The Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) is putting a high premium in the development of ‘DO’ which is articulated in its pledge. Without ‘DO’, a taekwondo member cannot be complete. Therefore, the STF, which is responsible for the promotion of the art and sport, would be remiss if it fails to provide guidance for its members.

However, the STF will require the support, co-operation and understanding of club leaders, officials and coaches to produce taekwondo exponents worthy of the discipline.

As coaches and black belt holders serve as important role models for their students, it is imperative that they are able to not only recite the STF pledge but also appreciate its significance. In order to ensure that they are conversant with the pledge, it has been, and will remain as, part of the basic requirement for them when they participate in STF courses/seminars/workshops.

For clubs conducting supplementary promotion tests, the pledge will be recited by candidates to kick off the event. Club representatives may take the pledge on behalf of the candidates at the start of the grading.

The attachment list is only applicable for PA Taekwondo classes conducted by its registered Trainers and affiliated with STF.

Minimum Requirements

• 6th Dan
• National Kyorugi Referee (Class 1)
• National Poomsae Referee (Class 1)
• Poomsae Coach (Level 3)
• SG-Coach / NCAP Level 2
• More than 3 years of contribution to STF events and continuation of course conductor’s roles and duties

Display of Qualities

• Good Character
• Compassionate
• Strong communication skill
• Good Demeanors
• Patient
• Sense of ownership
• Approachable
• Leadership

All applicants / nominees will be subjected to evaluation by Singapore Taekwondo Federation’s Examiner committee and endorsed by Singapore Taekwondo Federation’s Technical Committee, approved by STF Board.

NATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

• Admission to the squads shall be by invitation from the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) or recommendations by the affiliates.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

• On admission, players shall complete the following forms:

– Player’s Personal Particulars Form
– Agreement for Nation Squad Trainees
– Player’s Goals
– Player’s Biodata

• They would be given a copy of the guidelines for the selection and training of national players and the squad training schedule.

TRAINING

• Squad members are required to submit the ‘absence from training’ form if they are unable to attend training.

• Squad members who are on spexTAG will have to submit the Annual Training Plan. The plan may be prepared with the assistance of the coach.

• For daily training, all squad members are expected to complete the ‘Today’s Training Commitment and Assessment’ form and the ‘Player’s Log’.

• Monthly feedback will be given by the coach and the players.

OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT

• National players may be asked to sign the letter of undertaking to diligently serve and assist the STF in any capacity and/or any duration deem fit and proper at the request and sole discretion of the STF.

• All national players shall sign the letter of disclaimer and indemnity before departure and be given a copy of the players’ code of conduct (overseas).

“We, the members of Singapore Taekwondo Federation, pledge that

·        we shall remain humble, honest and helpful at all times,

·        we shall respect our elders, parents, coaches, seniors and one another regardless of race, language, class or creed,

·        we shall believe in ourselves and persist no matter how great the challenge to achieve our noble aspirations,

·        we shall develop our characters, qualities and abilities to serve our community and our country and

·        we shall abide by the rules and regulations of taekwondo and the laws of Singapore.”

The code of ethics outlines the fundamental behaviour expected of a coach.

As a coach, you should be committed to the code of ethics. If you are not, you have no business to be in coaching. Therefore, when you take up a coaching position, you pledge to

act in the interest of the participants by

• respecting the rights of everyone regardless of race, language, religion, sex or physical ability,
• executing your programmes effectively,
• carrying out the duty of care you owe them conscientiously,
• following current and approved practices,
• encouraging them to abide by the principles of fairplay and sportsmanship which include observing the rules of the sport, respecting opponents and officials, accepting referees’ decisions and maintaining dignity under all circumstances,
• elevating their self-image by showing acceptance offering specific praise, giving personal attention, emphasising self-responsibility and having positive expectation, and
• respecting confidential information of participants;

act responsibly by

• striving to be well-prepared and current through continuous personal development,
• recognising your limitations,
• making your training fees, programmes and commitments known,
• preparing sound, safe and fun programmes,
• using your privilege of authority for the benefit of your participants, and
• maintaining respectable relationship with participants to avoid allegations of sexual misconduct or impropriety;

act with integrity by

• maintaining the hightest standard of professional behaviour and personal conduct and appearance,
• representing your coaching qualifications and experience accurately,
• having a cordial relationship with other coaches through co-operation and open communication,
• observing the principles of fairplay and sportsmanship,
• begin honest about what you believe your participants can achieve, and
• referring participants to appropriate coaches if they will not benefit from your programme or ‘experise’.

1.   Objectives of Selection Policy

1.1 The objectives of the selection policy are

• to ensure that the best available players represent Singapore or the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF);
• to provide fair and transparent guidelines; and
• to give clarity to the standard selection criteria adopted by the STF.

2.    Selection Committee Guidelines and Membership Requirement

2.1  Selection Committee Guidelines and Membership Requirement  All members of the national squad (applicable to kyorugi and poomsae squads) and affiliates shall be informed of the selection dates and tournaments in accordance with the  STF’s plan through its website. The time frame of the notice will depend on the availability of information from the tournament organizers.

2.2  In the interest of selecting the best to don national colors, all members including those who are not registered with the national squad, shall be eligible to participate in the selection trials.

2.3 The following shall be invited for selection.

• Players on spexTAG
• Players recommended by affiliates
• Players identified by ‘scouts’ during various tournaments and gradings
• Players upgraded from the development squad

National squad members who are not able to participate in the selection trial because of medical or other valid reasons will be given an alternative date. This is subject to the registration requirement of the tournament.

2.4  Players with potential and talent, who have not previously gone through the preliminary selection trials, may be invited for the final selection trial on the recommendation of the national coaches.

 2.5  Players must be members of clubs affiliated to the STF, a citizen of the Republic of Singapore, a holder of the World Taekwondo Federation Global Athlete Licence and Kukkiwon certificate.

3.    Selection of Criteria

3.1  The selection is based on competition-style sparring. In addition to this, the following will be taken into consideration.

• Attitude and behavior;
• Current skill level and fitness;
• Level of commitment and attendance;
• Potential for future development and investment; and
• Ability to demonstrate team spirit and work well with team mates.

4.    Players’ Requirements

4.1  Players, who are not national squad members, shortlisted for any final selection trial must meet the training requirements to be eligible for the trial.

4.2  Registered national squad members, who undergo year-round training, may apply for

• 2 weeks study leave prior to the first examination paper and during the examination period and a maximum of 5 days for test/assignment/projects;
• a maximum of 2 days leave of absence per month to attend to personal matters; and
• to train before or after the official training hours if they are involved in part-time educational courses or shift duties. The number of self-training hours must be equivalent to or more than the official training hours. These sessions must be endorsed by the national coaches or trainers.

4.3 Progress feedback including prospect of selection will be provided regularly. Unsuitable candidates for the national team will be advised to opt out of the squad or may be dropped.

4.4 Candidates with disciplinary problems will be warned, suspended or expelled from the squad in accordance with the gravity of the offence.

5.    Selection Process

5.1  The Management Committee shall decide on the number of selection trials for each tournament, especially for major events, ie SEA Games, Asian Games, Youth Olympic Games, Olympic Games, Asean Championships, Asian Championships, Commonwealth Championships and World Championships.

5.2  The Management Committee shall appoint the panel of selectors based on the level of competition.

5.3  The panel of selectors will comprise any 3 of the following senior technical members.

• Mr Lim Teong Chin
• Mr Steven Soh
• Mr RA Jeyaraman
• Mr Tan Cheng Hui
• Mr Lee Thiam Poh
• Mr Tan Kok Heng
• Ms Wong Liang Ming

5.4 The selectors must be prepared to justify and be accountable for their decisions.

5.5 The names of the selectors will be announced together with the released date of the selection trial through the STF official website.

5.6 The panel of selectors shall submit its recommendations under the following categories to the Management for consideration by the first Management Committee meeting immediately following the trial.

• Category A (fully sponsored by STF)
• Category B (50% sponsored by STF)
• Category C (No sponsorship)

5.7  Players who are not placed in any of the above category will not be allowed to compete in the tournament.

5.8  There will not be any reimbursement for players under Categories B and C even if they return with a fighting medal.

5.9  The number of players to be fielded under the respective categories will be decided by the Management Committee. Players may be upgraded or downgraded at the discretion of the Committee.

5.10 If time does not permit, the President, the Secretary and the Coaching Chairman shall decide on the recommendations.

5.11  Candidates will be informed of the results of the selection trial through the STF official website. Those who are aggrieved at the decision may appeal to the Management Committee for reconsideration within 3 days of the announcement of the results.

6.     Appeals Committee and Process

6.1  Appellant shall be required to pay a fee of S$150.00 which will be forfeited if the appeal is found to be unmeritorious or frivolous.

6.2  If the appeal is urgent, the President, the General Manager and one technical representative will be appointed by the Management Committee to look into the appeal.

6.3  The result of the appeal will be made known through the STF official website.

6.4  A re-selection shall be conducted by the selectors if the selection process was not adhered to.

7.    Other Matters

7.1 The Management Committee reserves the right to modify, amend or alter the above criteria or waive compliance therewith, at its sole discretion, if such steps are in the interest of the sport.

8.    Enquiry

8.1  For clarifications and concerns regarding the selection policy, the contact point is as follows.

• STF General Manager
  stkdf@mail.com