The term “Coach” has two meanings in the Irish Taekwon-Do Association (ITA). The first is, in line with government sports policy, a person who supervises another or others in physical activity. In this regard a coach may be a Master (VII-IX Dan), an Instructor (IV-VI Dan) or an Assistant Instructor (I-III Dan). The second meaning applied to the term coach within the ITA is the person/persons responsible for the identification, preparation, selection of the ITA Elite Athletes.

Mr. Stephen Cooley VI Dan, Mr. Niall Jones V Dan and Mr. Adrian Byrne V Dan currently form part of the ITF Ireland National Team Coaching Panel. As well as this the ITA annually elects coaching officers who are responsible for the development of coach education courses and represent the ITA at Taekwon-Do Advisory Board level

The benefit of ITA Coaching Policy is that all ITA instructors undergo government recognised coaching training to ensure that teaching remains up-to-date with best practice in relation to physical activity. ITA Coach training program is approved by the Irish Martial Arts Commission (IMAC) and the Irish Sports Council (ISC).

Furthermore to qualify as coaches all Irish Taekwon-Do Instructors must meet the following criteria;

• Minimum ITF I Dan Black Belt Certificate
• ITF Instructor Plaque Certificate
• Current First Aid Certificate
• Umpire Certificate (National “B Class” minimum)
• Garda Clearance Certificate
• Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in Ireland Certificate

ITA recommends that before commencing training at a martial arts club that prospective students should enquire about the above qualifications.

For further information on the ITA Coaching Courses please email coaching@taekwondo.ie