 1st ETU media
workshop to better educate
and inform journalists about
the sport of Taekwondo in
preparation for Rio 2016.
Three other Olympic places
were already secured and
so GB could only enter one
athlete. Cho was coached
by Nelson Miller with
support from team Physio
Simon Edwards and GB
Performance Director Gary
Hall.
B
T
ritish interest in the
event was Mahama Cho
Male +80kg. Cho was denied
automatic selection through
the world ranking Grand Prix
series. He had looked to be a
certainty but a rival achieved
more last minute points
Great Britian has qualified 4
athletes for Rio, the 2016 the
team is most likely to be
om Stammer, acting
CEO, represented British
Taekwondo at the ETU
Council meeting and I, Mike
McKenzie was invited to
speak to the Media Workshop
along with John Cullen He
and I both commentate at
international
Taekwondo
events.
T
through participation in the
CISM World military games.
he competition took place
at the WOW Istanbul
Hotel and Convention Centre
on 16-17th January. In total
there were 134 athletes
from 47 National teams and
for the first time ranked
athletes with refugee status
were allowed to compete.
The first day of competition
featured the Male -58 and
Male -68kg divisions and
Female -49 and -57.
The competitors wore the
Generation 2 Daedo trunk
protectors and E Headguards
which first featured in the
Grand Prix finals in Mexico in
December and may be used
in Rio. With some practice
time on the new protectors
the athletes were much
happier than in Mexico! The
full list of results can be
seen on www.maregonline.
com with the winning semi
-finalists qualifying a place
in Rio.
T
he matches varied in
standard and scores, with
many of the top European
athletes already qualified.
Israel qualified their first ever
male Taekwondo athlete and
refugee Raheleh Asemani
, now living in Belgium
qualified under the WTF flag.
The match of the tournament
from a GB perspective
was the semi-finals in the
+80kg division Mahama Cho
ranked number one versus
Olympic Gold medallist from
London 2012 Carlo Molfetta
of Italy. Molfetta was the
Giant-slayer of London 2012
a natural middleweight who
moved up to take Olympic
Gold.
T
he match got off to a
cautious start with both
receiving
warnings
for
inactivity. This
stirred
both
on and they
attempted
head
shots
which
were
millimetres
away
from
scoring.
The
first
round
ended 0-0 .
Cho scored a
body shot but
received a second warning
and the score was tied at
1-1. Cho got a combination
of two head kicks and
completed the round at 7-1.
The Italian coach appealed
saying the points were
awarded twice. The PSS was
inspected and a video review
was done, which added to
the tension and suspense.
The equipment got the allclear and the points stood
Cho was now in control but
recieved two more warnings
bringing the score to 7-2.
Jade Jones MBE -57kg
Bianca Walkden +67kg
Lutalo Muhammad
or Damon Sansum -80kg
Mahama Cho +80kg
I
t should be noted that
WTF President Chung Won
Choue and ETU President
Sakis Pragalos visited the
site of the terrorist attacks
in Istanbul the week before
the event and placed flowers
in memory of the victims.
They also visited a Refugee
Camp where the WTF
Humanitarian Foundation
is working to help improve
the lives of refugees through
sport and education.
PAGE 21
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
Over the last 2 years regular meetings have been held at Sport Scotland’s Headquarters in Edinburgh between organisations representing the various styles
of taekwondo in Scotland: WTF, ITF and independent groups. The aim of these meetings was to work together to form a Scottish Taekwondo Council, which
would aim to gain recognition from Sport Scotland in order to seek much needed support from this national government agency.
SCoT
Scottish
Council
O
n an almost monthly basis, Taekwondo Scotland Executive members:
William Darlington, Martin Hold, Jim Kennedy and James Lewsley
attended these meetings, over this time representing the interests of
Taekwondo Scotland and British Taekwondo in these discussions. On the
10th of January 2016, the Scottish Council of Taekwondo (SCoT) was
formed and held its first General meeting in Edinburgh. Taekwondo
scotland is now a full voting member of SCoT and Master Jim Kennedy
has been elected as a Director of this organisation along with 4
representatives from the other groups: Masters Derek Campbell, David
Condie, Paul Donnelly, Sheena
Sutherland and 1 independent
director.
P
lease be assured that this in
no way affects our governance
or membership of, or status
within British Taekwondo. This is
an exciting development and an
opportunity for every participating
Taekwondo group in Scotland to
seek support and develop the
sport / martial art at every level to
benefit members. We would like to
thank Jane Harvey – the facilitator
of the working group negotiations
- along with the representatives
from Taekwondo scotland and the
other organisations for working so
hard to establish SCoT. Updates will
be published soon and a SCoT web site will be established. If anyone
needs more information or clarification on this, please contact the
taekwondoscotland Chairperson, Martin Hold.
O
ver the last 12 months, a working group has been meeting on a
monthly basis at SportScotland Headquarters in Edinburgh to
establish the foundations of SCOT: Scottish Council of Taekwondo.
SCOT will consist of various ITF, WTF and also independent taekwondo
groups (WTF & ITF style) who are not part of either British Taekwondo
or The British Taekwondo Council. This council will have the sole aim
of promoting the Sport of Taekwondo generally in Scotland by working
together and receiving support from funding bodies such as the
Scottish Government and sportscotland. The representatives from all
of the various taekwondo styles and federations in Scotland have been
discussing how they might all come together to form a group that meets
the demands of the funders and supporters without anyone coming into
conflict with their individual
Of
Taekwondo
Governing Bodies. The idea of this Council is not to control Taekwondo
and its practice in any way. That is for Governing Bodies and Federations.
SCOT is tasked with presenting a united front to the funders as has been
the case in England with some success.
A
t each of the meetings at least two representatives of
taekwondoscotland® Executive Committee have been in attendance
to represent the interests of British Taekwondo members participating in
Scotland and to ensure we, British Taekwondo (Scotland), as a group are
fairly represented within this newly
formed organisation. We will continue
to do so and will strive to ensure that
the interests of British Taekwondo
members in Scotland are looked after.
In order to benefit from the support
that will undoubtedly come the way
of Taekwondo in Scotland, from
promoting participation, developing
instructors and officials, supporting
competitions and tournaments and
finally backing performance athletes,
we need to commit to being involved
and we need all of British Taekwondo
members in Scotland to support us.
U
ntil now the formation of this
group has intentionally been lowkey and no details have been released.
Following a lot of negotiation and
discussion; the formation of this Council has entered its final phase.
Other non-affiliated groups will now be contacted and notified of SCOT
and invited to attend an information meeting on the 15th November
at sportscotland HQ in Edinburgh. Of course taekwondoscotland exec
members will be there to represent you and I will feed any info back to
you.
The roles of the Directors of SCOT are now being formulated and
as one of the pioneering groups involved in the setup of this body:
Twotaekwondoscotland Executive members have expressed their desire
to be considered as Directors of SCOT when the 1st General Meeting
takes place in January 2016.
PAGE 22
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
!
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
No Payne A Club Growth
No Gain Journal.....
By Phill Payne
M
y name is Phill
Payne and I am a
British Taekwondo coach/
instructor. I currently run
two full-time martial arts
centres while doing a
little coach mentoring for
West Yorkshire Sport and
finishing off my Sports
Coaching Masters degree.
O
ver
the
coming
months I hope to
write some articles to help
clubs grow and sustain
their
membership.
To
break this down in to its
most basic form, to grow
your club you need to
attract new members and
retain the ones currently
training with you. I know
this is not news to most
instructors but achieving
both these goals longterm can be challenging.
As your club matures ,
these challenges change.
Getting started from zero
students is always tough.
As your club gets bigger,
you then need attract more
have a bucket of money
to give away, your service
needs, at the very least, to
pay for itself. If you divide
the maximum number of
students you would be
comfortable teaching in
t goes without saying your venue with the price
good starting point
that the venue you run of your rent, you will be able
is to work out who your classes from should be to work out your potential
your ideal student is. It close to and accessible by gross profit. Changing the
figures around a
is easy to say
little and dividing
that you want to
‘Once you have
your
proposed
teach
everyone
identified your
session
price
with
Taekwondo
but
ideal student/
you
rent
cost
will
this only leads to
customer, have an
allow
you
to
work
you try to ‘please
appropriate venue
everyone, all of
to operate from and our the minimum
numbers you need
the time’ and
have worked out
to break even.
a scattergun
how much you are
approach
going to charge,
with
your
nce you have
you are ready to
marketing.
identified
start planning your
You can end
your
ideal student/
marketing activity’
up firing lots
customer, have an
of bullets, but
appropriate venue
hitting very little.
your potential customers. to operate from and have
It may sometimes be worked out how much
ou need to know cheaper to rent space or you are going to charge
who your target take a lease in a venue for your service, you are
market is so that outside of a residential ready start planning your
you can plan your area or ‘off the beaten marketing activity. I have
marketing while also track’, but the money you seen the ‘build it and
tailoring your service save in rent will then have they will come’ approach
for them. Rather than to be spent on marketing fail many times before. If
using the scattergun to make up for the walk you really want your club
approach,
try
to -ins you could have had.
to grow, it helps to be a
become a sniper with
master of marketing as
your
service
and
ne of the most well as Taekwondo.
marketing. This will
important processes
help you maximise that
is
commonly
n my next article I
your
efforts
and overlooked is how you
will include my top 5
resources.
When price your service. You methods of obtaining
choosing your target will probably have your new students. For more
market, it is important own view on whether this coaching articles, follow
that it is aligned with should be high or low but @martialartscoach
on
your own objectives. If you can not get around twitter.
you are interested in the fact that unless you
and more new members
just to account for the
members you lose. For
this reason, you need to
focus on both your service
and your marketing if you
want sustained growth.
A
specialising in a certain
area of Taekwondo, it
makes sense to ensure
that your services and
marketing is customised
for this demographic.
I
O
Y
O
I
British
TAEKWONDO TODAY CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS
British Taekwondo Club Members Page
PAGE 24
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
“
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
An Ultimate
1-2-1 success
and more tournaments
W
here winning is everything” is
Ultimate’s motto and Kathy Hook,
the chief instructor to the group
had taken the gamble to stage a very early
one-on-one championship to kickstart the
year off in style. It paid off with quite a few
of the British Taekwondo clubs rallying round
and promising to do their best to attend the
January Competition
K
athy had said she was concerned
about hosting an event so close after
Christmas but she was really pleased
with the numbers so early on in the year. In
attendance at the Barnsley event were 19
clubs from around the country with 175 players
all pitting their skills against each other on
the mat. It was great to see everybody there.
There was a slight panic on the Saturday
evening as the snow began to come down and
settle. Travelling coaches and students did
have quite a scenic journey with everything
being crisp and white. New year. New NGB.
New outlook!
T
he atmosphere at the competition was
great and there was some really good
close games. Kathy stated she was really
pleased to see so many close matches and
quite a few went to golden point meaning
she had done a great job in matching up the
players with experience and ability. Kathy
stresses how important it is for coaches to
send in the correct heights for players when
registering their players.
I
t was nice to see a few matches with the
very tiny 4 year olds competing and also
some elite and GB squad members. It was
fantastic for everyone to get some ring time
after a little lay-off, celebrating the festivities.
Kathy would like to thank Chief Referee Chris
Codling, the BT Referees and judges plus the
on theHorizon
coaches and players of course. She also
thanked the travelling spectators supporting
their friends and families and last, but not
least, the Ultimate volunteers whom without
she couldn’t run the event. Now that Kathy
has kicked everything off for 2016 and has
more events in the pipeline, everybody will be
turning their attention to the next one on the
calendar list which will be hosted by Horizon
and before we all know it we’ll probably be
back in Barnsley with Kathy again for another
‘pen-Ultimate’ event! Well done Kathy a great
start to the year.
PAGE 25
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
C
entral Taekwondo Instructors
David and Angie Bailey
welcomed a top Korean athlete
to their home and dojang after
training at his club back in Korea.
David Bailey, a UTA member is
well known on the Taekwondo
circuit and travels frequently with
his Taekwondo duties. Angie is a
ken Poomsae competitor too.
M
aster Lee Jae Ram, from
Korea’s Yong In University in
Seoul arrived in Falkirk, Scotland
to stay with the Baileys and to
deliver seminars in Scotland as
well as the Midlands and Belfast.
Having been greatly impressed
by the standard of students at
Master Lee Jae Ram’s club back
in Korea, David and Angie were
very keen to host him to inspire
their students at their own club in
Falkirk.
C
entral Taekwondo has had
a really good year and David
stated that it is extremely fortunate
to be able to train and learn
from a truly world class Korean
Taekwondoist. The Taekwondo
Bailey family are hoping that he
will be the first of many Korean
visitors to the Central Academy
as they endeavour to develop
links with Korea’s top clubs and
universities. They are hoping too
that there will be opportunities
for Central members to visit the
homeland of Taekwondo on a
student exchange programme.
O
f course the visiting Korean
Master was also given a
glimpse of Scottish life, sampling
some of the culinary delights plus
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
visiting some of the famous
landmarks. The club had
a special demonstration
evening in January where
they welcomed Scotland’s
Honorary Consul to South
Korea Mr Derek McCulloch
and Falkirk Provost Pat
Reid. The VIPs met with
Master Lee and enjoyed
a superb display of top
class Kyorugi and Poomsae
from some of the Central
members and from Master
Lee himself!
M
r McCulloch was really
impressed, and has
offered to get the Korean
Embassy on board with
helping to develop links
between Central Academy
and Korea. Time went by
very quickly and it won’t be
long before Master Lee who
is also an assistant Coach
at Arumchan Korea which
is one of the top clubs in
the country will be back
in Falkirk being a Central
attraction again!
FEBRAURY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
PAGE 26
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
British University Championship 2016
T
his BSTF University championships is the 30th
Annual Student National Taekwondo Championships
and will take place on 27th - 28th February 2016 at the
University of Worcester Arena, Hylton Road, Worcester,
WR2 5JN
The
British
Student
Taekwondo
Federation committee is looking
forward to welcoming you to the 30th
annual Student National Taekwondo
Championships and joining them in
celebrating this incredible milestone for
student Taekwondo, 30 years of student
sport! The Student Nationals has gone
from strength to strength, with record
attendances year on year reaching 389
players from 42 clubs at last year’s event!
A record we hope you’ll break again at
this very special Student Nationals!
Six Taekwondo disciplines will be contested: WTF rules
Sparring; Kukki Individual Patterns; Kukki Mixed Pairs
Patterns; all including A, B and C class divisions.
ITF rules Sparring; Chang-Hon Individual Patterns; and
Chang-Hon Teams Patterns;
Following discussions with British Taekwondo and GB
Taekwondo we are excited to announce that this year’s
MOTIVATION
by Eddie Tyrell
What is it. How do you monitor it? How do you create
it.
Well let’s take a look firstly at what the word means to
get a better understanding of it.
According to the Oxford dictionary Motivation is the
process which encourages and guides behaviour.
Motivation is an artificial construction that cannot be
measured. So let’s have a look at what motivates you
and why.
What motivates me to teach Taekwondo week in week
out, year in year in year out? I could say a number of
things, e.g. keeping fit, learning self-defence, meeting
new individuals, increasing self-esteem and confidence! I don’t just do this for the sake of it! As you
know many issues arise teaching any sport, such as
different individuals with different needs of learnings,
and different levels of physical abilities. By providing
sport as a way, individuals can come together to learn
such skills, not just from the sport of choice but also
learn life skills.
A good instructor has to demonstrate not only the
knowledge of the sport they teach, they also have to
demonstrate personal qualities that go along with a
person-centered approach. These are key principles to
Student Nationals will be the selection event for the
European Universities Games, pending agreement
with BUCS regarding EUSA application deadlines and
confirmation of the World Taekwondo ranking/nonranking status of the event. Gold medallists in the
Student Nationals A-class WTF
rules sparring and Kukki patters
events will move forward to the
final team selection stage for the
European Student Games, a major
student event of the European
University Sports Association to
be held in the Croatian cities of
Zagreb and Rijeka in July 2016. All
A-class sparring medallists will
also be invited to a training event
day with GB Taekwondo coaches at
the national team training centre
in Manchester. We will once again be
running our Student & Alumni Team Challenge Cups
sparring events, ITF rules on Saturday and WTF rules
on Sunday. Teams of 3 players with a combined weight
category compete after the main Student Nationals
sparring events. You may combine A-class student
and alumni players to make up your teams. See the
Information Pack for eligibility details.
All A-class WTF rules sparring divisions will be contested
using the Daedo PSS electronic scoring system.
The deadline for your team’s entry sheet to be received
is midnight on Friday 19th February 2016.
motivation and by developing a process that guides
and changes behaviour, this can motivate people.
How many times has a parent presented a child to
you for training and the parent speaks when you
ask the child “why do you want to take part in this
sport?” The parent answers for them stating they
are overweight by poking the child and they require
confidence skills, discipline skills. How do you create
a process that will motivate the individual to guide
and change their behaviour? From what the parent
says, it is their lack self-esteem and confidence! How
do you motivate someone who is experiencing that?
Well here you are, you have a dojang, you create a
place through sports, fun, feedback through gradings,
this process then guides and changes the individual’s
behaviour. Surely? Making use of your person-centred
approach is key to providing the right environment for
people to grow and develop and reach their potential.
When people lose motivation, as people will, they
are having difficulty with maintaining the levels of
motivation they have built up through the process for
example sports or group work etc. It is only natural
for people to lose their motivation. People should
differentiate between motivation and interest. These
are two different things. People become interested
in things. However, when people show an interest
and become interested in things, they go through a
process that guides and changes behaviour, otherwise
they would not do it in the first place. When people
lose motivation they become de-motivated, and the
results are people leaving sports, relapsing back into
bad habits, although this is only part of the relapse.
To maintain and support people to remain motivated
you could develop tools such as goal-setting. This will
motivate people and they will go through a process
that guides and changes behaviour as they achieve
each small little step.
Lets look at why I get up every morning and head into
work. My back ground is in mental health and addiction work. How do you develop a process that guides
and changes individuals’ behaviour to controlling
panic attacks, developing relapse prevention skills and
so on. by providing the right environment first of all,
and by encouraging people through person centered
approach to partake in a process of group work and
1-2-1 counselling sessions. This then encourages and
guides their behaviour to change and I must say it’s
very successful. If the individual stops engaging in this
process, the likelihood is that they will return to their
old behaviours.
We look forward to seeing you all at a very
special 30th anniversary Championships!
I don’t claim to know everything about motivation.
However I know it’s a process and if you provided a
process you can unlock their potential to bring out
the best in people. What motivates high-performance
athletes to get up every day and strive for Olympic
gold and so on. At times they will have challenged
their motivation, thinking should I pack it in? Their
coach provides an environment through a process
that encourages and guides their behaviour, to go
onto to becoming that champion. Building up their
self-belief, challenging their doubts and other selfdefeating actions or thought processes.
PAGE 27
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
MT
International Events
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
British Events
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2-7th February US Open
11-14th February
Canada Open & Canada Para Open
WTF G1 Ranked
13th February Judges Course Southport
Ki Taekwondo Birmingham University
Seminar
14 Feb 2016
Turkish Open/Poomsae Open
Antalya /Turkey
18 Feb 2016
European Clubs Championship
European Clubs Championship
Antalya /Turkey
21st February
Horizon 1 to 1 in Bradford.
21 Feb 2016
European Kids Championship
27 Feb 2016
Slovenia Open Maribor/Slovenia
27/28th Feb British International
Poomsae Championships
28th Feb Chi TKD 1 to 1 Spennymoor
28th February BSTF University
Championships
6th March Dome 1 to 1 in Doncaster.
Sunday 6th March BT Tech
Seminar, Nottingham Trent University
12-13 Mar 2016
Dutch Open Eindhoven
Netherlands
10-11th March Pan Am Olympic
Qualifying Event in Mexico
19th/20th BT March Dan Grade Promotion Venue TBC London/South region
19-20th March Belgian Open in
Lommel
20th March Ultimate Open in Barnsley
28th March Chungdokwan GB Open in
Bracknell
7-10th April ETU President’s Cup in
Bonn, Germany
17th April Yorkshire Open in Bradford
23-24th April Liverpool Open
30th April/1st May BT Dan Grade
Promotion Nottingham Trent Univesity
Sunday 8th May BT Technical Seminar
Speenymoor Leisure Centre
11th/12th June BT Dan Grade
Promotion, Spennymoor Leisure
Centre
Welcome
to
No, Not the destination of this Summer’s
Olympic games but cheeky ‘Rio the Taeger Cub’,
designed and created by Steve Blomeley to help
delight, entertain, inspire and educate the fun
loving people of Taekwondo. Of course, he will
be cheering on the Olympic athletes during their
trials and tribulations in the party capital of
Brazil.
With Mahama Cho securing a fourth Olympic
Qualifying slot for Great Britain’s athletes, he
will have plenty of home interest too to get
excited about. Go Go Go GB! Let’s hope with a
bit of Taegerific luck we will achieve the desired
outcome and everyone will be a Winner!
PAGE 28
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
T
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
BRITISH
POOMSAE
International
COMPETITION
wenty-sixteen will see the biggest
Poomsae international event ever
staged in the UK as 520 players from
as far as Australia, Russia, Bulgaria
and many European National
teams will participate inside the K2
Arena in Crawley, Sussex. Poomsae
or Patterns are a set sequence of
movements that consists of the
various fundamental stances,
blocks, punches and kicks logically
arranged in a meaningful order in
response to attacks from multiple
imaginary assailants. Each Poomsae
pattern consists of an established
sequence of movements which has
a philosophical meaning and each
Poomsae has its own character and
distinct quality. There is a full range
of age categories from Peewee to
plus 65, Para and freestyle.
B
oth World and European
Champions will compete in
standard Poomsae, Freestyle, Team
and Para Divisions. It’s fantastic
that the Para Taekwondo features
strongly in this competition, getting
bigger and stronger every year
throughout the world.
A
t least one hundred volunteers
from Local Clubs and Northern
Ireland will assist with the technical
details, logistics, airport, hotel and
venue transportation. It will be
a major operation looking after
everybody and a key factor in
ensuring things run smoothly for a
successful competition.
E
very stage of the event is
supported by Ki Martial Arts ,
Cruisers Coach Company and Driscoll
landscape
K
eeping a little bit of fun
throughout the two days, the
Taegers should be at the event
cheering on the Home Nations
including Scotland, Northern Ireland,
England, Gibraltar and the Isle Of
Man who will be challenging the
overseas national teams and the
UK National Squad will be hoping
to get a good start to 2016 for their
journey to qualify for the World
Championships in Peru later in the
K2 Arena, Crawley.
A
t least twenty-two international
referees from UK, Korea, Russia
Switzerland, Germany, Sweden
Austria, Belgium and many more
Countries will be judging the event.
With such a range of high pedigree
competitors it can be a very fine
line between being crowned the
champion and finishing in second
place.
E
vents will be online for the
first time ever as the Poomsae
championship will have live
streaming via the internet,
something that is normally reserved
for the Kyorugi. Even students of
Taekwondo who don’t normally
compete in poomsae competition
or cannot attend the event will have
a great opportunity to observe and
watch some of the best practitioners
and pick up some tips.
A key Organiser British Taekwondo’s Derek Sumner with a Para competitor
PAGE 29
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
Manx Taekwondo
West Taekwondo
Poomsae
Festival 2016
– Isle of Man
The
weekend commencing the 29th January was eagerly anticipated by
all in attendance. There was not a person amongst us that wanted
the experience to end. It was evident from the outset that the
standard of instruction had been countered by an equivalent level of preparation by
the Onchan and Peel contingent. The level of preparation was about to be tested, and
tested it was. Master Derek and his team are without doubt exceptional instructors,
quick and light in their movement from one component of the Taekwondo Poomsae
Curriculum to the next. From the basic to the most intricate of application of stance,
posture and interpretation of movement was duly demonstrated to the highest
standards as was to be expected. A smooth transition from muscle preparation,
general fitness and poomsae to one-step sparring drills ranging from Ap Chagi
(front kick) to Yop chagi (side kick) and Dollyo Chagi (full turning kick). By any
standards, it is clear to see that he not only values the combat sport of Taekwondo,
but also the spirit of Poomsae because the Poomsae itself is Taekwondo.
Awash with sweat, which was an indication of the level of commitment and pitch
to which all had been working, in particular the aging sector of participants’.
Hour upon hour was the focus, forms or Poomsae, starting with Taegeuk I Jang
(Pattern 1) to Poomsae Koryo (Pattern 9), with the occasional interruption
for a break for water. In reviewing the weekend, it can be said that all were
both pleased to have participated with such vigour and enthusiasm, energy
and effort, a true indication to the outstanding level of commitment from the
Onchan and Peel Taekwondo Clubs. Rod and David respectfully in equal part
are very proud at the level of ability displayed by their students in matching
the precision of Master Derek’s Team during Poomsae training. Based solely
on the fluidity and precision with which these techniques where delivered,
it is blatantly obvious that these students are endowed with the spirit and
physical stamina required of the true martial artist. Recognition goes out to
all involved. Michael Ferrer (Manx Taekwondo) best male player of the day
Gracie Burns (West Taekwondo) best female player of the day Renz Ferrer & Nancy Shefford for best
pairs Neil Ecolango for best senior Nino Ontoy for best peewee Olivia Burns for best cadet Marc Lynes for best para Chloe Marsh,
Annan Jones, Sebastian Shields, Marc Agustin for best newcomers Dom Ontoy, Garry and Paul for pushing back the years and proving that you can teach
an old dog new tricks.
Chairman of British Taekwondo on the Isle of Man, Rod Nielsen would like to thank Master Derek Sumner and his students Sue, Johnny, Marc, Virgil and
Sheena who travelled over to the island from London for the festival. He would also like to thank West Taekwondo of Peel whose students very keenly took
part in everything that was put on over the weekend. He is delighted with how the weekend went and how all clubs got on extremely well
PAGE 30
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
PRINT OFF AND COLOUR ME IN Ki-DZ
tAEGERS COLOUR ME
IN SHEET
The Taegers of Taekwondo
C Steve Blomeley 2016 TM
O
PAGE 31
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
TAEKWONDO TODAY Article
FEBRUARY 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY
BRITISH TAEKWONDO TODAY
by Master S.H. Blomeley
email: steveblomeley@gmail.com
Tel: 0161 456 1976
LEND ME
YOUr EAR?
By Mark Hayward
Instructors, cast your mind back to the time you first discovered Taekwondo?
Maybe you are of the old school and discovered Taekwondo as a child in a dusty
church hall or in more recent times a new leisure facility with all benefits of the latest equipment. Either way you made the choice to come into an environment that has
carried on ‘scratching your itch’. The fact that you are reading this means you are still
involved in some way, shape or form.
I
remember as a kid waiting outside my local youth centre with 50p and butterflies
in my stomach wondering what I’m letting myself in for...... And yes 30 something
years ago an hours class did indeed cost 50p. Memories of what I now know to be
lactic acid in my legs, blood blisters on my feet, went hand in hand with a real sense
of achievement and enjoyment that I had not found in any other activity that I had
tried. One person made that possible, YOU! Well not you, but the instructor who shall
remain nameless for fear of giving away his age, (I’m 43). He took the time to introduce me to a few established students, showed me where to put my stuff and then
gave me a position in the line, that made me feel secure and empowered. But most
of all he asked me WHY I had chosen Taekwondo and what it was that I wanted to
achieve. Now, I was a kid and I vividly remember thinking to myself ‘why is he asking
me this’ and making me feel so important? So I gave some standard answers, fitness,
self defence etc, etc but the one thing that stuck out was the fact that he LISTENED.
He made strong eye contact, he validated my answers by repeating back to me what
I had said and for the first time ever, I felt like I had met an adult who respected my
opinion, allowed me to speak openly and seemed genuinely interested in me. I was
blown away! It seemed that all that speak when you’re spoken to and seen and not
heard business was not relevant in his dojang purely and simply because he had the
good sense to understand that listening to children builds confidence and confidence
is a transferable skill. We all have that kid who comes to class, wants our attention, is
eager to show you his latest toy, move or trainers etc. We are all busy. Heads are buzzing with lesson plans and time is of the essence. But, always make time to listen no
matter how fantastic the story might seem. No matter how wrong the move might be
or how many pairs of Nike Airmax you have seen in your life. The fact is that child has
chosen to tell YOU! imagine being the only adult that actively listens to that child, the
only adults he or she trusts enough to allow you into their thoughts without fear of
judgement or ridicule. We are in the business of developing people. So, the next time
you are given the privilege of listening to a child. Enjoy it and know that you must be
doing something right. Because adults who truly listen to children are rarer than you
think.
www.britishtaekwondo.org.uk