The Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) would like to beef up its youth training squad with more male and female players born in 1993 and 1994.
The invitation is open to all players who hold a green belt or higher awarded by the STF only. The STF does not recognize grades issued by other local organizations.
If you are a Singapore Citizen and eligible for the youth training squad and aspire to represent Singapore in the Youth Olympic Games in 2010, you should ask your coach to nominate you for inclusion into the squad.
Coaches are encouraged to nominate members with potential for the squad.
Members training in the squad continue to be members of their respective clubs. They have to observe their club rules and regulations pertaining to, but not limited to, the paying of fees. Members who cease to be members of their respective clubs will not be allowed to train in the squad.
More than 200 participants attended the New Poomsae Workshop held on Saturday 10 January 2009 at the National Training Centre.
Besides learning the philosophy embedded in the new poomsae, the participants were taught the goal of poomsae training and the steps to achieve the goal.
At the end of the session, all the participants were able to perform the two new poomsae for white belts, appreciate the movements and effectively help their trainees or juniors improve their performance. On top of this, the participants had a better picture of the grading and promotion systems and first-hand information on the latest changes to the General Syllabus.
The members were happy with the changes to the syllabus as they would allow candidates to perform better during the grading. They also felt that the new syllabus would give the candidates a higher chance of passing.
STF President Milan Kwee was present to open up both sessions. Among other things, he said: “The changes to the syllabus were the result of valuable feed back from coaches. We encourage and value the suggestions and opinions of its members.”
He went on to ask the participants to suggest ideas which would help the STF achieve greater heights.
In view of the overwhelming response for the workshop, coaches and black belts from J H Kim Taekwondo Institute had agreed to have their session on Saturday 17 January 2009 from 6.00pm to 7.30pm at their TurfCity Dojang. Black belts who have missed last week’s workshop may also join the session.
If you wish to attend the workshop at Turf City, please register by calling Jolene, Theresa or Rosalind at 63451491.
The application form for the workshop is attached.
The Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) Coaching Committee had to readjust the test schedule for the Taekwondo Coaching Course (Level 1) and arrange for another session for the Poomsae Workshop because of overwhelming response.
The Coaching Course attracted 84 participants. The examiners required at least 8 hours to complete the evaluation of all the candidates in their teaching competency. Six batches of 10 candidates took their tests on 3 and 4 January 2009. The remaining candidates would be tested on 11 January 2009.
For the Poomsae Workshop which aims to equip the participants with the knowledge to teach the two new poomsae for white belts, the STF received applications from 130 black belts (more applications are expected). As the National Training Centre is not big enough to accommodate all the applicants at the same time, the STF has decided to organize another session at 4.00pm on the same day – that is 10 January 2009 (Saturday). The second session will start at 6.00pm as scheduled.
Early applicants who wish to attend the four o’clock session may contact Jolene, Theresa or Rosalind at 63451491.
All examiners who have not registered are urged to do so immediately. The Coaching Committee will prepare the course materials only for those who are attending.
The STF would like to put on record its appreciation to all affiliates for encouraging their members to upgrade themselves. This augurs well for the future of taekwondo in Singapore. Taekwondo students can expect quality guidance and instructions from STF coaches. And the STF is proud of it!
The poomsae coach course held on Sunday 7 December 2008 attracted 26 participants. Only 22 out of the number made the grade.
The course was conducted by Tan Kok Heng, the Secretary of the Coaching Committee.
It covered what the coaches are required to know in order to help prepare their teams for poomsae competitions.
They learned not only the finer points of poomsae performances but also the common areas of weaknesses in which the judges would be looking out for.
Poomsae competitors who are trained by coaches who had gone through the course would certainly have an edge over their rivals who are guided by ‘unqualified’ poomsae coaches.
The following participants successfully completed the course.
14 players will board the plane for Hong Kong for the 13th Asian Cities Gold Cup Taekwondo Championships which would be held on 7 and 8 February 2009.
They were selected at the final trial held on 28 December 2008 at the National Training Centre.
The selectors – Mr Steven Soh and Mr Lee Thiam Poh – were so impressed by the outstanding performances that they decided to select almost all the candidates.
Said Mr Steven Soh: “They have shown vast improvement in their sparring standard. I hope they will continue to train hard so that they can reach a higher level and eventually win for Singapore in major tournaments.”
The results are as follows.
Senior
Weight Category
Male
Female
Fin
Jason Tan
Ong Tian Ling*
Fly
Benjamin Teo
–
Bantam
Muthiah s/o Ponmani
Denise Thong
Feather
Woon Yong Chuang*
–
Junior
Weight Category
Male
Female
Fin
Keith Ong
–
Fly
Wesley Ong
Tio Jia Xin
Feather
Goh Jun Jie
–
Light
Jordan Tay
Geraldine Quek*
Middle
–
Tessa Tang**
Heavy
–
Jacqueline Quek
* Subject to their agreement to continue fulfilling their training requirement after the competition.
** Subject to her being effective in more than 1 technique.
Instead of the usual shouts which accompanied kicks and punches, screams were heard at the National Training Centre on 26 December 2008.
No, no one was tortured or badly injured.
It was that time of the year when members of the training squad and the Assisi warriors celebrated Christmas at the place they sweat to prepare their mind and body for battle. They were joined by their family members and members of the Management Committee including Mr Milan Kwee, President of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF).
To the adults at the party, it was fun just watching the children having the time of their lives. Some of them were sporting enough to participate in the games which were created by the organizing committee comprising members of the training squad.
In the past, such event was organized for them. But this time, the Welfare Committee decided to leave it with the young ones to develop their leadership potential.
Muthiah s/o Ponmani, headed the organizing committee. He and his members – Tessa Tang, Jason Tan, Keith Ong, Michelle Ong and Wesley Ong – did very well. It looked like they had a permanent job.
Said Mr Kwee: “The party was well-organized. I am happy that the organizing committee proved worthy of the trust given to them by the Welfare Committee.”
The next event, the Chinese New Year Celebrations, would be held on 30 January 2009 at 7.30pm at the National Training Centre. All affiliate coaches are invited. Please confirm your attendance with Jolene, Theresa or Rosalind at 6345 1491.
As your confirmation is required for us to arrange the catering and other logistics, we will deem that you will not be attending the function if we do not hear from you by 20 January 2009.
On 17, 19 and 22 December 2008, 30 young taekwondo exponents from Acme TKD, J H Kim TKD, Maris Stella TKD Club, Valour TKD and Woodlands TKD participated in the inaugural Youth Training Camp. The activity was inspired by the Youth Olympic Games 2010 and organized by the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) Youth Development Committee.
The course conducted by a team of volunteer coaches headed by Santos Rivas, Chief Instructor of J H Kim and supervised by Wong Liang Ming, STF Coaching Committee Chairman, saw the enthusiastic participants not only enjoying themselves but also giving of their all to get optimum benefits from the camp.
The training programme included sparring fundamentals – for example, attacking and counter-attacking tactics, feinting techniques and match strategies. Besides learning and refining their sparring skills, the participants performed interesting but challenging conditioning and flexibility exercises. They also had their first experience of being tested physically and mentally. The tests measured, among other things, their cardiovascular fitness, upper and lower body strength, speed and reflexes.
That was not all. The participants had lots of fun playing the various exciting games while learning not only to be fast and accurate but also to be smart. The activities helped them understand the way to gaining competitive advantage.
All of the participants agreed that the camp had taught them the importance of discipline, hard work and dedication in their quest for success in the sport. They were also very happy for the opportunity to make new friends and learn many new and practical techniques which they could apply in their sparring.
Mr Milan Kwee, STF President, rounded off the camp by thanking the participants’ parents for their support and presenting certificates of appreciation to the coaches and certificates of participation to every participant.
The participants also went home with a set of brand new uniform each. The uniforms were partially sponsored by Liang Seng Sports Equipment.
Officials will be contacting eligible participants identified during the camp for follow-up training and shortlisting for the Youth Olympic Games 2010.
All young taekwondo members who aspire to represent Singapore are encouraged to attend future camps where players are identified for development.
Participants
1. Goh Jian Qi Keefe 2. Carissa Jee 3. Lau Wei Qi Felicia 4. Loh Cheng Jun Nicolas 5. Phua Xiong Wen Ryan 6. Seah Yang Wui 7. Sophus E. Ottem Lie 8. Su Li Wey 9. Teo Tze Hau 10. Yap Bao Hong Daryl 11. Yue Jie 12. Aiken Lam 13. Ng Ming Wei 14. Chang Ern Chi 15. Chang Ern Rae 16. Chang Tsin Jer 17. Lee Jia Zhe Christopher 18. Tan Jun Jie Nigel 19. Tan Ying Xuan Nichelle 20. Tan Zhi Yu Nicole 21. Wira Affandi Teo 22. Tan Jun Wei 23. Brenda Koh 24. Phang Yong Xin 25. Phang Yong Kang 26. Speed Lim Kai Peng 27. Megan Ho 28. Josua Lin 29. Kylynn Goh 30. Sia Chin Jin
Instructors
1. Santos Rivas 2. Lai Han Seng 3. Lee Seung Man 4. Son Myeong Du 5. Woo Mei Teng 6. Baek A Ryong 7. Pang Hon Liong
(The article is contributed by Arlene Rivas, Youth Development Committee Chairman and the pictures are taken by Kevin Ho.)
Two poomsae, Combined Basic Movements for White 10 and Basic Taegeuk for White 9, will be replaced next year by Introductory Taegeuk and Preliminary Taegeuk respectively.
Following feedback from Ng Hwa Ann, STF Grading Chairman and several coaches that the white belt poomsae are difficult to teach especially to children below 6 years old, Lim Teong Chin, STF Chief Examiner, created the two new poomsae and presented them to the other senior examiners – Steven Soh, Chin Khee Shin, RA Jeyaraman, Wong Liang Ming and Tan Cheng Hui – for their consideration.
All of them agreed that the poomsae are not only easy to teach and learn but also more meaningful. For example, the first pattern ends with a ‘kihap’ while adopting the ‘kyorugi chunbi’ position to promote preparedness, courage and confidence
If you want to have a thorough understanding of the two new poomsae and learn the steps, you should attend the course which will be held as follows.
Date : 10 January 2009 (Saturday)
Time : 6pm to 7.30pm
Venue : National Training Centre
Dress Code : ‘Dobok’
Fee : $10.00
Registration : Only members who have registered will
be allowed to participate in the course
Closing Date : 5 January 2009 (Monday)
During the course, brief information on the inter-school competitions and the different types of grading syllabi will be also provided.
All club coaches are encouraged to attend the session. The application form for the course is attached.
1 December 2008 was a red-letter for some of the Assisi Taekwondo Warriors. It was a day they did their parents and for some both their parents and grandparents proud.
The Warriors demonstrated their taekwondo skills at the ‘Christmas at the Assisi Hospice’ and entertained an appreciative crowd.
Among the spectators were Mr Hri Kumar Nair, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, the Guest of Honour, Mdm Ho Ching, Patron of Assisi Hospice and Mr Khoo Chow Huat, CEO of the Hospice. As the Warriors’ parents and grandparents watched the children performed, they could not help but feel a glow of pride seeing what they had achieved.
For the Warriors, they were just having fun showing off their kicking and punching skills. They broke planks using various techniques including the more difficult multiple kicks.
Most of the Warriors were performing for the first time! What’s more, a few of them had less than 6 lessons. Despite that, they managed to entertain the crowd and draw thunderous applause.
