The RITA are pleased to extend an invitation to all ITF Taekwon-Do practitioners to take part in the 2008 Connacht Open ITF Taekwon-Do Championships, to be held in the Leisureland Complex, Salthill, Galway on Saturday 10th May.

The tournament is hosted by the Galway Taekwon-Do School in partnership with the Republic of Ireland Taekwon-Do Association. For full details of the event & entry forms, please see the tournament information pack.

If you have any questions, please contact the RITA Tournament Director, Mr Floyd Keane 6th Degree on (086) 8541889, email tournaments@rita-itf.org, or visit the Tournament page.

We would very much appreciate all Umpires attending the event to confirm their attendance with the RITA Umpire Committee either by text or email to Mr O'Donnell: 087-7970646 (mobile); email instructor@galwaytkd.com not later than Monday 5th May please.

Galway Taekwon-Do School are celebrating their 15th Anniversary this year and are looking forward to a great event.

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)

Don’t miss your chance to train under one of Ireland’s most Senior ITF Taekwon-Do Masters. Senior Master Francis Barrett VIII Degree will conduct an official ITF International Instructors Course on Sat.18th & Sun.19th October 2008.

The first day of the seminar is open to members of all ranks, while the full two-day course is open to 1st Kup and Black Belts.

Click here to download Information.
Click here to download Application Form.

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.

Congratulations to the RITA Black Belts (see below) who were recently awarded the title of National Umpire after they successfully passed their umpire course and exams.  All the umpires took part in the recent one day RITA National Umpire course held in Stillorgan Taekwon-Do School and passed their written exam.  The ‘B’ Class umpires were put through their paces at the Leinster Open Championships where they had to centre referee several sparring bouts under the watchful eye of the RITA’s Umpire Committee (Master Robert G. Howard and Mr Mark O’Donnell).  ‘The umpires did very well’ said Master Howard afterwards. “But it’s very important that they practice their new skills between tournaments so that they maintain the high standard which is expected of them” he added.  The Umpire Committee is looking forward to seeing all the new umpires in action on the 10th of May at the Connaught Open Championships in Galway.

Promoted to ‘A’ Class National Umpire

Ms. Marina O'Donnell (Galway)
Mr. Martin Roe (St Marks)
Mr. Mark Pollock (Old Bawn)

Promoted to ‘B’ Class National Umpire

Ms. Audrey Condon (Kilmacow)
Mr. Graham Ford (AIB)
Ms. Denise Hanrahan (Carrick-on-Suir)

Promoted to ‘C’ Class National Umpire

Mr. Gerald Byrne (Old Bawn)
Mr. Noel O' Donovan (Cork)
Mr. Conor Dunne (Athlone)
Mr. Jason Ford (AIB)
Mr. Eamon Kennedy, (Boyne Valley)
Mr. David Freeman, (St Mark’s)
Mr. Thomas Dalton, (Carrick-on-Suir)
Mr. Eamon Gilson (Rowlagh)

There will be a Female Training Session in Master Howards Dojang in Cabra Parkside Community & Sports Complex, Ratoath Rd, Cabra, Dublin 7 on Sunday April 6th from 10am - 4pm.

The proposed plan for the female training is firstly & very important for all the females to get to meet and chat with their Taekwon-Do Sisters of all grades from all the different RITA Schools. The students will be asked for any special requests on the day, some students will have just graded and would like to learn some of their new techniques for their new pattern and of course any new kicks will also be introduced. Some games will also take place, great fun! But the highlight is always Self Defence and Breaking Boards & Tiles, in some cases the females would never have broken timber or tiles before, therefore a lot of time goes on showing the students the right technique, hugely encouraged to perform the correct way, and leave the training session with lots more confidence in themselves knowing they have overcome the fear of the Timber/Tiles and will go home having achieved great satisfaction.

Click here for application form.

Closing date for application is Monday 31st March.

Mark Sweeney and his son Michael age 5 yrs who are members of St.Mark's Taekwon-Do School were recently promoted to 9th Kup. Both Father & Son train together with assistant Instructor in St.Mark's Mr. Martin Roe 1st Degree and they have never missed a class, since joining in November last. Their performance at the grading was very good, however, Michael was stunning and won an award for achieving an "A" level for his 9th Kup grading, first time for such an award to be given by Ms. Valerie Keane ITF International Examiner. When a 5 year old could say the 5 tenets of Taekwon-Do perfectly with his techniques as good, no other level could be granted. Long may their success continue!

St. Mark's Taekwon-Do School were hosts to this years first Black Belt Master Class. Conducted by Irelands two most Senior Masters it was a great chance for those attending to go over their Techniques and Patterns. Senior Master Robert Howard and Senior Master Anthony Phelan both 8th Degree Masters went though fundamental techniques and the correct way to perform them as taught by General Choi. All those attending were able to perform their Patterns from 1st to 6th Degree and have them corrected individually. The Masters encouraged discussions on correct technique and everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the class with Master Howard sharing his 40 years of Taekwon-Do experience and knowledge.

The RITA Squad for the 23rd European Championships in Croatia has been selected. The team was chosen from attending Squad Training and performances at RITA Tournaments. The Squad will compete in Male Individual events. Those selected are as follows:

There are still a couple of places left on the team so those interested should attend the next Squad Training session.

With 200 competitors from all 4 Irish Provinces the 2008 Leinster Open was a great success. Hosted by St Marks Taekwon-Do School the event attracted competitors not only from the RITA but also many from the other Taekwon-Do Associations too. It was a good day for St Marks as they picked up the overall awards in the Junior and Senior categories. David Freeman got in some good practice for the European Championships in May by winning Gold in Black Belt lightweight sparring, Patterns and Special Technique while Kenneth Hooper won Gold in red/blue belt 15-17 Sparring and 12-17 red belt patterns.

The RITA would like to express its appreciation to all the Umpires who attended and to the Tournament & Umpire Committees for making the event an enjoyable experience for everyone.

The next RITA Tournament is the Connaught Open which takes place in Salt Hill, Galway on May 10th.

For a full list of winners please vist the Tournaments page.

The XXIII Adult and XIV Junior EITF European Taekwon-Do Championships will take place in Porec, Croatia from 28th May to 1st of June. The last remaining places on the National Team will be selected at the Leinster Open and the following squad training session. For more information on the Championships please download the official info pack.

Also the VIII Junior & III Veteran World Championships will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 17th to 21st September 2008. Those interested should inform the National Coach for details on selection. For more information please visit the Official Website.

Russian Andrey Krylov has won the 1st Pro Taekwon-Do Tournament with a K.O. of Woytek Kaszowski from Canada in the Final. The event was held in Zagreb, Croatia and was attended by Grand Master Rhee, ITF President Mr Chang Ung and EITF President Master Nobilo. The event was shown live on Croatian TV. Mr Floyd Keane 6th Degree was chosen to be one of the Umpires for this historic event.

Visit http://www.pro-taekwondo.com to see a video of the event.

Sunday 11th November saw Naas Taekwon-Do School host its annual Self-Defence and Sparring seminar.  As always the event was well supported by many schools throughout the day.  There was strong attendance particularly from the very young students which as much as learning new techniques they found quite entertaining also.  Senior Master Francis Barrett 8th degree delivered his usual detailed self-defence seminar in the morning.  Starting off with the basic releases and grabs and ultimately working up to some more advanced techniques such as choke holds and breaks towards the end of the session.  As is the norm the front line of the class (i.e. the black belts) became the guinea pigs for the morning, subjecting themselves to the mercy of Senior Master Barrett (much to the entertainment of the junior members).  To finish, Senior Master Barrett opened questions up to the floor to allow students to pose their own questions and scenarios to further develop their own self defence knowledge.  This produced many questions from students to which Senior Master Barrett found a solution for all.

After lunch former RITA National Coach Mr. Floyd Keane 6th degree brought the seminar up a gear with a very fast paced sparring seminar.  Commencing with the breakdown of the points structure within tournament sparring, Mr. Keane explained how judges award points in a tournament situation.  This gave a good refresher to seasoned students but moreover gave much value to the junior grades as they approach sparring grade.  This was followed by kicking drills to improve speed and agility for sparring purposes.  Later in the afternoon students were paired off to practice defensive sparring techniques and improve responses when on the receiving end of an attack.  These drills later showed the students had increased in confidence when confronted with an attack minded opponent.  Mr. Keane then went on to instruct on how to manage a 2 onto 1 attack.  Valuable tips were shared and again the benefit was visible in the student’s performance throughout the afternoon.   The afternoon finished on a lighter note with 7 onto 1 sparring.  While many of the students managed to hold there own (for a few seconds at least) it was the junior colour belts who seemed the most enthusiastic and who had the belief of victory.  Long may this belief last!  The support at this event every year is testament that Senior Master Barrett & Mr. Keane have once again delivered in spades and I for one will be looking forward to next years seminar.  Finally, special thanks must be given to Ms. Valerie Keane V without whom the event could not be run.

John Paul Nestor 3rd Deg. Instructor
St. Mark’s Taekwon-Do School

Mr Pat Rabbitte T.D. was presented with an honourary 3rd Degree Black Belt by the Republic of Ireland Taekwon-Do Association on Saturday night last.

The presentation took place at a special event held in the Lucan Spa Hotel to mark the 25th anniversary of St Mark’s Taekwon-Do School. Mr Rabbitte was presented with his 3rd Degree Black Belt and International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) certificate by the President of the RITA, Senior Master Robert Howard 8th Degree. He was also awarded the title of “Honourary President of St Mark’s Taekwon-Do School” by the school’s instructor, Ms Valerie Keane 5th Degree.

The attendees were also treated to spectacular demonstration of the Korean martial art by the Black Belt demonstration team.

Click here for some photos.
Click here to read more about 25 years of St. Marks

2008 will be a busy year for our International Squad. There will be the World Junior & Veteran Championships in Uzbekistan during September, The European Adult & Junior Championships, The 4 Nations and the 3rd International Martial Arts Games in Thailand during April.

The RITA are asking all Black Belts to try out for places on the Teams in the upcoming months. All these competitions are of a very high standard so those wishing to go need to start their training up to 6 months in advance and gain experience competing.

For more information on dates and to organise training in your area contact the National Coach.

The RITA bi-annual Black Belt exam took place on saturday 22nd October in the Spa Hotel Lucan. The Grading was under the RITA Masters Panel of Senior Master Robert J. Howard 8th Degree, Senior Master Anthony Phelan 8th Degree, Senior Master Francis Barrett 8th Degree, Master Paul Kavanagh 7th Degree and Master Robert G. Howard 7th Degree.

Congratulations to all those who were successfully promoted.

Promoter to 1st Degree Black Belt

Eamon Gilson  Rowlagh School
Niamh Herrity  Stillorgan School
Patrick Nicholson Stillorgan School
David Fallon Naas School
Cormac Mc Garry  Ck-On-Suir School

Promoted to 3rd Degree:
Mr. Richard Barber  Stillorgan School

Promoted to 6th Degree:
Mr. Stephen Doyle  Old Bawn School
Mr. Floyd Keane     St. Mark's School

We are delighted to announce the promotion to VII Degree of the RITA’s newest master, Master Robert Howard. Master Howard travelled to England to attend an International Instructors Course and Black Belt Grading conducted by Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha IX Degree. On Sunday 2nd September, having performed the final Taekwon-Do pattern, Tong-Il, and an impressive series of breaking techniques, Grand Master Rhee promoted Master Howard to VII Degree.

Master Howard makes history by not only being the youngest person to achieve the rank of 7th Degree Master Black Belt in Europe but also becoming the first family to have father and son ITF Masters.

Master Howard has put in trojan work for the RITA over the years, opening schools in Galway, Athlone, and Stillorgan, as well as working on many committees and projects. Master Howard also won a gold medal at the 1994 World Championships in Malaysia, as well as many other international awards. He was awarded the title of Best Umpire at both the World Championships in 2005 & European Championships in 2006.

Congratulations to Master Howard on this great achievement from all the Masters, Instructors and Students of the RITA.

Congratulations to the Irish Squad who won Silver and Bronze medals at the 2008 European Championships in Tallinn, Estonia. David Freeman repeated his Silver medal in the -57kg Sparring while the Male Team of Adam Fox, Leon McSherry, Mark Jordan, Joe Gill, Martin Mahoney and David Freeman won Bronze in the Team Patterns.

Click here for some photos.

Ireland picked up 2 more medals on the final day of competition at the 2005 European Championships. With literally the last two kicks of the day both the Ireland Male and Female Teams won bronze in the Team Power. The Irish Squad won 7 medals in total which was a great result.

On day one the Senior Female Team won Silver in the Team Patterns. Ross Byrne and Eimer McAneny started day two off by winning Bronze in their respective sparring sections. Deborah Manning won Silver in the Senior Female Power with Mark Pollock finishing the day with Bronze in the Senior Male Power. Congratulations to all the Squad members for their dedication and effort.

The competition was declared a great success by the AETF and the RITA would like to thank everyone involved in helping the Tournament to run so smoothly.

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.