In view of the importance of mouth guards in cushioning blows that might otherwise cause broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw, the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) has made it compulsory for all contestants to use mouth guards for competitions with immediate effect.
The colour of the mouthpiece must be white or transparent. Exemption from the use of the mouthpiece will be granted only if a medical doctor certifies in writing that it may cause harm to the contestant.
The mouth guard worn by participants must be resilient, tear-resistant and comfortable. It should fit properly, durable, easy to clean and not restrict breathing. STF official supplier, Liang Seng Sports Equipment, carries stock of the mouthpieces.
Members may purchase the mouthpieces direct from the Company or through their respective coaches.
Coaches are advised to get their competitors used to the mouthpiece early. They may also encourage their other participants engaging in free sparring to wear it.
Please note the revised dates for the Poomsae Coach Refresher Courses for the various coach levels. Corrections had been made to the posting on 27 December 2007.
For your convenience, the relevant information is reproduced below.
Course
Day/Date/Time
Participants
A
Sunday 13 January 2008 (9am to 12noon)
Senior Examiners
B
Saturday 19 January 2008 (5pm to 8pm)
Examiners
C
Sunday 20 January 2008 (9am to 12 noon)
Levels 3 & 2 Coaches
D
Sunday 20 January 2008 (2pm to 5pm)
Level 1 Coaches
E
Saturday 26 January 2008 (5pm to 8pm)
Level 1 Coaches
The new dates for the various coach levels are more logical as the seniors must attend the course before the juniors.
If you do not have a poomsae coach qualification, here is your chance to obtain one. The course will be conducted as follows.
Date : Sunday 27 January 2008
Time : 9am to 5pm
Place : National Training Centre (NTC)
Dress Code : ‘Dobok’
Certification : Poomsae Coach Certificate (Level 1 or 1P)
Fee : $50
Closing Date : Tuesday 22 January 2008
The course will cover theory and practical. For theory, you will learn, among other things, the principles of movements. You will go through Taegeuk Il-Jang to Poomsae Koryo for the practical session. After that you will be required to take both the theory and practical tests for your qualification.
You will require the qualification to be a coach for your performers at the poomsae competition. What’s more, the knowledge you acquire from the course will be invaluable to your understanding of the sport.
We recommend that you attend the course if you do not have the poomsae coach qualification yet.
A number of modified movements and new principles have been introduced during the 2nd World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in November 2007.
In order to keep our poomsae coaches updated and give them a better understanding of poomsae performance, a series of refresher courses will be organized to cater to the different levels of coaches.
The details are as follows.
Course
Day/Date/Time
Participants
A
Sunday 13 January 2008 (9am to 12noon)
Senior Examiners
B
Saturday 19 January 2008 (5pm to 8pm)
Examiners
C
Sunday 20 January 2008 (9am to 12 noon)
Levels 3 & 2 Coaches
D
Sunday 20 January 2008 (2pm to 5pm)
Level 1 Coaches
E
Saturday 26 January 2008 (5pm to 8pm)
Level 1 Coaches
The course will cover Taegeuk Il-Jang to Poomsae Taebaek. This is also a good opportunity for you to revise the poomsae if you have not been practicing. However, it is important for you to know the latest if you are preparing your participants for the 2008 Poomsae Championships – National Inter-College and National Tournament.
Training will be conducted in dobok. Parking is free for those attending the Sunday session.
The application form is attached. The completed form and the course fee of $15 must reach the Secretariat 4 days before the commencement of the course.
Certificates of participation will be awarded for coaches who successfully complete the course. The hours chalked up in the course is recognized as NCAP coach continuing education.
For more information on the course, you may contact Jolene or Theresa at 6345 1491.
In response to requests by some coaches, we attached the relevant forms to help them kick off their attachment and record their coaching dates.
However, if coaches prefer, they may ask their club management or chief coach to confirm that they have completed their obligations at the end of their attachment.
We would like to remind coaches to inform their members that conversion from poom to dan is not automatic. Poom belt holders must apply for dan conversion through their respective club coaches.
Coaches must ensure that the applicants have the standard of a dan holder before endorsing their applications.
It can be assumed that poom belt holders who have stopped training for an extended period do not have the standard. For example, a 17-year poom belt holder cannot be still good if he has not been training for more than six months. Therefore, coaches must insist that they train for a period before recommending them for the conversion.
Please also advise your members to apply for dan conversion on reaching the age of 16. If they apply later, they will be at a disadvantage if they want to go for their next grade because the time frame for their next dan will start from the date of issue of their dan certificates.
It is important that your members know about the ruling to avoid any misunderstanding in future.
Players from the national training squad and their ardent supporters, their parents and siblings, congregated on 21 December 2007 at the National Training Centre. They were there not to compete for a place in the national team but to have fun.
The event: Annual X’mas Gathering.
The function was for members of the national training squad and their families. Its primary objective was to provide an opportunity for participants to interact and strengthen their bond of friendship in a social environment. This is part of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation’s strategy to develop team spirit among its members and their families.
Said Mr Milan Kwee, President of the Federation, in his brief address: “I am delighted to see members of different clubs coming together for the function.”
He added: “I wish to see more parents helping the Parents’ Committee headed by Mr. Darren Tang. By helping the Committee, you are contributing to the development of the sport and the Federation.”
While the children were enjoying themselves playing games, watching movies, exchanging gifts, their parents were busy engaging in small talks. The only time they were one was when they dig into the food. Some of the food was specially cooked by members’ parents. The others were sponsored by the Parents’ Committee and the Federation.
Adding to the festive mood, Mrs Cindy Tan sportingly acted as Santarina. Everybody evidently had a great time!
The wet and dreary evening on 10 December 2007 failed miserably to dampen the spirits of those who were gathered at Assisi Hospice for its annual Assisi Christmas Light-Heart.
When the taekwondo warriors took to the stage, their energy and enthusiasm seemed to have been transferred to the crowd. The spectators spontaneously clapped to the rhythm of the music and became very lively and exuberant.
The spellbinding performances of the warriors drew waves of loud applause which galvanized them to demonstrate better than their best. Among their ‘fans’ was Mdm Ho Ching, wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is the patron of the Hospice. She was smiling and enjoying every moment of the demonstration.
Said Mr Milan Kwee, STF President who conducted the demonstration: “Based on the spectators’ response, Kenneth’s fun demonstration must be their favourite. But, without doubt, the warriors energized the crowd.”
Mdm Ho Ching later graciously obliged the warriors by taking a group picture with them. The photograph would no doubt be part of their proud record of having displayed their breathtaking skills to very important personages.
A week ago the warriors performed in front of Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Mrs Goh who were very impressed with their skills and standards.
To those who had seen the warriors, comprising children with cancer under the care of Assisi Hospice, in action, they are true real heroes!
The coaching course (Levels 1 & 2) retest for those who were unsuccessful in either the theory or practical test will be held on Saturday 12 January 2007 at 5.00pm at the National Training Centre.
Candidates for the practical test are required to bring along a new lesson plan which will be used as a basis of their examination.
For theory test, please read your notes and bring along your own writing materials.
If you are participating in the test, please register with Jolene, Theresa or Linda on or before Thursday 10 January 2007.
17 participants in the grading preparation workshop conducted on Sunday 9 December 2007 at the National Training Centre found it enriching, rewarding and enjoyable. In fact, some of them felt that the workshop was too short.
Said Tan Lai Koon: “The workshop is a bit too short. If there is more time, we can learn more.”
But Gay Jian Xian was satisfied. He said: “I am glad that I attended the workshop as I had learned quite a lot of things.”
Added Peter Lim: “I made the right decision to attend the workshop despite having to travel a long way to get here. It allowed me to fine-tune some of my weaker techniques and gave me the confidence to take my grading. Otherwise, I will be going for my grading blindly without knowing what to expect.
Not every one of the participants was there to prepare for their grading. Some of them were responsible coaches who were there to acquire the latest knowledge and skills to remain effective and relevant.
Leong Yun Yuet, who has been teaching for at least 20 years, said: “I will not be taking my grading any time soon. But I am here to improve myself for my students. I can help them better if I keep abreast with the latest development.
“Well, the workshop is good for me. Besides learning from the course conductors, I took the opportunity to clarify some doubts. I am now more equipped to guide my students.”
It was not surprising that the participants had benefited tremendously from the workshop as it was conducted by the taekwondo coaches who had an average of 30 years of experiences. They were Lim Teong Chin (Chairman, Board of Examiners), Steven Soh (Vice-Chairman, Board of Examiners), Chin Khee Shin (Senior Examiner), RA Jeyaraman (Senior Examiner), Tan Cheng Hui (Examiner) and Tan Kok Heng (Examiner).
To round off the workshop, participants were awarded a certificate of participation each for their effort.
Participants
Brilliant Sports Chan Dao Seong Chang Siew Huah Judson Tan Jimson Tan Yong Quan
Cheng San CC Loh Teng Heng
Jurong TKD Kang Kim Joo
Jurong Town TKD Ganesan s/o Sundaram
PAP Leng Kee Leong Yun Yuet
Sportif TKD Gay Jian Xin
St Teresa TKD Lee Kar Churn Eddie
Team Spectrum David Anthony Low Jun Jie Low Kai Wen
