The next GMAC Grading’s have been re-scheduled and will take now place on Saturday 31st May 2014 according to the following schedule;
ITF Kids Grading 10.30am (TBC)
Little Ninja & Kickin Kids 12 noon
ITF Taekwon-Do 2pm
Please see your instructors for further details.
The 29th Senior & 20th Junior AETF European Championships were held in Riccione, Italy from 24th – 27th April. Nineteen Black Belts from across Scotland were selected to represent Scotland at this prestigious event, including Megan Brown and Kieran Cain of our Wishaw school.
For both it was their first venture on the European Stage, both participating in Individual events, as well as Team events. They trained hard on the run up to the event, with both training between 6 – 8 house per week as well as four hour squad session each Sunday. As part of their preparations they also competed in Ireland in February and at the beginning of April.
Throughout the competition we tried to keep our social media up to date with their progress. Excerpts can be found below.
Patterns
Megan took part in Junior Female 1st Degree Patterns, she was drawn against Ireland first round. The first pattern was Po-Eun. With decision split at 3-2 after a very good performance from both competitors. The second pattern was Kwang-Gae, again a strong start with the experienced Irish competitor edging out and taking the win.
Kieran also participated in the Junior Male 1st Degree Patterns. In his first round against Belarus, he performed well keeping his timing, and performance strong to take the match 5-0. The second round Kieran was drawn against England, both boys were sharp, with Kieran leading after the first pattern, in the second pattern he continued his form taking the bout 4-1.
Third round was up against Russia. Again good pattern with 3-2 after first, and narrowly losing at the quarter final stage to the Russian who went on to take silver.
Sparring
Megan was sparring in the Junior Female -60kg Sparring category. Up first round was Germany, Megan started strong, picking clean points, into the second round, again standing ahead in the points for the majority of the bout, the German fighter picked up an injury, which stopped the bout until she received treatment. As the match restarted with 1 minute to go, the German girl scored a turning kick, meaning points switched to her favour. In the last 30secs to go Megan was unable to find the points and the German girl used the opportunity to evade out the ring and take the win.
Fantastic euro debut for Megan, lots to take and practice for the next event.
Kieran was sparring in Junior Male -68kg against Ireland first round. He was out of the blocks fast against the taller opponent. A great bout from both competitors. Kieran unfortunately losing after dropping points to warnings.
Great spirit and effort once again.
(Flexibility training begins Wednesday Kieran)
Power
On Saturday morning Kieran was up in individual power test first competitor, on some untested boards. Unfortunately Kieran was unable to take points.
In the afternoon Megan started in junior female power, breaking the turning kick, missing the side and knife hand. Good effort.
Team Events
Both Megan and Kieran were part of the Junior Teams competing in Patterns, Sparring and Power Test. The teams performed exceptionally well however were unfortunate to narrowly miss out on medal’s.
A special mention to Kieran also for taking his Bagpipes and playing throughout the event, rallying the moral of the team during their competition and to play whilst Katrina received her European Title.
Scottish Results
Congratulations to the following Scottish Medalists at the event;
GOLD – Katrina Carr – Junior Female -45kg Sparring
SILVER – Caitlin McGhee – Junior Female Power
BRONZE – Stephanie WIllis – Senior Female Power
BRONZE – Alexander Gray – Senior Male -63kg Sparring
BRONZE – Stephanie WIllis, Rachel Morning & Rheannan Brown – Senior Female Team Power
The overall result for Scotland was 14th from 31 Countries.
These championships were a great experience and start for both young competitors and we have no doubt they will be looking to build on these performance’s over the next 12 – 18 month in preparation for the next up and coming European events;
European Cup (Budapest, Hungary) – October 2014.
World Championships 2015 (Jeslo, Italy) – May 2015.
European Championships 2015 (Glasgow, Scotland) – October 2015.
Please see your instructor if you wish to take part in any of these events. The European Cup in October is open to students aged 10 years+. With the European and World Championships being for Black Belt holders over 14 years old.
The next European’s are also on home soil, we can’t wait for these 🙂 It could be you representing your country. The work starts now 🙂
Classes are on as normal throughout the Easter Holiday’s with the following exceptions;
Thursday 17th April – Livingston Gym Closed.
Easter Monday 21st April – All Gyms Closed with the exception of Viewpark.
We wish you all a very happy Easter Weekend.
Two GMAC students have been selected to represent the ITF Scotland National Team at the up and coming AETF European Championships to be held in Riccione, Italy this April.
Megan Brown (1st Degree) and Kieran Cain (1st Degree), both from our Wishaw school will take part as part of a 20 strong team heading off to the Italian city of Riccione, for the biggest international tournament of the year. The two talented teenagers have been selected for junior team events, as well as individual pattern, sparring & power events.
We’d like to wish them the very best of luck in their final preparations alongside the national team over the next few weeks on the run up to the event. And we look forward to keeping up to date with their progress throughout the competition.
You can find details of the categories via the following website; http://euro2014.pztkd.lublin.pl
Megan Brown
Kieran Cain
GMAC held their latest grading day on Saturday 29th March. First up were our Little Ninja & Kickin Kid Students, with our Taekwon-Do students in the afternoon.
We are happy to announce the following promotions;
Promoted to Nifty Ninja (Yellow Belt);
Nathan Cowan & Robbie McGaw
Promoted to Speedy Ninja (Orange Belt);
Ethan McAvoy, Hayley Potts & Kevin Williams
Promoted to Cool Ninja (Green Belt);
Kyle Walker & Owen Phelan
Promoted to Super Ninja (Blue Belt);
Jack Pllu
Promoted to Top Ninja (Purple Belt);
Sophie Hunter, Diya Babu & Hayden Gilmour
Promoted to Quick Kicker (Yellow Belt);
Courtney Murphy
Promoted to Speed Kicker (Orange Belt);
Alexander Skwierz
Promoted to Cool Kicker (Green Belt);
Dylan McMaster & Evan Kelman
Promoted to Super Kicker (Blue Belt);
Sam Jones, Charlie Harkin, Lachlan Clark & Kelbie Mabon
Promoted to Top Kicker (Purple Belt);
Connor Hall
Promoted to Ace Kicker (Brown Belt);
Callum Bruce
Promoted to Premier Kicker (Red Belt);
Katie Gracie, Alisha Freeland, Carmen McCormick & Kyle Yilmaz
Promoted to Champion Kicker (6th Kup);
Declan McAvoy, Ben Snodgrass, Jack Durie. Cameron Sanders & Carmen Cole
Promoted to 9th Kup;
Iona Jessop
Promoted to 6th Kup;
Samuel McKenna & Lewis Fern
Promoted to 3rd Kup;
Hayden McAvoy
Promoted to 1st Kup;
Rebecca Burns
Saturday 29th November @ The Hilton, Bellshill
This year we are holding an annual awards evening to celebrate the success of our students in 2014. The event will be a formal evening (Black Tie), with 3-course meal, awards ceremony and our Christmas dance, as well as a raffle.
Although the event is some time away we already have a large interest in those wishing to purchase tickets for the biggest event on our calendar. As such we will be opening ticket sales from 1st April.
Tickets are priced at £30 for those aged 13 years and over (adults), for those under 12 years (children) tickets will be £15. These will be sold on a first come first served basis. We understand that it may be a lot to pay out in one go if you have a family of four wishing to come along, we will offer as a £10 deposit per ticket, with the balance being due by August.
Tickets are limited. Don’t miss out. Please see your instructor for tickets as soon as possible.
Menu Options can be found below (vegetarian option is also available however details will be given nearer the time)
Meal Option’s – Children’s Menu (12 years & under)
Starters
Cheese on Toast (v)
Soup of the Day (v)
Fresh Fruit Platter with Raspberry Sauce (v)
Main Courses
Beef Burger with Fries
Chicken Nuggets with Fries
Fish Fingers with Fries & Baked Beans
Desserts
Ice Cream Selection (vanilla, Chocolate & Strawberry)
Chocolate Pudding & Chocolate Sauce
Fresh Fruit Salad
—-
Adults Menu (13 years & over)
Starter
Red Pepper Soup
Served with Green Pesto and a bread roll
Main Courses
Roast Turkey Breast & Trimmings Served with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, Root Vegetables, Brussels Sprouts and Pan Gravy
Or
Sirloin Steak Served with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, Root Vegetables, and Madeira Jus
Dessert
Fruits of the Forrest Pavlova Served with Butter Caramel Sauce
Or
Chocolate Tart Served with Cognac Sauce
***Special Rates for Room’s***
Double Room £70.00 Bed & Breakfast
Family rooms £90.00 Bed & Breakfast
You need to call the hotel direct and press for conference and events or dial 01698 395 643 and quote that you are attending the Awards Dinner.
The office is open between Monday and Friday 8 – 6 for bookings.
Out with this if you call central reservations they cannot see the conference bookings system so therefore cannot offer the special Event Rate.
The 2014 ITF Scotland National Championships will take place at The Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, Motherwell on Sunday 13th April.
The competition is open to all ITF Taekwon-Do students from 10th Kup to 6th Degree.
This year ITF Scotland have introduced a new format to competitions, with changes to the age spread. the competition will be split into the following age categories; 7 years & under, 8 – 10 years, 11 – 13 years, 14 – 17 years, 18 – 35 years and over 36 years. As always these will be further split into Beginner (white/yellow belt), Intermediate (green/blue belt) and Advanced (red/black belt).
Application Forms can be found below – closing date for all applications is 1st April.
The next GMAC Black Belt Pre-Test will take place at GMAC Martial Arts, Livingston at 12noon on Saturday 22nd March.
All those wishing to go forward for the Black Belt Grading on 10th May must attend a pre-test in advance.
Applications must be submitted on or before 16th March. See your instructor for forms.