St Marks Taekwon-Do School invite all registered RITA members to the annual "ITF Senior Masters Patterns and Power Seminar". This event takes place on Sunday 25th May and is conducted by Senior Master Howard and Senior Master Phelan, 8th Degree ITF Senior Masters.

This is a great chance to train alongside Taekwon-Do brothers and sisters under our very own ITF Senior Masters. All registered members from 10th kup up are welcome to attend.

Closing date is 19th May for return of applications. For more Information please contact the National Secretary Ms Valerie Keane 5th Degree.

Click here for application form. (PDF)

Master Anto Nobilo is proud to announce that the 2008 Pro-Taekwondo Tournament WORLD FINAL will take place in Zagreb, Croatia on 13th of December 2008. The prize money for the winning competitor is $50,000 cash. This event will consist of the 7 regional winners of the elimination tournaments and a final 8th invited fighter.

For more information visit the Black Belt Squad page or www.pro-taekwondo.com

On a cold Sunday morning April 6th the Female members of the RITA travelled to Senior Master Howard’s Dojang at the Cabra Parkside Community & Sports Complex, Dublin to attend the annual female Class, a day long training session from 10am-4pm conducted by Ms Valerie Keane 5th Degree Irelands senior female Instructor.

After the initial greetings and chat (it wouldn’t be a Female class without a bit of a chat) the morning began with a warm up and then Ms Keane took students through the basic fundamental movements spending time on sign wave, basic blocks and stances, going into great detail on the correct method for performing each movement, at all times questions were encouraged and clear explanations were given.

The afternoon began with patterns. Ms Keane went through each pattern discussing application and method of each movement giving a lot of time to each student and making corrections when necessary. There wasn’t a student that didn’t benefit from her patience and perseverance, as Ms Keane cast her Eagle eye over us, our mistakes and bad habits were drawn to or attention in her light-hearted manner.

As the day moved on it was time to bring in the Timber and Tiles for the Power testing part of the class. This was conducted in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where students were encouraged to move out of their comfort zone and try techniques that they were afraid of or had never tried before. Ms Keane put great time and effort into explaining the right technique for each break performed. Some females participating had never broken Timber let alone Tiles and came away with a great sense of satisfaction and self-confidence after achieving breaks they hadn’t done before.

All too soon 4pm arrived another successful Female class had come to an end.

Ms Keane generous as ever had gifts for everyone, kids young and old went home with arms full of pens, bookmarks, wristbands, (broken autographed boards) and memories of a great day looking forward to next year.
  
Audrey Condon 3rd Degree Instructor,
Kilmacow Taekwon-Do School

Click here for photos

Instructors from St.Mark's, Naas, Stillorgan, AIB & Blessington Taekwon-Do Schools attended a Code of Ethics & Awareness Course presented with their Certificates by Jerome Howe from the Irish Sports Council!.

On Sat 29th March the Republic of Ireland Taekwon-Do Association held a Black Belt examination in the Spa Hotel Lucan. The examining panel was made up of the three most Senior Master Black Belts in Ireland, Master Robert Howard, Master Anthony Phelan and Master Francis Barrett all 8th Degree Senior Master Black Belts with over 100 years experience between them.

After a two hour class at which each student had the chance to be personally corrected by all 3 Masters and have any question answered the Black Belt exam began. Those doing the grading were tested on all aspects of the art including Patterns, Techniques, breaking wood, 1-Step, Free sparring, 2 on to 1 Sparring and Taekwon-Do History & Terminology.

Successfully promoted were:

Mr. Martin Roe - St.Mark's School promoted to 2nd Degree
Amanda Kane - Old Bawn School promoted to 1st Degree
Ciaran Pollock - Old Bawn School promoted to 1st Degree
James Mannion - AIB School promoted to 1st Degree

The RITA would like to congratulate those who were promoted.

Click here to see full year

Squad Training and Trials for the National Colour Belt Team are cancelled until further notice.  Instructors will be sent out full information in the near future

More info, contact Master Robert Howard on (087) 6987624 or Mr Mark O'Donnell on (087) 7970646

RITA Instructors and Students can now view the TKD Supplies stock online. Click here to see our latest prices and stock.