Dear Grand Master, Masters and Instructors,

INVITATION TO THE 2016 ITF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

On behalf of ITF England, I am pleased to invite you and your students to the 2016 ITF England Championships which will be hosted on behalf of ITF England by Mr. J. Archer and T-UK. The competition will be held on Saturday 9^th July 2016 at Sports Connexion, Ryton On Dunsmore, Coventry. Entry is open to coloured belts and black belts who are members of ITF England.

Please find attached the official invitation from Mr. Archer which contains all competition details and application instructions. Also attached is a copy of the School Entry Form. This is a 2-page spreadsheet, for both competitors as well as umpires and coaches. A copy of the revised poster is also attached – please note the change of venue for the competition.

Entries should be emailed to Mr. Archer on ja.tkd@virgin.net by the deadline of Friday 1^st July 2016. All payment should also be made online by this date. All details can be found in the invitation.

If you have any queries regarding the competition, then please contact Mr. Archer in the first instance.

Yours in Taekwon-Do,

Mrs. Patricia Gray

Secretary

ITF England

Mail: info@itfengland.com

Web: www.itfengland.com

ITFE Champs 2016 Invitation -v7

ITFE National Tournament Rules V2-Final May 2016

ITFE Championships 2016 School Entry Form-v1

ITF Scotland 3 Masters Technical Seminar & Senior Degree Testing 

18 June 2016 

Dear Instructors and Candidates,

Please find enclosed details and forms in respect of the forthcoming IV degree and above, testing examination, to be held at the David McNairn Blackbelt Academy (DMBBA), 65 Baltic Street, Montrose, DD10 8ET. Saturday 18 June 2016.  The day will include a Technical Seminar and lunch shall be provided, followed by the practical examination, followed by the graduation ceremony and graduation meal (if required).

Timetable of Events: Saturday 18 June

09:00 – 12:00         3 Masters Technical Seminar reviewing, sparring technique, pattern, self defence, power test, and pre-arranged sparring Pt1.

Theory test for our candidate(s)

To be held at Montrose Sports Centre in the activities room

12:00 – 13:00         Lunch & theory re-sit if required.

13:00 – 15:00         3 Masters Technical Seminar reviewing, sparring technique, pattern, self defence, power test, and pre-arranged sparring Pt2.

Additional training on any part of the examination that the candidate(s) request, with one (or more) of the Masters in attendance.

15:00 – 15:30      Grading candidate(s), examiners and seminar participants move to DMBBA. (5 min walk)

15:30 – 17:00         Examination(s) (DMBBA)

17:00 – 17:30         Exam Evaluation (DMBBA)

17:30 – 18:00         Graduation (DMBBA)

18:00 – close        Graduation Meal (Optional and if applicable)

Please let your instructor know if you will be attending the graduation celebration meal.

The meal will be at the Peking Palace Chinese Restaurant, Forties Road, Montrose.

Notes:

• The technical seminar is open to all adults students white belt to blackbelt. For junior students it is recommended that only juniors of 6^thkup and above apply to take part in the course.
• Students should arrive for the seminar in a tracksuit or dobok and no jeans or casual clothing.
• The blackbelt examination is a closed door event with NOspectators. Only instructors and/or blackbelts of III Deg and above, will be allowed to stay in the dojang during the examination.
• All blackbelts and degree candidates MUSTarrive at the blackbelt degree test in official blackbelt attire (black/navy trousers, white shirt and navy tie), no tracksuits and no casual clothes.
• The exam result will be given on the day.
• Results will be withheld for those requiring to re-sit the theory test.
• The theory test must be re-sat within one week of exam.  Failure a second time will require the full exam to be retaken. 

Seminar fee: £25 per person

Applicant Notes – (all transactions to ITF Scotland must be electronic – no cash or hard copy)

• Payments can be made to instructor or paid directly to ITF Scotland Account. 09-01-28 (43740861)
• Please complete all forms electronically.
• Please supply e-photo (Dobok or shirt tie / 2cm x 2cm / in *jpeg format)

If there are any further questions or queries please do not hesitate to ask.

Master David McNairn VII Deg

Degree_Examination_Handout_2016

ITFS Master Seminar Application

Ravenscraig Regional Sports Centre, was the venue for the ITF Scotland National Championships on Saturday 9th April.

The event drew a record 504 competitors from 32 schools across Scotland and the North of England as well as a team from Ireland.

This year ITF Scotland invited guests of the newly formed government recognised Sports Scotland group (SCoT) of which ITF Scotland are members.  Senior Master Derek Campbell 8th Degree (UKTC) and Mr. Gareth McKenna both board members of SCoT attended, and presented medals to the winners throughout the day.  Grand Master MacCallum 9th Degree and President of ITF Scotland was also present at the event.

Competing Schools

ABC, Arbroath, Chimera, Churchwood TKD, Club Lee, Coatbridge, Dundee, Erskine, Firhill, Glasgow East, GMAC Livingston, GMAC Tollcross, GMAC Uddingston, GMAC Wishaw, Howden, I-Kick, Inspiration TKD, Inverness, Lochgelly, McGowan’s BBA, MHF, MSBA, Nairn, Northern Taekwon-Do Academies, Penrith, Pro-Edge TKD, Relflex, S.M.A.C., Scotia TKD, Shaw Martial Arts, South Queensferry, Whitburn Martial Arts

Congratulations to Northern Taekwon-Do Academies lifting the overall group trophy, and to McGowan’s BBA on winning the Mr. Timoney memorial shield for best school result.

We would like to thank everyone for their efforts throughout the day; the competitors who showed great sportsmanships during the competition, to the umpire’s for giving up their day to referee, and to the supporters for creating such a great and friendly atmosphere.

Results can be found here.

A selection of photo’s from the event can be found on our Facebook page.

Next years event will take place over two days on 25th & 26th February 2017.  Keep the date in your calendar.

On Friday 18^th March, three members of ITF Scotland travelled to St. Petersburg, Russia at the invite of ITF St. Petersburg, and the Russian Taekwon-Do Federation to the Northern Palmira Cup. This was a two-day event held in the new Nova Centre, in St. Petersburg town centre. The competition had over 900 entrants, across two days with a Grand Gala Final on the Sunday evening.

On arrival in St. Petersburg, the warmth of the hospitality and professionalism of the organisers, already overwhelmed us. Along with members from Israel, Ireland, Greece and Uzbekistan, we spent Saturday with Master Lazaros Tsilfidis and other distinguished guests on a sightseeing tour of what is an amazing city, full of so many wondrous and historic sights.

On Sunday we arrived at the arena and the level of professionalism was clear to see; a futuristic, state of the art venue with electronic scoring across all rings, four huge TV screens showing all events, and to top it off there was the Gala Final in the evening, with many special guests in attendance.

First competing was Miss Megan Brown, in Patterns, winning Bronze. Sparring saw her dominating, and taking Gold in a convincing final against Uzbekistan.

It was then time for the Gala Finals, and we were certainly entertained with many great fights, and a spectacle of shows in between bouts.   Mr. Iain O’Hare fighting in the first of the finals, and after a strong performance took Gold against a formidable Russia opponent.

Both competitors showed their skill, and took their wins convincingly. A great event and experience for both competitors in preparation for the European Championships in six weeks time, in Finland.

After the competition we were treated to a wonderful Russian banquet, and party, with some dancing, speeches and great friendship.

I would like to extend our thanks to Master Tsilfidis and his amazing team of young enthusiastic people he has on board. On behalf of my team, and ITF Scotland I thank you for the warmth, friendship and hospitality shown to us over the weekend. If your looking for an international event to gain experience, this should be a must on your calendar, 900 competitors, 2 days, very high standard, easy and affordable to access. We will be back for sure.

Mr. John McIlvaney

ITF Scotland Team Manager

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It’s just over a month since ITF Scotland hosted a full weekend of training for its member’s that included an Instructor’s Course, First Aid Training, Child Protection and PVG. Not wanting to let the grass grow under our feet we’ve added to that with our newly revised Umpires Course.

Preperations

The ITF Scotland Tournament & Umpire Committee held a meeting on the 16^th of January to discuss the future of the ITF Scottish Championships, primarily the scope and profile of the competition. It was decided that the championships needed to be opened up in the hope that over the coming years it will build to be one of the biggest competitions within the UK, with competitors from all across Europe. We have big plans for our national championships and in order to bring these to fruition some changes need to be made in the running of the event, the main stay of which would be the calibre of the Umpires in attendance.

Over the last couple of months the ITF Scotland Umpire Committee have been working hard on a programme that will see all Scottish Umpires attain a nationally recognised qualification. A level 3,2 or 1 depending on age, degree and experience (more about that later). This modular course is now complete and ready to be rolled out.

Umpires Course

The course took place at the GMAC Gym in Livingston with registration starting promptly at 8.45am. Master Gordon Wallace 8^th Degree opened the days proceedings by introducing the ITF Scotland Umpire Committee to all those in attendance, the committee consisting of himself includes; Master David McNairn 7^th Degree, Mr Mark Boydell 5^th Degree and Mr Ronnie Dewhurst 4^th Degree.

The day was divided into several parts that included both theory and practical elements.

Master Wallace started the day with an introduction to the National Championship’s and the updated umpire rules. He then went on to outline the duties and responsibilities of all Umpires and Officials before explaining the new ITFS Scotland Umpire Qualification Process.

Although the course was open to red belts and above starting at 14 years, the end game is to have nationally recognised full time Umpires. The course is modular in its design and qualification’s can only be attained by umpiring full time at an ITFS recognised tournament. These qualifications, Class 1,2,3 run parallel with the ITF Class A and Class B system. Each grade is acquired dependant on age, rank and the modules carried out during the running of a specified tournament. A qualifying umpire will not be permitted to compete at the competition and must carry out their assigned duties for the full duration of the day’s events*.

Master Wallace finished with Ring Organisation, Process, Admin and Equipment. Spending some time explaining the draw system and how to make late corrections and alterations. There was then a break for lunch.

The afternoon session started with the customary group photo then straight into pattern and pre-arranged free sparring. Master David McNairn took control of these elements explaining in great detail the updated scoring process, highlighting errors and how to make deductions when applicable.

Mr Boydell assisted by Mr Dewhurst stepped in to take next part of the course which covered all duties of the Centre and Corner Referees. Explaining the equipment checks, scoring system, how to start, control and finish sparring in the ring. There was a lot of practical work here with everyone getting on their feet to go thru varying scenarios to test their knowledge of the correct hand signals and terminology.

Back to Master McNairn and yet more practical work, covering ring etiquette, the correct procedure for umpires entering and leaving the ring, posture, demeanour and overall professionalism.

Sadly due to the enthusiasm shown by all taken part on the course and the open forum to ask questions and share knowledge and experience, the day was just not long enough. We had hoped to cover Power Test and Special Technique but these will have to wait for our next Umpires Course. ITF Scotland plan to hold further Umpire Courses each one tailored to different aspects of competition for those umpires wishing to specialize in a specific role, the modules are designed with this in mind. The course finished with a handout of the Umpire & Referee Qualification Module, the recipients will have the opportunity at the forthcoming ITF Scottish Championships to complete these modules and gain their qualifications.

Many Thanks to Master Gordon Wallace for putting together such a concise and thorough qualification process and module pack, also the course structure and PowerPoint display. Special Thanks to Master McNairn, Mr Boydell and Mr Dewhurst for their instruction, also to Tournament Committee Member Mrs Gillian MacIlvaney 5^th Degree for being such a gracious host.  Thanks as well to Mrs Jacqui Wallace 3rd Degree and Mr John Munro 4^th Degree for helping with the setup and preparation.

*If you would like more information on the Umpire & Referee Qualification Modules then please contact ITF Scotland or attend our next Umpires Course.

Mr Ronnie Dewhurst 4^th Degree

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ITF Scotland Board of Directors would like to welcome officially to the board, Mr. Paul Mullen 1st Degree.  Mr. Mullen takes up his role as Safeguarding Officer to ITF Scotland.  He will be liaising with instructors in the coming weeks with regards to PVG applications.

We’d like to wish Mr. Mullen success in his new post.