The STF was supposed to discontinue its practice of sending circulars by mail from 1 January 2007. However, it did not owing to requests from a number of clubs to give them more time.
In order to encourage affiliates to be current with the use of technology for effective and fast communications, the STF has decided to be selective with the issue of circulars by mail to affiliates. All news and latest developments will be posted on this website.
For affiliate leaders who are not comfortable with the use of computers, the STF has suggested that they make some sort of arrangement with someone who can keep them updated.
The STF will stop the selective issue of circulars by mail as soon as it finds that there is no necessity for it.
Affiliates must provide the STF their email addresses if they want to be informed by email.
A series of refresher course for all national poomsae referees will be organized at the National Training Centre.
It will be held as follows.
14 April 2007 (5 – 8 pm) – for Senior Examiners
15 April 2007 (9 – 12noon) – for Examiners
21 April 2007 (5 – 8 pm) – for Special Poomsae Referees
28 April 2007 (5 – 8 pm) – for Poomsae Referees (1st and 2nd class)
5 May 2007 (5 – 8 pm) – for Poomsae Referees (3rd and 3P class)
The objectives of the course are to teach referees how to use the electronic scoring system and ensure that they maintain their competency.
Poomsae referees who are interested in the course are requested to register with Jolene or Theresa at 6345 1491 one week before the commencement of their course.
As all special poomsae referees are expected to attend the course, they are exempted from registration.
The STF will appreciate it if members who read this article can pass the information to all poomsae referees they know.
32 participants in the Poomsae Coach Course understood the importance of repetition. They practiced their poomsae diligently before and during the course. Their effort was rewarded when they took the test at the end of the course.
All of them performed confidently and passed the course. With that the Federation had brought the total of qualified coaches to 256.
The course which was completed on 1 April 2007 saw the test being specially organized to encourage teamwork. Participants were grouped in threes. Each group would decide on the poomsae they wanted to perform for the test.
Going by their performance, teamwork was well and alive. They decided on the poomsae in quick time and practiced it immediately to synchronize their movements. During the test they showed that they had what it took to compete in a poomsae competition and win!
Mr Milan Kwee, STF President, witnessed the test. Being a technical man himself, he was quick to observe that some coaches were not wearing their belt properly. That was the only down side for some of the participants.
During debrief, Mr Kwee reminded the participants the importance of wearing not only clean uniform but also uniform of the right size. He said that they were role models to their juniors. Hence, they had to conduct themselves well.
Mr Kwee also urged the participants to further improve themselves by pointing out one another’s mistakes. Although the truth hurt, it would go a long way to making the participants better persons and exponents.
18 participants who did not attend the 1 April session were automatically considered to have failed to complete the course.
The Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) plans to enlarge its pool of examiners to, among other things, give an opportunity for senior dan members to undertake a leadership position and prepare them to take on greater responsibilities.
A briefing will be conducted on Tuesday 24 April 2007 at 7.05 pm at the Secretariat for 4th dan and higher black belts who aspire to be examiners. It will be held at other venue if the response is overwhelming.
STF members who are eligible are invited to call Jolene or Theresa at 6345 1491 by Tuesday 17 April to register their interest in participating in the briefing.
The Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) plans to start a Parents’ Committee.
The primary functions of the Committee will be to help promote the sport to more children, provide leadership and resources for the development of life skills and create new initiatives and programmes that will enhance the quality of student experience with taekwondo.
If you are a parent and would like to volunteer your service in helping the STF achieve its mission of molding the next generation of responsible adults, please call Jolene or Theresa at 6345 1491 to register your interest.
The STF will arrange a meeting to launch the Committee as soon as there is sufficient response.
If you are a student, you can do us a favour by informing your parents of the invitation to be part of the Committee. However, if you are a parent, you can help us by passing the message to other parents.
The Tampines North Taekwondo Invitation Championships were successfully held on 25 and 26 March 2007. At stake was the handsome trophy – Ong Kian Min Cup.
The event attracted about 157 players from 13 clubs. It proved to be a fruitful and rewarding experience for them, the officials and spectators including supporters who were mainly family members and friends of the players.
The players certainly had much to learn from each other in term of techniques. The competition also revealed their strengths and weaknesses. For the officials, the smooth running of the event said volumes of their organizational skills. While the supporters shouted themselves hoarse, the other spectators just soaked in the electrifying atmosphere.
After the medal tally was chalked up at the end of the event, members of Tampines North CC were all smiles. And they had reasons for that. They emerged champions again with 16 gold 2 silver and 1 bronze medals! It was their second victory in as many tournaments organized.
Tampines East Zone 8 RC took the second spot with 7 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals followed closely by Changkat Zone 3 RC with 7 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals.
Said the guest of honour, Mr Ong Kian Min, the MP for Tampines GRC and Adviser to Tampines Grassroot Organisations: “I am encouraged to see so many in our community taking up the martial arts.
“Many years ago when I was a young boy, I also took up taekwondo. It is a very good discipline for young boys and girls for the training of their body, mind and discipline. If necessary, it (taekwondo) can be used for self-defence.”
Mr Ong, who witnessed some matches and a scintillating demonstration, gave away the prizes.
The event was also graced by Mr Milan Kwee, President of the STF.
It was visibly clear that Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, enjoyed the show put up by the demonstration team comprising taekwondo members from Bendemeer Secondary School and Bishan East Zone 5 RC.
He nodded with admiration as the young performers broke planks with the ease of an expert and smiled and applauded after each performance.
The occasion: Bishan East Residents’ Block Party on 24 March 2007.
Mr Wong was the Guest of Honour at the function.
All guests at the party were entertained not only by the taekwondo group but also the other performers who displayed their silat, tai chi and yoga skills. The crowd was certainly impressed with the performances.
Mr RA Jeyaraman, the Chief Instructor of Nee Soon East Zone 7 RC, felt that his poom belts needed to have more activities. So he decided to organize an Unarmed Combat Course (Level 1) with the support of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF).
The course was held on 17, 18, 24 and 25 March 2007 at Chong Pang CC. It was conducted by Mr Steven Tan Kim Hoon, a qualified unarmed combat instructor registered with the STF.
32 participants practiced diligently the various locks and escape techniques. At the end of the course, 31 took the test and only 1 did not make the grade. Successful candidates would be presented their certificates at one of the Club’s events.
Said Mr Jeyaraman: “I am happy to organize the course. Besides acquiring some new knowledge, my students know that my club offers something more.
“I am planning to run another programme for them. Of course, I will get the sanction or support of the STF. There is no point organizing a course that is not recognised by the national body, is there? I don’t want to short-change my students.”
The 1st National Poomsae Championships will be held on Sunday 17 June 2007 at Toa Payoh Sport Hall.
The tournament format will be similar to the one adopted at the 1st WTF World Poomsae Championships. This includes the use of electronic scoring system which displays the scores of judges after the completion of each performance.
The National Poomsae Tournament provides opportunities for almost everyone in taekwondo to participate competitively. There are three classes, five divisions and six categories. Age is not a barrier for anyone who wants to compete. The tournament is open to the very young and the not-so-young. Anyone holding yellow belt or higher can participate in the event.
Of course, the grade must be recognised by the Singapore Taekwondo Federation. If your grade is obtained elsewhere, then you are not eligible to participate.
Participants can benefit from the event in many ways. Here are some of them.
Top eight competitors will be awarded medals.
All participants will receive certificates of participation.
Participants can use the event to test their poomsae standard.
Participants can experience the thrill of the competition.
The entry forms and more information on the tournament are also attached.
The Singapore Taekwondo Federation will be organizing a sparring programme for poom belts on Sunday 22 April 2007 from 9.00am to 12noon at the National Training Centre.
The programme aims to help participants understand how they can improve their sparring skills through the discovery of the challenge of sparring, acceptance of their weaknesses and development of technique and skill applications.
The methodology engaged includes talks, videos and demonstrations.
The programme is useful not only for those who are going for higher poom grading or participating in the various tournaments but also those who wish to be better taekwondo exponents.
As the National Training Centre can only accommodate a limited number of participants, registration will be on a first-come first-served basis. The application form is attached.
The completed form and registration fee of $20 must reach the Secretariat by Friday 13 April 2007.
