50 poom belts gathered at the National Training Centre on 22 April 2007 for the Sparring Programme.

The programme kicked off with an opening address by Mr. Milan Kwee, President of the STF. Among other things, Mr Kwee highlighted to the participants the importance of discipline. And that included giving the utmost respect to their parents.

Mr Kwee reminded the participants that they would not have the opportunity to develop themselves if not for the support of their parents. He pointed out that they were taekwondo exponents not only in the gymnasium. They were taekwondo exponents every day of the week. Therefore, they were expected to conduct themselves like true taekwondo exponents at all times.

The programme continued with theory which covered the winner’s mindset, the winner’s recipe, the concept of time and space, the elements of speed and more.   After that the participants learned the finer points of sparring position and practiced footwork and bodywork.

Before they were taught how to apply the various skills, the participants were evaluated on their techniques. While some needed corrections, many only required to refine their skills.

When the participants were asked if they enjoyed the session, the answer was a resounding “Yes!” When they were asked if they had benefited from the programme, the response was the same.

All parents who witnessed the training were visibly delighted with the programme. One parent said that the he was glad because the programme also inculcated in the participants the value of respect.

The programme ended with a presentation of achievement certificates by Mr Kwee to all the participants.

The Singapore Taekwondo Federation conducted a series of courses to equip poomsae referees with the use of the scoring instruments and enhance their understanding of the various poomsae movements. 23 referees had attended the training. 

They were

• Steven Soh
• Chin Khee Shin
• RA Jeyaraman
• Wong Liang Ming
• Lee Thiam Poh
• Lee Thiam Huat
• Sam Tan
• Tan Ching Teck
• Yeo Boon Thiang
• Terence Tan
• Michael Ho
• Sebastian Lee
• Ng Keng Boon
• Tan Tak Hua
• Joyce Lim
• Ma Wee Chern
• Merly Laperme
• Tan Lee Fong Girlene
• Tay Xiong Sheng
• Sherman Wee
• Chelsea Loo
• Chua Hong Sheng
• Kong Sin Yu

After some practice, the referees showed greater confidence and consistence in their judgement.

Their first assignment will be the National Inter-JC Poomsae Championships which would be held on 13 May 2007 at 9.00am at Bedok Sports Hall.

The Singapore Taekwondo Federation organizes the following courses, seminars, workshops, talks and briefings.

• National Coaching Accreditation Programme (NCAP) Technical or Taekwondo Coaching Course
• National Kyorugi Referee Course
• National Poomsae Referee Course
• Poomsae Coach Course
• Unarmed Combat Programme
• Kyorugi (Sparring) Programme
• Grading Preparation Programme
• National Kyorugi Referee Refresher Course
• National Poomsae Referee Refresher Course
• “Wired to Win” Workshop/Talk/Briefing

It is not always convenient for members of clubs affiliated to the STF to attend the activities. Therefore, the STF has brought the activities to the various clubs on request.

For example, the STF has conducted the Taekwondo Coaching Course at the Nanyang Technological University for their black belts. More recently, the STF ran an unarmed combat programme for poom belts at Chong Pang CC.

The reports on the two courses can be found on this website under the headlines ‘Coaching Course Draws Positive Comments’ (1 April 2007) and ’30 Awarded Unarmed Combat Certification’ (6 February 2007).

STF affiliates may request for any of the courses, seminars, etc to be held at their convenience if they have the required number of participants. One of the recommended activities for affiliate members will be the Grading Preparation Programme. As examiners will be dispatched to conduct it, affiliate members will be able to get all the answers they want on the promotion tests.

Interested affiliates may arrange for the various activities through Jolene or Theresa at 63451491 or by email tkdf@pacific.net.sg. 

A series of refresher course for all national poomsae referees will be organized at the National Training Centre.

It will be held as follows.

• 14 April 2007 (5 – 8 pm)  –  for Senior Examiners

• 15 April 2007 (9 – 12noon) – for Examiners
• 21 April 2007 (5 – 8 pm)    – for Special Poomsae Referees
• 28 April 2007 (5 – 8 pm) – for Poomsae Referees (1^st and 2^nd class)
• 5 May 2007 (5 – 8 pm) –  for Poomsae Referees  (3^rd and 3P class)

The objectives of the course are to teach referees how to use the electronic scoring system and ensure that they maintain their competency.

Poomsae referees who are interested in the course are requested to register with Jolene or Theresa at 6345 1491 one week before the commencement of their course.

As all special poomsae referees are expected to attend the course, they are exempted from registration.

The STF will appreciate it if members who read this article can pass the information to all poomsae referees they know.

The dress code is ‘dobok’.

32 participants in the Poomsae Coach Course understood the importance of repetition. They practiced their poomsae diligently before and during the course. Their effort was rewarded when they took the test at the end of the course.

All of them performed confidently and passed the course. With that the Federation had brought the total of qualified coaches to 256.

The course which was completed on 1 April 2007 saw the test being specially organized to encourage teamwork. Participants were grouped in threes. Each group would decide on the poomsae they wanted to perform for the test.

Going by their performance, teamwork was well and alive. They decided on the poomsae in quick time and practiced it immediately to synchronize their movements. During the test they showed that they had what it took to compete in a poomsae competition and win!

Mr Milan Kwee, STF President, witnessed the test. Being a technical man himself, he was quick to observe that some coaches were not wearing their belt properly. That was the only down side for some of the participants.

During debrief, Mr Kwee reminded the participants the importance of wearing not only clean uniform but also uniform of the right size. He said that they were role models to their juniors. Hence, they had to conduct themselves well.

Mr Kwee also urged the participants to further improve themselves by pointing out one another’s mistakes. Although the truth hurt, it would go a long way to making the participants better persons and exponents.

18 participants who did not attend the 1 April session were automatically considered to have failed to complete the course.