Another year draws to a close and this is our annual opportunity to thank you all for your dedication and commitment throughout the year, to reflect on all that we have achieved as a school and to look forward to all that is to come.

CHRISTMAS PARTY
A big thank you to everyone who came to the party last Friday, we hope that you enjoyed the evening as much as we did. Numbers were lower than last year which will mean that we will have to reconsider whether we hold a joint party next year or make a return to an adult’s only meal and junior’s party. Please let us know your thoughts on this.

STUDENTS OF THE YEAR
The senior student for this year is Max Burton. Max has earned the award because of the help he gives every week with the Tigers, he manages to train regularly – despite getting up at a ridiculous hour of the morning – and for working so hard for his gradings. I know that he starts to work for the next grading as soon as he has received his belt; some good advice for everyone!!
The Junior Student of the Year Award has been given to Leila Bracken. Leila is an enthusiastic, hard-working student and has always been a pleasure to teach – keep up the good work.
Tiger of the Year for 2011 goes to James Cox. James is the longest serving tiger that we have ever had and his smile never fails to brighten my day. He trains regularly, works hard, is incredibly kind and thoughtful and is an inspiration to all of the other Tigers.

BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
On the 27th November, the British Championships were held in Telford. We only had Sapphy competing, but are delighted to say that she came away as double British Champion for both patterns and team sparring. She completed her triumphant day with a third in individual sparring. We are very proud of this achievement as the TAGB is the largest single martial arts organisation in Europe, so to be British Champion is really something.

UPCOMING EVENTS
South West Championships – 25th February 2012. This event will be held at Salisbury Leisure Centre and is open to all grades and ages from 9th kup and above. It will be a much smaller event than the national championships and is a good place to gain experience if you are competing for the first time. Please see Mrs. Daniels for an entry form.

JUNIOR AND ADULT SUMMER CAMPS
The dates and application forms for this year’s TAGB Summer camps are now available. The camps are a great opportunity to meet with other members of the TAGB and to get some training with the highest ranking instructors in the South West. The Junior camp will run from Friday 10th August until Sunday 12th August and will cost £70.00 which includes the cost of all activities throughout the weekend and the adult camp is for the week from 28th July 2012 until 4th August 2012 and will cost £85.00. Please see Mrs. Daniels if you are interested and would like an application form.

GRANDMASTER C.K. CHOI 9TH DAN SEMINAR

Grandmaster CK Choi was the first ever taekwondo world champion and was the man who created pattern Gae Bek. He is a strong supporter of the TAGB and is conducting a series of seminars across the country. The South West leg is being held on 3rd March 2012 at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre at a cost of £25 per student. There will be sessions for coloured belts (aged 12 and over) and for black belts. Places are limited and are likely to sell out quickly so, if you would like to take part in this, please contact Mrs. Daniels with your payment as quickly as possible.

BLACK BELT NEWS
Umpires Part 1 – 14th January 2012 at Willenhall Community Centre. Cost is £50 and forms and payment will need to be with Mrs. Daniels before the Christmas holiday.
Umpires Part 2 – 15th January 2012. The cost and the venue for this are the same as the umpires course above. Same closing date for entries, please.
Black belt patterns course – 22nd January 2012 at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre.

Finally, we would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Taekwondo-filled New Year. Turkey busting training will restart on Wednesday 4th January 2012!!!

Karen and Ian Daniels

 

Welcome to Tiverton TAGB Taekwon Do

Tae kwon do is characterized by the extensive use of high standing and jump kicks as well as punches and is practiced for sport, self-defence, and spiritual development. Training in tae kwon do is carried out by learning individual techniques of kicking, punching, and blocking, which are practiced in combined series of techniques in traditional sets known as hyung.  To the Korean people Tae Kwon Do is more than a mere use of skilled movements, it also implies a way of life.

Translated from Korean, Tae means to jump, kick or smash with the foot, Kwon means to punch, strike or smash with the hand and Do is art, method or way.