ITF Ireland National Team

Here you will find information in relation to the ITF Ireland, National Taekwon-Do Team.

Current Coaching Team

Mr Stephen Cooley VI Dan

Mr Niall Jones V Dan

Mr Alan Troy V Dan

Mr Adrian Byrne V Dan

The Coaching and Management team for the 2010 European Championships is pleased to inform you of the following arrangements for the training and selection of the National Squad to represent Ireland in Sweden from 29th April to 1st May.

Selection process

Team and individual positions will be selected over four events using a combination of performance at training sessions and performance at the INTA Open.  Training sessions will include specific technical development in all disciplines and will provide all competitors with the opportunity to train with and learn from the coaching team.  Each selection session will take place over a weekend in order to maximise the opportunity to work with coaches and venues will rotate in order to minimise travel time for competitors.  Anybody considering trying out for the National Squad should be available on the following dates:

As the INTA Open is open to International competitors and has merged categories in some instances, the INTA Open will not function as a final trial but your performance at the event will be taken into account.  If the coaches deem it necessary to have a final trial between evenly matched competitors, they will do so on the weekend of 27/28 March.  The full squad will be named on Sunday 28 March.

The fee for the three weekend sessions is €75 which will be payable at session two.  This fee applies whether you attend one, two, or three weekend sessions.  We expect that if you are considering competing in Sweden that you will attend all three sessions.  Entry fees to the INTA Open must be paid directly to the organising committee

Preparatory sessions
Competitors who are named as part of the squad should be ready to make themselves available on the following dates.

10/11 April

17/18 April

24/25 April

28 April - Travel to Sweden

3 May - Return home

In addition to these sessions, we will be running supplementary sessions for junior competitors to coincide with the Easter school holidays.  The exact dates of these sessions will be confirmed during the coming weeks.
 

Although the preparatory sessions are targeted at competitors who will compete in Sweden, we would encourage as many people as possible to continue to attend as they will also serve towards the development of the squad to compete at the 2011 European and World Championships.

Costs
As well as the €75 fee for the three selection sessions, we estimate the costs of attending the Championships as follows

Flight                                                    325

Accommodation (5 nights @65)    325

Individual entry fee                            100

Coach                                                   50

Total                                                     €800

Please note that any competitors who are new to the squad will be required to purchase a National Team tracksuit and bag at a cost of approximately €140

As both the Swedish organising committee and the travel agent will require us to pay deposits in advance, we will require a deposit from all competitors wishing to be considered for selection.  This deposit will be payable at session two.  Competitors who do not wish to be considered for selection do not have to pay a deposit.  The exact amount of the deposit will be confirmed during the next week.  Competitors who are not selected will have heir deposit returned to them on 28 March when the squad is announced.

Paperwork and Logistics

For session two, all competitors must bring the following:
€75 fee
Passport
ITF Degree Card (photocopies are not acceptable.  If you do not have a copy of this card, please contact your National Secretary immediately)
Competitor Agreement signed by you, your Instructor and in the case of minors, your parent or guardian.  You will not in any circumstances be permitted to train without a completed Competitor Agreement.
Competitor application form and health check
Deposit - the amount will be confirmed during the next week.

Communications

All notices will be published on the websites of both the INTA and ITA.  In addition, we will send email updates directly to competitors.  Any instructors or parents who wish to sign up for these updates can do by contacting me directly.

Yours in Taekwon-Do
 
Kevin Hannigan, Director of Coaching