Welcome to the April / May news letter 2010.

There is a lot coming up in the world of Taekwon-Do!!!! This is going to be a very exciting couple of months.

Nationals Team Training:

Where:                                          Ji Shing Maraetai,              Maraetai School,                Maraetai Drive, Maraetai     Sunday afternoons 1.pm to 4.pm (due to Black Belt grading training will be at 10am on Sunday the 2nd May).

Tribal club                            Otahuhu Primary School Hall     41 Station Rd, Otahuhu Wednesday 6.30pm – 8.30 pm

You can compete in the Nationals from any age if you are 8th gup upwards (yellow belt). You will get very good training and learn lots. I have represented Counties Manukau at a number of Nationals over the years. I have made friends at the training and tournament that I still keep in contact with. Go to the training, work hard and have fun.

Counties Manukau Regionals:

Where – Wesley College Gymnasium.                           When – Sunday 23rd May, 2010

Enter Here – http://itfnz.org.nz/events/tournaments/regionals/cm/2010.htm

Our Regionals are the highlight of the year therefore I am expecting a 100% turnout from our club. Any age and any rank can enter in all or some of the following: patterns, sparring, specialty or power braking.

If for any reason you cannot compete i.e. you have a broken limb (!) you can be a helper. If you are a qualified umpire then I expect you to register for this tournament.

Please remember that we practise a martial art and a very big part of this is that we attend functions and events outside of our club. To grade for Red belt, Black stripe and First Dan you need to have at least 10 credit points. Otherwise your application to grade may be declined and for First Dan it will be declined.

Counties to the Cook Islands

We can go to the Cook Islands to train and possibly grade! Wow what an opportunity! This will be just after the school holidays in October when the air fares are cheaper. More details here: http://itfnz.org.nz/news/raro/index.html

It would be great if as a club we could support this. I need a couple of adult student or parent volunteers to organise this, including fundraising and sponsorship so that the cost could be a low as possible. Accommodation and travel for all students will be arranged so that the group stays together. We need to register as soon as possible so that Natasha Iotua, the organiser, can start planning. This is a one off opportunity for those interested but unfortunately due to personal reasons I will not be able to attend.

Gradings:

Congratulations to all those that graded and passed. The next grading is in four months time.

Dave Butchers