2010 Taekwondo

We practice WTF Taekwondo which is represented in the Olympics. Class is taught by Instructor Matt Stein who trained under GrandMaster Fred Lee in the 1970's in London and GrandMaster Dung LeVan from 1980-90's in Bristol. Students from as young as 5 can start their training. The classes are mixed in terms of age and grade with adults training alongside children. The club is run on simple principles both old and new. The five tenets of Taekwondo: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control and Indomitable Spirit are taught. Matt's approach is serious but not overly strict. The focus remains on technique and practical application of self-defence. It is intended that through repetitive training, the skills and techniques required to defend oneself will be learned. The addition of competition sparring sharpens the reactions and helps to refine technical skills. Not all students want to fight so in this modern era of martial arts they too are accommodated. There are many aspects of martial arts and not all are about fighting. Some students come to boost self-esteem and confidence. This can be achieved simply by participating and refining technical skills. One-step sparring and patterns are a good way to learn this. The Self-defence class has now closed and in it's place is the new Taekwondo Games class. This class is essentially for the younger students to channel their energy into a branch of the art form. The class will consist of an essential warm up of muscles and joints, followed by technical punches, blocks and kicking. This will lead onto a series of fun and lightly competitive games, some solo, others in groups. Light sparring can be done by those who want to. Congratulations to Rowan, Logan and Ava who all reached 3rd Dan grades in April 2022. They have all been shining stars throughout their training and now help in teaching too. They have become wonderful ambassadors to the club.