Exemplar - Local study

Siân Roberts

Candidate Number: 8050

Tae Kwon Do

South West England

Local Study

Siân Roberts


The Governing Body

The Taekwondo Association of Great Britain (TAGB) is the largest governing body in the UK, which

divides the UK into its regions and allocates one of the 8 members of the TAGB committee as Area

Co-ordinator to oversee that region's gradings and important events. For the South West this is

Master Michael Dew, 8th degree black belt, Vice chairman of the TAGB and President of the British

Taekwondo Council (BTC). In order to take part in Taekwondo you must hold an up to date TAGB

licence and abide by the oath and tenets of Taekwondo. (See appendix one)

Grass roots

Anybody can start Taekwondo from any age or gender; many classes are held in different locations

for you to attend. There are 123 TAGB clubs in the South West (See appendix two). My local club in

Dorset is the Stephen Lambeth School of Taekwondo where classes are offered every day of the

week excluding Tuesday, in four different locations. Tigers classes, for young children from 4-7 years

old, are also offered at my club and most other clubs, to get children involved in Taekwondo from a

young age. (See appendix three) On a whole there is no provision for taekwondo at local schools and

colleges, however my taekwondo club runs one taekwondo extra curriculum activity in one local

middle school, however it does cost to attend.

The TAGB runs courses for black belts students who wish to progress further, these include umpire,

referee and instructor courses. (See appendix five) The courses are optional and are funded through

the fees that these students pay for them. However in order for black belts to progress to their next

Dan/grade students are required to take the courses and meet all other regulations. (See appendix

four)Umpire and Referees are voluntary, however if black belts want to be able to move up a Dan

grade they need to follow the regulations of the TAGB and complete the courses and the officiate

the required amount of competitions.

Bristol Academy in the South West is the training headquarters of the TAGB and the headquarters of

Taekwondo International owned and run by Master Michael Dew. Bristol Academy holds all black

belt gradings and pre gradings and instructors courses. Hutton Moore Sports Centre in Western

Super Mare in the South West holds all black belt training sessions and pattern courses. (See

appendix five)

Progression to first level elite performance and the structure of competition

To progress in Taekwondo you need to go through the belt rankings; this involves taking part in

gradings in order to get to the next belt. Once a student has reached blue stripe you have to train for

a minimum of six months between gradings, and in order to go from Black stripe to Black belt (1st

kup to 1st Dan) you have to train a minimum of nine months. From white belt to green belt (10

th kup

to 6th

kup) a grading contains four parts: Patterns, where you have to perform the pattern for your

grade (See appendix six), line work where you have to perform the relevant line work for your grade,

step sparring and theory where you are required to learn all the names of your movements in

Korean. From blue stripe and above you are also required to participate in sparring. You must not

only know everything for your grade but also everything from all the previous grades as you can be

asked to perform a wide variety of skills.

Siân Roberts


In addition to national competitions, the TAGB holds regional ones in each area each year,

occasionally local competitions are held within the South West. Competitions consist of two parts:

sparring and patterns, however you do not have to compete in both.

Funding and Sponsorship

The private route for Taekwondo is the only option as no voluntary or public provision is available.

All students who wish to compete in competitions and gradings need to have an up to date TAGB

licence. Participation in competitions costs approximately £10. Licence renewal costs £34. Lesson

costs are paid to your instructor; at my local club it cost £5 for a 1-1.5 hour lesson, or £30 a month

for as many lessons as you want to attend. To participate in lessons, gradings and competitions you

are required to have a Dobok (See appendix six) which can be purchased through your instructor via

the TAGB. Each grading costs an additional amount. Once a student has reached blue stripe they are

required to purchase sparring gear for competitions, class and gradings. The money from TAGB

merchandise such as Dobok’ and sparring gear, competition and licence renewal fees goes to the

TAGB.

The TAGB has also been involved with health and fitness promotions with the British Taekwondo

Council, ASDA, Nationwide, Sainsbury's, Nestle, Thomas Cook, Rotary International. (See appendix

seven) The website http://www.buy.at/taekwondo is fundraising for local TAGB Taekwondo schools,

receiving donations for every item purchased last Christmas in 2010. (See appendix eight)

Gender and Age

Taekwondo can be done by any gender or age. However competitions are divided up into groups,

depending on grade, gender, height and weight due to the intense physical contact of the sport.

Both sexes have equal opportunity in Taekwondo.

Disabled Taekwondo

At my Taekwondo club there is no provision for the disabled, however in Bath the Keynsham

Taekwondo club offers provision for the disabled to participate. However taking part in Taekwondo

and being disabled would be a great challenge as Taekwondo requires using all body parts in a wide

range of movements whilst having control over your whole body.

Critical Analysis

In my local area of the South West of England there are 123 TAGB schools. However being the ITF

style the provision for progressing is more limited than the WTF style and even more so for disabled

Taekwondo. The TAGB is currently the largest Taekwondo governing body in the UK and the largest

member of the British Taekwondo Council (BTC), however the funding for the TAGB is limited, and

the private route for taekwondo is the only option. With a lack of Taekwondo in schools and the

voluntary sector. In my opinion more opportunities for the disabled are needed, and an increase in

funding and talent transfer schemes to give ITF students greater opportunities to progress in their

sport.

Word Count: 1,023 excluding titles, italics, appendices and references.

Siân Roberts


References

http://www.blackbeltschools.com/schools/sch_list_area.asp?search=area&area=21

http://www.tagb.biz/index.html

http://www.dotcomunity.org.uk/dcu3_resources_for_disabled.php?type=Provider&id=5344&l2=1&l

3=4&l4=26&area=32&local=Somerset

http://www.bristoltkd.com/

http://web.me.com/jonball/TKD/Home.html

Appendices

Appendix One - Oath and Tenets of taekwondo

Appendix Two - South West taekwondo schools

Siân Roberts


Appendix Three - Stephen Lambeth’s School of Taekwondo

Appendix Four - Official minimum requirements for black belts

Appendix Five - Bristol Academy Events

Appendix Six - Definitions of Dan, Patterns, Line Work, Dobok and the different types of sparring.

Appendix Seven - TAGB Health and fitness promotions

Appendix Eight - http://www.buy.at/taekwondo

Appendix One

Taekwondo Oath:

Siân Roberts


As a student of taekwondo I do solemnly pledge to abide by the rules and regulations of the

taekwondo Association, to strive to always be modest, courteous and respectful to all members in

particular my seniors, to put the art into use only for self defence of in defence of the weak and

never to abuse my knowledge of the art.

Taekwondo Tenets:

Courtesy: To be polite to one's instructors, seniors and fellow students.

Integrity: to be honest with yourself. One must be able to define the difference between right and

wrong

Perseverance: To achieve a goal, whether a higher grade or a new technique, one must not stop

trying; one must persevere.

Self Control: To lose one's temper when performing techniques against an opponent can be very

dangerous and shows a lack of control. To be able to live, work and train within one's capabilities

shows good self control.

Indomitable Spirit: To show courage when you and your principles are pitted against overwhelming

odds.

Appendix Two

South West TAGB clubs

Siân Roberts


There are 123 TAGB clubs in the south west of England, for full list see;

http://www.blackbeltschools.com/schools/sch_list_area.asp?search=area&area=21

Print screen from

Google maps of TAGB

schools in the south

west

http://www.tagb.biz/sc

hools.html

Appendix Three

Stephen Lambeth’s School of Taekwondo

Siân Roberts


http://web.me.com/jonball/TKD/Home.html

Stephen Lambeth’s Taekwondo schools has been open since 1996 and run at 4 locations in Dorset

and Hampshire; Verwood, Ringwood, Fordingbridge and Ferndown. They aim to incorporate fun into

learning taekwondo, self defence and keeping fit. In addition to running 4 locations clubs are also

run as extra curriculum activities in local schools. Ages run from 4 years old to 60+.

Appendix Four

T.A.G.B MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR BLACK BELT

GRADINGS – WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 2007

Siân Roberts


ALL GRADES

All black belts wishing to grade must train on a regular basis and must be in possession of a current

T.A.G.B. licence. He / She must have held a T.A.G.B. licence continuously over the whole training

period.

All black belts must attend at least one of the special T.A.G.B. Black Belt pre-grading training

sessions held every six months (licence books must be stamped) and all three immediately prior to the

grading for which they are applying.

All black belts who are under 16 years old do not need to attend any umpires’ or referees’ or

instructors courses. However, the minimum training times are double those printed.

1st Dan to 2

nd Dan

i) Attend Umpires Course (Parts I and I) – At least 6 months between Part I and Part II.

ii) Officiate at a minimum of 2 T.A.G.B. tournaments per year. At least one of which must

be a national tournament. (Licence books must be stamped)

iii) Must attend ALL three pre-grading sessions immediately prior to the grading.

iv) Application form must be endorsed by Instructor and Area Co-ordinator.

Note: Minimum training time is 2 years

2nd

Dan to 3rd

Dan

i) Attend Referees Course (Parts I and II) - Must have been a qualified umpire for at least 6

months and at least 6 months between Parts I & II.

ii) Officiate at a minimum of 2 T.A.G.B. tournaments per year. At least one of which must

be a national tournament. (Licence books must be stamped)

iii) Must attend ALL three pre-grading sessions immediately prior to the grading.


3rd

Dan to 4th

Dan

i) As per 2nd

to 3rd

Dan

ii) Must have attended Part 1 and Part 2 of the instructors Course.


4th Dan to 5th

Dan

i) As per 3rd

to 4th

Dan

ii) A written application must be sent to the T.A.G.B. Committee together with the

relevant Instructors’ recommendations, via the Area Co-ordinator.

iii) Must be a qualified T.A.G.B. Instructor and Referee.


6th

Dan and above

i) As per 4th

to 5th

Dan.

Siân Roberts


ii) Awarded at the discretion of the black Belt Examiners Panel.

Note: Minimum training time to 6th

Dan is 6 years.

__________________________________________________________________________

TAGB COURSES

The following minimum age limits apply to TAGB courses.

Umpires and Referees: 16 years. Assistant Instructors: 16 years. Instructors: 18 years.

Appendix Five

Bristol Academy Events

http://www.bristoltkd.com/news/South%20West%202010.pdf

Siân Roberts


http://www.bristoltkd.com/

http://www.tagb.biz/events.html

Appendix Six

Definitions of Dan, Patterns, Line Work, Dobok's and the different sorts of sparring.

Dan:

Siân Roberts


Dans are the ranking of black belts. Once a student reaches black belt they are 1st Dan. Progressing

further than black belt means to take gradings to get a higher Dan grades. Every Dan has three

different patterns. 9th degree black belt is the highest the rankings go.

Patterns:

There is one pattern for every belt up until black, where there are three for each Dan grade and an

optional two for both 1st and 2

nd Dan. Patterns are a set sequence of movements, designed to enable

the student to train alone. There are 24 patterns in total in ITF taekwondo and each pattern has an

historical meaning behind it.

Line Work:

Line work is combinations of movements performed in class in line. It enables students to practice

and perfect techniques from their patterns and previous patterns.

Dobok:

Dobok is the Korean name for the uniform worn by taekwondo students. The Dobok comes in many

varieties, traditional white for coloured belts, black belt Dobok’s for black belts, you can also get

Dobok’s corresponding to the country to which you are from for example, England, Scotland or

Wales.

Step sparring:

Set sparring consists of predetermined sequences of movements, similar to a pattern, but

performed with an opponent. It is designed to be the next stage towards real combat from patterns

and line work. Because of its predictability it is the first type of sparring taught to students. There are

three levels in order of most basic to most advanced: three-step, two-step, and one-step. Each level

brings itself closer to real combat. The three levels are taught across the colour belt syllabus.

Semi Free Sparring:

This type is similar to set sparring but with an improvised element. On lower levels there are set

attacks but no set blocks, which must be improvised. Higher levels are similar to free sparring but

with distinct stepping.

Free Sparring:

Free sparring enters the grading syllabus from blue stripe, though students can enter into sparring

categories in competitions from yellow stripe.

Appendix Seven

Health and fitness promotions

Siân Roberts


http://www.tagb.biz/index.html

In the last few years the TAGB has been involved with health and fitness promotions with companies

such as Nestle, Nationwide Building Society, Sainsbury's, Asda, Cardinal Securities, Disneyland and

Rotary International.

http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/index.asp?PageID=424&section=&Year=2007&NewsID=850

In 2007 the TAGB was involved in the Sainsbury's Active kids vouchers, where children could collect

the vouchers for their school, for every £10 spent in store a voucher would be awarded and

additional vouchers would be give for spending money on items marked as healthy such as fresh

fruit and vegetables. The school were then able to exchange these vouchers for coaching for

activities they probably never had the chance to do before, such as a trained taekwondo coach

coming to their school to teach them.

Appendix Eight

http://www.buy.at/taekwondo

Siân Roberts


Exemplar - Local study

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