The ITF Ireland Taekwon-Do Team returned home from the AETF European Championships in Skovde, Sweden last weekend with an impressive haul of 18 medals, 5 gold, 7 silver and 6 bronze. Ireland finished 5th overall out of 29 countries. Well done to the squad of 29 ITA competitors, coaches, umpires, managers and the travelling supporters on their success. A full report will follow, however for now please follow this link for a day-by-day report: Irish ITF Taekwon-Do Team Facebook page

The ITA Board would like to thank the coaches (Mr. Stephen Cooley VI Dan, Mr. Niall Jones VI Dan, Mr. Adrian Byrne V Dan, Mr. Stephen Ryan V Dan, Ms. Fiona Gallagher-Payet V Dan, Mr. Darren Smith IV Dan and Mr. Paul King I Dan) and managers (Mr. Jack Sheehan II Dan and Ms Laura Cullen IV Dan) for their hard work in preparing the squad. The board would also like to acknowledge the work of our umpires at the event; Master Patrick O’Rourke VII Dan and Mr. Pat Barry VI Dan. During the championships the ITA were also represented at the AETF Congress by Master Kenneth Wheatley ITA President and Mr. Adrian Byrne ITA Director as well as Dr. Richard Aboud I Dan. Dr. Aboud attended in the capacity of ITF Anti-Doping and Medical officer and gave a brief presentation to the delegates in attendance about the role of the newly appointed ITF anti-doping committee and the responsibilities of each national federation in relation to anti-doping. During the congress the hosts for the next European Championships were decided with Italy being the hosts for 2014 and Scotland the hosts for 2015.

The next event for national team members will be the Black Belt Open on June 2nd in Kilkenny after which the squad for the World Championships will be announced. The training schedule in preparation for the World Championships will be announced in the near future.  

ITA would like to invite all Taekwon Do students over ten years of age, yellow belt and above, to the 2013 Taekwon-Do Summer Camp. This camp will involve training with national and international instructors from all over Ireland, as well as a special guest instructor to be announced soon. All accommodation and meals will be provided in this safe and secure venue. Last years camp attracted students of all ages and grades from across Ireland and we hope to build on this success for the 2013 camp. The camp will provide an opportunity to train in all aspects of Taekwon-Do with some of Irelands best instructors as well as fun activities and sports. As well as improving your physical skills this camp is a great opportunity to make new friends and have fun. The camp is suitable for kids, teens and adults and participants will be divided according to age, and level. 

Invite and information

Application form (individual)

Application form (club/group)

Poster

The next ITA examiners conference takes place on Sunday May 26th 2013 in the Bracken Court Hotel, Balbriggan, Dublin. Items for the agenda are now invited. This event is open to all 4th Dan and above in ITA. Advance registration is required so that we can properly plan the event. Please confirm your attendance by email ITA Secretary General, Mr. Stephen Ryan.

The ITA Board of Directors have sanctioned the purchase of an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) for our association. The board would like to thank Mr. Tim Forde VI Dan and Dr. Richard Aboud I Dan for their assistance and advise on purchasing this new piece of equipment. 

ITA has the pleasure of inviting you, on behalf of the Irish Taekwon-Do Association, to the ITA Black Belt Open Championships, which will be held in the Watershed Sports Centre (www.thewatershed.ie), Kilkenny, on Sunday June 2nd 2013. This competition will include pattern, sparring, special technique and power test and is for black belts aged 13-17 years and black belts 18 years plus. Please note that 1st Kups (black tags) may also compete in this event. 

Please email your entries to entries@taekwondo.ie no later than Friday, the 24th of May. All entries should be made using the ITA Black Belt Open excel spreadsheet. Entries will be confirmed by return of email (within 24 hours). If you have not received a confirmation email, your entries have not yet been received. Please note that this is a pre-registration only event. No entries will be accepted after the 24th of May. Completed hardcopy forms should be brought on the day of the event. Please remember that accurate information is the responsibility of the instructor and any errors, which require correction on the day, will incur a fine as detailed below.

Sparring will be run using a pool & requalification system, guaranteeing more bouts for all competitors in those categories. This event also forms part of the ranking system for national team but is open to all Taekwon-Do Associations.

Invite and information

Individual registration form (to be completed and given to club instructor)

Club entry form (to be sent to entries@taekwondo.ie by club instructor by Friday May 24th)

Poster