Tags

Feeds / Spirit Taekwon-Do news

This feed is published by Spirit Taekwon-Do.

This feed is read by this Whakaoko subscription

Added on 19 Dec 2009. Last read 1 month ago.

To subscribe to this feed, enter the following location into your feed reader.

This feed currently contains the following newsitems (total count 10):

    • February Update
      • Hi Everyone This is just a quick update on a few things and request your assistance. 1) Assistance Needed On February 17th (just 2 weeks away), Wellington's Round The Bays run is being held. Wellington Region Taekwon-Do have the task of helping out with the marshalling at the event. This is just helping move the crowd around to the right places and various other tasks. This is really important to Wellington Taekwon-Do for several reasons, but mainly it gives us a big promotional opportunity. As a result of us helping out there are pamphlets in every race pack advertising us. But... we need to support the effort. We need over 50 marshalls to help out at the event, and at the moment we are struggling to get the numbers up. Please... If you can help out ... fill out the form at http://wellington.itkd.co.nz/2013-round-the-bays/ It's not a huge commitment, it helps Wellington citizens (hence allowing us to give back to the community - which is actually a part of Taekwon-Do!), it helps Taekwon-Do in the region as well. All are welcome, so you can make it a family affair. You don't need to be a practicing Taekwon-Do member to be a part of it.   2) GrandMaster Lan seminar, Palmerston North, Tues 19th Feb On Tuesday 19th Feb, Grandmaster Lan (9th Dan) will be running a seminar in Palmerston North. The opportunity to train with a 9th Dan is very rare. I've not personally met GM Lan myself, but everything I have heard about him has been really good. He's a very talented and knowledgable master of Taekwon-Do and you should seriously consider travelling to Palmerston North for this event. See: http://itkd.co.nz/events/courses/technical/current.php   3) Sparring Seminar, Sunday, 3 March 2013, Porirua Miss Estelle Speirs and Mr Kane Baigent are running a Development Sparring Seminar at the Porirua ITF Dojang in Wellington. When: Sunday, 3 March 2013 Session 1 (Blue belt and below) – 10am-12pm ($20 or max $30 per family) Session 2 (Red belt and above) – 1pm – 3pm ($30 or max $50 per family) Where: Porirua ITF Taekwon-Do. 22 Natone Street, Waitangirua, Porirua What is it: Miss Speirs and Mr Baigent have recently returned form the World Cup in London and will be running a sparring seminar to help students with their own sparring training and development. Miss Speirs became the first NZ female to win a gold medal in sparring at the World Cup and Mr Baigent made the quarter finals. Combined these two have over 20 years of experience in International Sparring competition, and are experienced in coaching with three of their own students winning gold in sparring at the World Cup also. This is a chance to learn what it takes to be a successful fighter from some of the best in NZ. Two sessions will be held, one for beginners and another for more experienced fighters (please get in contact if you are below blue belt but wish to attend the second session). There will also be a 20 minute question and answer session after training where you can ask questions and find out more on developing your own training. Contact: Miss Estelle Speirs - Email estellespeirs@gmail.com or Mobile 027 245 2902 4) Training expectations The instructors got together early this year to discuss what we considered to be the most important challenges facing the students (and the instructors) this year. We talked a lot about the approach to training, the importance of regular attendance, and the importance of getting out of your comfort zone. As a result we will be encouraging greater participation from all the members in things like tournaments and combined trainings. So, what we really want people to consider this year is a) How much you are attending training. You really should be trying to get to 2 trainings a week, and we think that aiming for 80% attendance is something that everyone should be doing. People going for black belt and over should be looking at 3 trainings a week (at minimum) b) Entering a tournament. This is not a very comfortable thing for some people, but we challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and give it a go. White and Yellow belts - you have lots of options including entering Patterns, Sparring, and the flying high kick and flying overhead (side kick over a distance). Green belts and over - sparring is a part of your syllabus now, so sparring in a tournament is something that we really want you to try out at least once. It's honestly not as scary as it looks. So - for those more senior belts who are yet to enter sparring in a tournament - you can expect your instructor to be having a bit of a chat!. Of course patterns and the flying kicks (and power destruction sometimes) are also available as options too. There are several tournament options throughout the year, and you may also get the chance to compete at the Nationals! c) Combined events. The Wellington region hosts combined training events on occasion, and we are also looking at having a few Spirit ones as well. The most recent one was the Beach training. Which was awesome fun!! There was a good turnout from Spirit - but a lot of you missed out too. We consider these combined events to be pretty much compulsory! There is a lot that you can gain from training in a larger environment, with different instructors, and meeting different people from Taekwon-Do. We understand that we have a big range of ages in the group, and we will try to cater for everyone when we hold Spirit ones. It's a good opportunity for the kids to train with "bigger kids" too. d) Getting out to different clubs. Training on occasion at a different club can be very advantageous. Several things happen: You have to step a little out of your comfort zone. This is a good thing! You get to be taught by a different instructor - which can lead to breakthroughs in your understanding of Taekwon-Do You get to meet new people and train with different people. Training with a variety of people is important in Taekwon-Do because we are all shaped differently and we all move differently. So - please take all of the above into consideration when planning for your Taekwon-Do this year. In short, what we would like to see is: - 80% attendance - attendance at combined events - entering a tournament. Greens and over - entering sparring at least once - get out and about to different clubs.   OK - that's all!  Hopefully lots of food for thought there. If you have any feedback you can contact your instructor directly, or talk to them at training. All of us have emails like:   firstname@sprit.net.nz, or you can contact us all at once on  instructors@spirit.net.nz Thanks a lot everyone! Yours in Taekwon-Do Brett Kraiger Head Instructor, Spirit Taekwon-Do brett@spirit.net.nz 027 333 4240

    • Organiser needed for the Regional Tournament
      • Looking for a super keen bean to organise this year's regional tournament. You don't need to be an instructor, or a black belt! Loads of support available to guide and assist. First job is to secure a venue.... Tournament can be held anywhere between say June and August. July ideal. Please get in touch with Sheryl Chase OR speak to your instructor! And, if your looking for some points for your BB grading, it's worth five contribution credits!  

    • New online ITKD store!
      • International Taekwon-do has just opened up a new online merchandise store. To check out their range and maybe order some new gear click here

    • Opportunity to become Wellington Regional Director!
      • DO YOU WANT TO BE THE WELLINGTON REGIONAL DIRECTOR? Mr Lourantos, after several years of dedicated service, has expressed an interest in stepping aside from his role as the Wellington Regional Director in Taekwon-Do. The role of Regional Director is up for consideration at this years AGM, to be held on Tuesday 28 Feb at 5.30pm at the offices of Team Talk in Wellington. The RD for the region works closely with Instructors and clubs, and the committee (Secretary, Treasurer etc) in running our region, and liases with the national body in terms of reporting, comms and development etc. You can conact Mr Tolley, Operations Executive, ITKD, for a job description if you want to. This role is an opportunity for any student in ITKD to take their involvement and interest to the next level. Please ask your instructor for a nomination form if you are interested. You do not have to be in a senior black belt at all. You do have to have enthusiasm, energy and a love of International Taekwon-Do. And you do have to have an interest in our region and in continuing to grow, develop and promote ITKD for all current and potential students. If you are interested please talk to your Instructor. You can also contact Mr Lourantos, or any other senior, for a confidential discussion regarding your capacity to undertake the role. We look forward to receiving your nomination!

    • Successful beach training!
      • Spirit's Lyall bay beach training has just finished and it was a complete success! We had a big turn out of about 30 people who all came to brave the cold and the wind and to have some fun doing TKD out on the beach. We began with a quick jog and pattern to warm-up, followed by a series of fun and challenging games, including sumo wrestling, piggy back shoulder tag, tug of war and more. Towards the end of the training it was time to get wet. We all lined up along the beach to do line work all the way into the sea, then (courtesy of Mr. Burns) did some press-ups and sit-ups in the water. By the final form up and bow everyone was soaked and sandy but I think we all enjoyed the training and were looking foward to our warm showers and baths. Thank you to Mr. Burns for an awesome training.

    • 2011 Wrap-up
      • Hi All Well 2011 has come to an end for Spirit Taekwon-Do. I just wanted to send out a quick message thanking everyone for making Spirit what it is. To the members: you are Spirit Taekwon-Do. By turning up to training week after week and working your hardest every time you step in the dojang door, you help to make Spirit a strong organisation. Your determination, perseverance and great attitude will over time bring you the true benefits of Taekwon-Do. Set your goals for 2012 and beyond, keep up the hard work, try and stay in some sort of shape over Christmas, and we’ll see you back again in the new year! To the instructors: without you guys there would be nothing. Thank you all again for your devotion to Spirit and to Taekwon-Do. I can only hope that you are getting everything out of instructing that I said you would when I was encouraging/cajoling/threatening you to take up instructing. Make sure you also set your personal goals for 2012. Not all of us can have a focus on grading, so if grading is out for you... what is it that’s going to excite and motivate you? You do such a great job of motivating and encouraging the students, but don’t neglect yourselves! To the committee: I was very remiss at the BBQ tonight not to thank you guys publicly. The amount of work you have put in this year has been awesome, and there have been some really fantastic successes. Not the least of which was gaining thousands of dollars of funding from external sources, which is something I’ve been personally pushing Spirit to do since the day Spirit was born. Keep up the good work. I will again give special thanks to Ms Sarah Fisher who, as Treasurer, has a pretty tough job at times keeping us instructors in line. I’d also like to reiterate something that Master Davidson said to the instructors at the recent instructors conference, and Mr Ward also alluded to at the Kup grading. Please, make sure to thank the people in your life who make it possible for you to do Taekwon-Do. Whether it be a truly understanding partner or spouse, or your parents, or your children, or even your friends... they deserve to be acknowledged for the part they play. What’s coming up? First official Spirit training back is at Kelburn on the 9th January. You are all welcome. A beach training is planned for January. Keep an eye out for more info on that. It’s also likely that there will be a beginners class in January so if you know anyone who is keen get them to register for that on our website. Ms Chan and I are currently planning “Spirit Fit” so watch out for more details on that. It’s about getting fit for Taekwon-Do, and will be open to everyone. There is a National Camp in March 2012, so make sure you register for that. An entire weekend of Taekwon-Do, with our most senior Masters instructing. Have a great break everyone, and we’ll see y’all in 2012. Cheers Brett Kraiger, IV Dan Head Instructor Spirit Taekwon-Do

    • Mr Malcolm Doidge promoted to II Dan
      • A big congratulations to Mr Malcolm Doidge who has successfully graded to 2nd Dan Black Belt. The grading was held 10th - 11th December at Onslow College, and there were 31 people testing for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Dan. The black belt grading runs over two days and is a very comprehensive test of all areas of Taekwon-Do. No stone is left unturned in the assessment of the candidates. Mr Doidge made a huge effort in the lead-up to the grading, with many hours of extra training and fitness preparation. Passing a black belt grading is all about preparation, and Mr Doidge definitely showed the way! Well done to Mr Doidge! See photos here

    • Ms Louise Chan promoted to IV Dan
      • Ms Louise Chan, one of the instructors from Spirit Brooklyn, successfully graded to her IV Dan black belt at the ITFNZ Instructors Conference in Wellington on 2nd December in Rotorua. There were 13 people grading in total, including 3 going for VI Dan, 2 for V Dan and 8 going for IV Dan. The examination was done partly in private, with a 4 hour closed session, and culminated in more than 2 hours of testing in the public session, watched by a high number of instructors from throughout New Zealand. All areas of Taekwon-Do were tested, and at all levels of the syllabus - ranging from white belt all the way up to 3rd Dan requirements. IV Dan is considered a very significant milestone in your Taekwon-Do career, being the point at which you are officially recognised by the international organisation as an Instructor. Ms Chan has put in an enormous amount of work for this grading, starting more than 6 months ago with the first of her monthly fitness tests. On top of all the fitness work she has been doing, there have also been a lot of extra trainings, including early mornings three times a week and even Friday nights. Ms Chan truly deserves her promotion to IV Dan, and her dedication and application to her preparation for grading is an example for all of us to follow. Well done Ms Chan!

    • Spirit AGM - New Committee
      • Sunday May 22nd saw the AGM of the Spirit Taekwon-Do Group take place at Vogelmorn Hall. This was an historic meeting because, in recognition of the fantastic growth of the group over the past few years, the committee was substantially expanded. The committee now includes the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and one representative from every school. This expands the committee from the three current members to eight members. And new committee members will be added as the group expands further. The committee is now: President: Mr Andy Hardwick Secretary: Mr Kieran Martin Treasurer: Ms Sarah Fisher School Representatives: Mr Gabriel Molina (Newlands), Mr Kendall Grieg (Thorndon), Ms Vasti Venter (Karori), Ms Sonja Bimler (Brooklyn Kids), Mr Andy Jones (Brooklyn) Special thanks was extended to the outgoing Secretary, Ms Anne Greenwood, who has been the secretary since the inception of first Brooklyn Taekwon-Do Club Incorporated and then Spirit Taekwon-Do Group Incorporated. Ms Greenwood has been the rock behind the committee through its many changes over the years. The committee may be contacted by emailing committee@spirit.net.nz, or talking to your school representative.

Updated Feeds

Recently updated feeds from local organisations.