At the Special General Meeting held on Saturday 27 June 2009, members voted by a majority of 116 to 2, to accept a new constitution which will see Taekwondo Australia transition from an Incorporated body to a Company limited by guarantee.
This heralds a new governance regime for taekwondo throughout Australia and aligns us with other large professional national sports organisations. For a copy of the new constitution click here.

WHAT'S NEW

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Visit a TA State Web Site ACT NSW QLD SA TAS VIC WA

• Congratulations to Chad Cross from Rawlins Taekwondo who has won the Junior Sports Star Award for the City Of Rockingham in Western Australia.
  
  
• Our congratulations to Chloe Iriyadi from Titans who won Leader Newspaper Junior Sports Star of the Year award for the Stonnington area in Victoria.
  
  
• Did you know that our members have over 300 training centres throughout Australia? Check to see if your centre is listed by clicking HERE, and if it's not ask your instructor to forward us your club's information.

Taekwondo Australia Members World Cup Results

We are pleased to announce that two of our members in Steve Currie won a Bronze Medal at the Azerbaijan Disabled World Championships and Sam Lioiacono was one of five referees to be awarded a 'Best Referee' commendation. We congratulate them all on their outsanding performances.

NOTICE OF SGM MAIL OUT PROBLEM

Australia Post have advised Taekwondo Australia that a machine fault has resulted in the return of nine letters posted to members regarding the Notice of Meeting.  As the machine fault damaged the envelopes and removed the mail lables we are unable to determine to whom these letters were addressed to. We therefore advise any member who has not received the Notice of Meeting to immediately contact Kate Eggar on 0408 982 248 and a Notice will be re-post or emailed.

All notices were posted in compliance with constitutional requirements and Australia Post has apologised for this issue.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

As many of our members are aware TA has been involved in a mediation with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and Sports Taekwondo Australia (STA) as to the readmitting to the AOC of TA. That process was terminated by the Mediator, Mr McHugh QC, a retired High Court Judge, on 13 May 2009 due to the inability of TA and STA to agree upon the basis upon which TA would be readmitted to the AOC. Our legal counsel put the position of TA to the Mediator that TA would not accept the proposal put by STA which essentially would have TA merge with STA and operate as a new entity.

Having established that position there was no point in progressing further the mediation. We did however agree with the AOC to enter into a new mediation with the AOC which proceeded without the presence of STA. We are very confident that the new mediation will bring about the end of the current dispute with the AOC and provide the foundations for the return of TA to not only the AOC, but will ensure fresh recognition of TA by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) as the governing body controlling the sport of Taekwondo in Australia. Thereafter we will formally be readmitted to membership of the World Taekwondo Federation which membership was only withdrawn due to the loss of recognition by the ASC and the loss of our AOC membership.

We have not broadcast much of this to our membership as we were bound by a confidentiality clause in the earlier mediation agreement which we adhered to without exception. The only reason we are publishing this information is as a consequence of the ongoing web site announcements by STA that present their version of the events that need addressing. Any sensible person regards the use of self serving web site announcements as being of no value and not to be treated seriously. A number of our members have however referred these latest STA announcements to us and we felt that you should know the correct position which is that it is TA that stands ready to fulfill the role of the National Sports Organisation for our sport and it alone has the membership numbers and support to be so acknowledged by the the AOC and ASC.

In moving forward we are in the process of arranging meetings with all states to discuss the range of changes proposed for our new constitution that will bring us into full compliance with the ASC's governance principles, which are designed to broaden the membership voting base and a federated organisational model providing the states with self governance. This will provide our members with a modern structure to reach our full potential of the sport. The Special General Meeting (SGM) notice and appropriate papers will be circulated to voting members by the end of the month with a plan to hold the SGM in Melbourne on Saturday 27 June 2009 to coincide with the TA's Strategic Planning weekend.

Vale - Shin Boo Kim

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the sudden passing of Mr Shin Boo Kim from Western Australia. Mr Kim came to WA in the early 1970’s and was credited as one of the early pioneers who started a strong and continuous Taekwondo following in WA and he made the South West of WA his vast home base. He had achieved much in his lifelong journey, his most notable when he was awarded best poomsae international referee judge at the 2007 WTF world poomsae championships. He had produced a number of national players both in sparring and in poomsae in the Australian teams that contested the WTF world championships, himself being appointed Deputy Head Poomsae coach and Team Manager in a number of Australian national teams. Mr Kim was a gentleman and he would always have time for anybody, be they new students to experienced players or members or even his fellow colleagues in Taekwondo teaching, coaching or instructing. He was very passionate about his Taekwondo, in particular as WA’s Technical Director he was instrumental in implementing a program to promote, develop and standardise Taekwondo techniques in poomsae, a field he has no peers in WA. He set the standard in WA for poomsae and poomsae judging. Even in his advanced age, his skill levels and techniques execution were still in prime form. He was very well liked by all and had such a calm manner about him and an outlook in life that one could only respect this man who was brim full of excellent Taekwondo values, martial arts spirit and the love of Taekwondo. He was always there helping out at tournaments from club to state and national tournaments in any capacity. His lifelong partner and wife, Mrs Kim would always be by his side, and the loving pair was always seen together. His Taekwondo members will remember him and will sorely miss him, his presence and his smile and his constant checks to make sure everything was alright. The Taekwondo community in WA will miss this gentleman and his presence. Mr Kim, we salute you, .. Yes siree. May you rest in peace. Your son and your members will continue on your Taekwondo teachings and your legacy. Taekwondo Australia extends its deepest sympathies to his wife Mrs Kim, son Harry and Aleisha.

Vale - Mario Rejtano

It is with deep regret that we announce the sudden passing of Mario Rejtano (44) who was the Head Instructor of ASP Taekwondo in Bundaberg, Queensland. Mario contributed greatly to Taekwondo in Queensland following a significant history in NSW and was friendly, approachable and always lots of fun.  He has always had a smile for everyone, even when as a coach he may have had some on-court 'concerns'.  He was passionate about his athletes and his club and about taekwondo and Taekwondo Australia.  He was an active coach, International Referee and a strong community contributor.  Bundaberg had an unusually high taekwondo profile thanks to Mario and his work with frequent media coverage of taekwondo activities and a strong network within the local education community.  Mario was a passionate family man and an asset to the community and to taekwondo and will be sadly missed.  Taekwondo Australia extends its deepest sympathies to his wife Penny and daughters Brittney, Maddison and Montanah.

Taekwondo Australia Members Make Win Selection For World Cup

We are pleased to announce that 80% of the Australian Team selected for the 2009 World Cup Championships is made up of Taekwondo Australia members. Our representative atheles are in the Female Squad: Rima Kanoun, Skye Sciberras, Chloe Iriyadi and Sunsanee McDonnell. In the Male Squad:Ali Khalil, Safwan Khalil, Burak Hasan and Chad Cross. The championships will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from 10-14 June 2009. Taekwondo Australia congratulates these athletes on their success.

Taekwondo Australia Successfully Appeals

After five of our members had their entry applications for the Australian Team Selections for the World Cup rejected by the event organisers, Taekwondo Australia lodged an appeal for assistance with the Australian Olympic Committee. The reasons provided by the event organisers for rejecting our members' entry forms was due to them being only accredited at the Kukkiwon Poom level rather than the full Dan level. Given that the Kukkiwon Dan accreditation has never been a requirement for selections, only for the events itself, Taekwondo Australia believed that it would be unjust for these members to be denied entry to the selections. We are pleased to advise that the appeal was successful and the decision has been reversed by the World Taekwondo Federation and our members entry for the selections have now been accepted.
Taekwondo Australia sincerely thanks the AOC and the WTF for their assistance in this matter.

Taekwondo Australia Members Selected For World University Games

Taekwondo Australia is proud to announce that the following members have been selected for the Australian Team to compete at the World University Taekwondo Games to be held in Belgrade, Serbia from 1-12 July 2009.
Sparring Team: Ellen TJAHJANA, Nicole MEN, Sara GUEVARA, Hayder SHKARA, Murat DOGANAY
Poomsae Team: Kerstin OBERPRIELER  and Ross CAMPBELL

Taekwondo Australia Team Bags Medals At Belgium Challenge

Our team with very little fanfare entered the Belgium Open Challenge Cup which is a high level international tournament with some 450 contestants and held during 7 and 8 March 2009. Taekwondo Australia is proud to announce that our team will be returning with a total of 36 medals from the event and congratulates all team members on their fantastic effort.

Taekwondo Australia Member Makes Semi Finals of Australia's Got Talent TV Show

Hot on the heels of Hall's Taekwondo's finals appearance on the Australia's Got Talent television show, another of our member clubs have leapt to the opportunity to display the marvels of our martial art. Members from Ridvan Manav's Australian Martial Arts Academy formed the 'Australian Martial Arts' act to dazzle the audience and judges and make it to the semi-finals. Let's get behind them and once again help one of our members to the finals of the show. Oh .. and just in case you also want to be dazzled by their mesmerising act, just click HERE - and enjoy!

Australian Collects Team Awards At 2009 US Open

This US Open excelled with a registration of 1,741 Athletes, 461 Coaches and 55  International Referees. This was a record for the 18th Annual US Open Taekwondo Championships which also included teams from 59 nations and 13 2008 Beijing Olympians. Against this background our team won awards in the following categories:

• Team Spirit Award - Team Jalisco (Mexico)
• Best Dressed Award - Team Australia
• Largest International Team - Team Australia
• Largest US Team - Progression Team/Kings Taekwondo
  

Taekwondo Australia congratulates all Team members and its National Sports Committee for our team's overall successes.

US Open Report - Sunday 15 February 2009

Today was a good day for Poomsae. Chris Rabba got a GOLD in the seniors to go with his SILVER from the Ultras. Olivia Niehuus won a BRONZE in her Poomsae division. Unfortunately sparring did not do as well with no medal performances today. Many of the athletes fought very well against a very high caliber of opposition. The following people won two fights: Anya Vukomanovic, Peter Tilly, Brittny Penglase, Daniel Song and Hayden Shrive. The following won one fight: Nicole Men, Daniel Janyckyj, Matthew Oka, Alex Phillipos and Skye Sciberras. Everyone else lost their first fight. The team was awarded the Best Overall International Team award as well as the Best Dressed Team award. The total medal count for the trip is: 3 GOLD, 2 SILVER, and 5 BRONZE.

US Open Report - Saturday 14 February 2009

Unfortunately no medals for the Australian Team today. There were lots of exciting fights and the new La Just protectors were a major talking point as the athletes adjusts their styles to suit this new scoring methods. Jake Scanlon won three fights, loosing in the quarter final. Troy Burton had very strong opposition and lost his third fight in a very tight contest against Korea. Other people who won their first fight included: Justin Koob, Emily Armour, Tim Evans, Anya Vukomanovic, and Aralya Sali. All other athletes lost their first fight. Tomorrow is the last day and we have twenty players competing. All have made weight and are looking forward to a strong day of competition.

The fighters are: Callum Twaddell, Matthew Oka, Marcus Memmolo, Alex Phillipos, Ibrahim Nasar, Patrick Rogowski, Skye Sciberras, Taner Hickmet, Peter Tilly, Jessica Dullard, Tamer Genc, Pinar Yurdakul, Daniel Song, Nicole Men, Glenn Johnson, Ognjen Dzombic, Hayden Shrive, Daniel Janyckyj, Brittny Penglase, Anya Vukomanovic, Olivia Niehuus.

US Open Report - Friday 13 February 2009

Friday thirteenth was another good day for the Team at the US Open. Cem Kahraman won all five of his first fights and in the last it got to 0 – 0 even after extra time. Unfortunately he lost on superiority, so takes home a SILVER. Elly Greenfield was on fire and won her first three fights with a seven point gap. Her semi final was won with a golden point, and so was the final. This won her and the Team a GOLD. Nick Lepouris was unlucky as he won his first three fights, only to come up against Cem in the quarter final. Bradley Kidd won his first two fights but lost the third. Other players to win one fight included Jordie Coyle, Brodie Sciberras, Rick Karvouniaris, Thomas Auger, Enise Ayanlar. All other athletes lost their first fight.

Tomorrow's fighters include: Max Moloughney Justin Koob Aralya Sali Tim Even Christopher Beach Thomas Auger Troy Burton Rebecca Cobb Maree Jordan Anya Vukomanovic Petar Klenkoski Rachel Fassioms Hannah Fassioms Jessica Ennis Jake Scanlon Hayley Russell Aaron Bradbury Madeline Granozio Emily Armour

US Open Report - Thursday 12 February 2009

Thursday was a very successful first day for our Team at the US Open with 1 GOLD, 1 SILVER, and 4 BRONZE medals. Chris Rabba started the day off well for Australia by winning a SILVER medal in the Ultra’s poomsae division. Natasha Fantone met only Americans in her division. She won her first fight 7 – 0. Her second opponent was a stronger fighter and Natasha beat her on golden point. Her third fight was against a very tall opponent and Natasha won 1- 0 in a very tight contest. This secured her a BRONZE as she was narrowly defeated in her fourth fight. Matteo Aresca was unlucky to meet a very strong opponent in his first round. He fought hard but ultimately lost to America. Chris Rabba after doing so well in poomsae in the morning narrowly lost to a Korean 3-2 in the afternoon. Mesut Kahraman beat America 5 – 1 in his first fight and followed this up with a 4 - 1 win against a Guatamalean. In a very exciting and tight contest, he won his last fight against an American Master, winning GOLD with a 3 – 2 result. Murat Eyreuk met a strong American in his first fight and lost 4 – 0, however this still gave him a BRONZE medal. Ali Selek won his first fight 5 – 2 against another American. He then got a bye in his second round and lost his third fight 1 – 0 in a very close encounter to get the BRONZE medal. Tina Santucci had waited all day and after five hours in the warm up area won her first fight, with a stunning head kick against the Phillipines 4 - 0. Her second fight was a much closer encounter with an American, going down 1 – 2 but still securing the BRONZE medal.

Tomorrow we see the 14 –17 year old division start and we have the following players competing: Sean Falkenstein Jordie Coyle David Stern Jack Marton Brodie Sciberras Bradley Kidd Julie Dawson

Mediation with The Australian Olympic Committee

Mediation between Taekwondo Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee occurred on Tuesday 10 February 2009. As a result of what was discussed we are continuing to work with the Australian Olympic Committee to arrive at an outcome that will be beneficial to our sport and its members.   In keeping within the context of the mediation it is important for all concerned to realise that all matters discussed in relation to mediation are confidential and, as such, Taekwondo Australia is unable to provide any greater detail in regard to the discussions at this stage. The Board thanks our members for their sustained support. Please stay tuned for further updates.

Australian Team Arrives Safely In US

Having left from different departure points the Australian Team met as a whole for the first time and although most had flown in that day and were understandably tired, they were happy to meet up with their fellow team members. Registration and weigh in for the competition was a long process for many as competitors began queuing at 12 noon for a 2 pm weigh-in start. The queue was three people wide and 50 metres long. Fortunately the Australians were well looked after by USAT who pre-registered our players so our weigh-in only took one hour. For many others it took three or four times longer. All our players made their weight.

On the first night the team will have La Just give them a talk and demonstration of the electronic protectors and later a few Team members will try them out so that they can see what will score. All Team members will have a chance to try them out at training. In the competition the athletes will be wearing sensors on the body and feet. Punches and head kicks will be scored manually.

Tomorrow's competitors are: Natasha Fantone Tina Santucci Chris Rabba Mesut Kahraman Ali Selek Matteo Aresca Murat Eryurek They are all in good form and we wish them all the best for the competition and stay tuned for more information and photos!.

Victorian Taekwondo Community Needs Our Support

We have been advised by one of our Victorian affiliated clubs that regrettably one of their members died in last weekend's tragic bushfire in the Kingslake area. The Board and Members of Taekwondo Australia express their deepest sympathy to his family, friends and taekwondo colleagues and we encourage our members to generously donate through their preferred Bushfire Appeal.

The Association has also been advised that some members in the bushfire areas may have lost family homes and property, and that several clubs have lost their training halls and equipment. To assist our student members in their time of hardship the Board has approved the waiving of annual renewal membership and insurance fees and Head and Associate Instructors who have such cases are requested to contact the Administration Manager on 1300 TKD AUS.

To assist our fellow instructors who have lost training facilities and equipment, the Board is appealing to members who have any training equipment, doboks or belts (either new or secondhand) which are surplus to their needs to donate these so that our fellow instructors can commence to restablish their clubs and assist the rebuilding of their communities. If you wish to donate, or you are aware of a club which has been afflicted by these tragic events, please contact the Acting CEO on 0408 982 248.

Australian Team Contests 2009 US Open

Building on the recent successes at the Oceania and Commonwealth Championships, the National Sports Committee has selected the 2009 US Open as one of the international development tournaments which wil benefit our future athletes towards the 2012 London games. The development squad comprises the three tiers of players from the elite high performance, national and state squad athletes. They will be contesting against over 1700 athletes from 59 nations, including 17 other national teams and 13 Beijing Olympians. The team is accompanied by 8 national and state coaches and is headed by Gordon Twaddell. Stay tuned for more information and results.

The design of the national sports development program, for sparring and poomase, has been completed and is awaiting Board approval and is expected to be released in March 2009.

Taekwondo Australia Members Win Medals
At Oceania Champiomships In New Zealand

Taekwondo Australia congratulates our members who were part of the Australian Team which competed in the recent 3rd Oceania Championships held in Auckland, New Zealand. With the exception of two athletes, all Australian Team athletes were members of Taekwondo Australia, and even more pleasing were the large number of medals achieved by the members of Taekwondo Australia. Their achievement continues to demonstrate the strength of the Association's member clubs and state afffiliated bodies.

Taekwondo Australia Members Win Medals
At Commonwealth Games In Canada

Taekwondo Australia congratulates its members who were part of the Australian Team which competed in the recent Commonwealth Championships held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 24 of the 25 players in the Australian Team are members of Taekwondo Australia, and even more pleasing all 9 medal winners are members of Taekwondo Australia.

Taekwondo Australia also congratulates the athletes' states and clubs for their on going grass root development programes and support for the national pathway development initiatives.

This clearly demonstrates the strength of the Association's member clubs and state afffiliated bodies and we look forward to announcing even more successes from the Oceania Championships currently underway in Auckland, New Zealand.

Australian Team

Sparring Team			Poomsae Team
TA Member	Division	State	TA Member	Division	State
Junior Female			Individual Poomsae
Renae Perkins Brianna Wilson Raluca Plohberger Ellen Bruce Hayley Russell (Bronze Medal)	46-49kg 46-49kg 59-63kg 59-63kg 63-68kg	Qld Qld ACT ACT ACT	Luke Darlow (Gold Medal) Ross Campbell (Bronze Medal) Kerstin Oberprieler (Silver Medal) Elizabeth Hughes (Bronze Medal)	M 14-18 M 19-30 F 19-30 F 19-30	WA ACT ACT Vic
Junior Male			Team Staff
Beau Lang (Bronze Medal) Shannen Toby Graeme Riddell Jerome Tseitlin (Bronze & Most promising Junior) William Morrison James Carter	48-51kg 52-55kg 59-63kg 59-63kg 63-68kg 68-73kg	Vic NSW SA Vic ACT SA	Joon No George Elliot Chris Perkins Karen Perkins	Head of Team Coach Team Manager Chaperone	Vic ACT Qld Qld
Senior Female
Nicole Mitsigeorfis Nicole Men Sara Guevara (Silver Medal) Catherine Carling	55-59kg 59-63kg 67-72kg 72+kg	SA ACT ACT ACT			The Team
Senior Male
Mouhammed Mourad Carmelo Tarascio James Laurantus Rudolph Nunes (Bronze Medal & Most Promising Senior) Jonathon Inger	54-58kg 54-58kg 58-62kg 62-67kg 84+kg	NSW Vic NSW Vic Qld			The Medalists

         Taekwondo Australia Extends Newsletter Circulation

Our Newsletter has previously only been available to instructors but will now on occasions also be extended to include student members via the website. This is the first of these editions and Taekwondo Australia expects more to come on a regular basis.

In this issue we cover a wide range of topics including the Association's meeting with the Australian Sports Commission and the federal Minister of Sports, the US Open, Commonwealth Championships, International Referee seminars, New Policies, Upcoming Events and much more!

To download the Newsletter click on the Newsletter icon.

Taekwondo Australia merchandise is now available online to all registered student members and instructors. To visit the online shop click on the shopping trolley.