The last batch of 37 poomsae coaches attended the Poomsae Refresher Course on 26 January 2008 at National Training Centre. The total number of coaches, who had gone through the refresher course, stood at 121.

Being last was not so bad for some. It gave them the advantage of being prepared.

Some of them were evidently prepared for the course as they were not only aware of the changes but also able to perform them reasonably well. That spoke volumes of their interests. It also revealed the positive attitude of their seniors as they willing shared their knowledge with them.

Said Wong Liang Ming, Chairman of the Coaching Committee: “I am happy that the course had a successful run. Most of all, from the response to the course, I can take comfort that coaches from the Singapore Taekwondo Federation believe in upgrading themselves not only in words but deeds. I salute all of them.”

RA Jeyaraman, STF 2^nd Vice President, added: “To me, their willingness to learn reflects their determination to be the best coach that they can be. This is good because taekwondo trainees deserve nothing but the best not those who teach out-of-date techniques.

The list of participants who attended the final course is attached.

The Poomsae Coach Course held on 27 January 2008 at the National Training Centre attracted 75 black belts from 27 clubs. There was a good mix of young and not-so-young participants. While the youngest was 16 years old, the oldest participant was 55 years old.

eight-hour course, comprised both theory and practical sessions, was kicked off by Wong Liang Ming, Chairman of the Coaching Committee.

The theory component covered, among other things, competition rules and technical coaching points. For the practical session, the participants went through in detail the steps and movements for Taegeuk Il-jang to Koryo Poomsae.

Although the participants found the course mentally and physically exhausting, they were pleased with the amount of knowledge they had acquired. Mr Milan Kwee, President of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation, spoke to the participants on discipline which was an essential trait for all coaches. He wished them all the best for their tests.

The participants were tested by Chin Khee Shin, RA Jeyaraman and Tan Cheng Hui who assisted Lim Teong Chin in running the course.

The results are furnished in the attached file. If you are a participant and you cannot find your name, it means that you have failed both the practical and theory tests. You have to retake the whole course if you still aspire to be a poomsae coach.

However, if you fail either theory or practical, you have to retake the component on 3 February 2008 at 9.00am at the National Training Centre and pass it to achieve the qualification. The retest fee is $5 which you can pay on the test day. Please call Jolene or Linda at 63451491 to register for the retest.

Those who have passed the course may register for the National Poomsae Referee Course which was announced earlier.

On 11 January 2008, the senior examiners went through a three-hour poomsae refresher course at the National Training Centre. They were followed by 11 examiners and 70 coaches who updated their knowledge and polished their skills on 19 and 20 January 2008.

Like the senior examiners, the others who attended the courses learned about the latest development in taekwondo poomsae.

It was not all lectures. They had to perform 11 patterns while trying to adapt to the new movements, execution and body and arm positioning.

Said Jimmy Tay: “It is quite a challenge to remember the steps and at the same time make an effort to change to the way of executing the strokes.”

Tan Cheng Hui, an international poomsae referee, who was one of the course conductors commented that the participants were very impressive.

He said: “I noticed that the standard of the participants’ performances were quite good. They have certainly improved a lot since the last poomsae course. What’s more, they are able to adapt to the changes very quickly.”

Their students should be proud to know that their coaches are improving themselves for them. Displaying interest in their students, the coaches downloaded the powerpoint presentation to help them impart their newly acquired knowledge more effectively to their students.

With coaches who believe in self-development, the Singapore Taekwondo Federation can rest assured that the standard of the sport can only improve.

Chin Khee Shin, Steven Soh and RA Jeyaraman believe that in putting their money where their mouths are.

Despite their seniority in the sport, they continue to keep themselves abreast of the latest development. 

On 11 January 2008, they attended the Poomsae Refresher Course for Senior Examiners conducted by Lim Teong Chin who is a 1^st class International Poomsae Referee and has officiated in the 1^st and 2^nd World Poomsae Championships held in 2006 and 2007 respectively. The 3^rd World will be staged some time this year.

Said Chin: “We cannot tell our juniors what to do if we are not updated ourselves. I am glad to note that most, if not all, STF coaches are keen to learn the latest development in the sport.”

Just like the rest after them would do, the three taekwondo veterans went through both the theory and practical sessions which lasted three hours.

Lim said: “Poomsae competition has a short history. Therefore, it will take a bit of time for poomsae technical development to mature. In the meantime, there are still rooms for improvements. Coaches who do not continue to keep up with the latest will be left behind.”