The inaugural ITF Ireland Cup open championships will now take place on Saturday 17th April and not 20th February as previously stated. The event will take place in Waterford and more information will be available closer to the date.

From ITF HQ:

Dear Grandmasters, Masters, Instructors and all Taekwon-do practitioners,

I have come to know that GM Tran Trieu Quan is trapped in his hotel in Haiti from since the recent earthquake that struck that country. I and all my students would like to say to GM Tran's family and members of his organisation how sorry we are to this tragedy. We pray from the bottom of our hearts for the safety of GM Tran.

I hereby call upon all our ITF members under the Presidency of Prof. Dr. Chang Ung to, for once, forget the differences between our ITF and GM Tran's Taekwon-do organisation, and sincerely pray for GM Tran's safety.
Sports politics and organisational politics are only games to be played by both sides. We should recognise that we are, whether we like it or not, all Taekwon-do brothers, and GM Tran is a 2nd or 3rd generation senior since General Choi founded Taekwon-do in 1955.

Under such difficult circumstance, we simple must put down our differences, recognise the good works that GM Tran has contributed even though he is now a member of another group of Taekwon-do. He is still our brother, and a very senior one, and for that reason he deserves our prayers and concern.

All Taekwon-do practitioners, irrespective of their ranks and organisations, are important to our ITF under our President Prof. Dr. Chang Ung, IOC Member, who was personally chosen by our Taekwon-do Founder to succeed him to lead the ITF. Therefore the protective wings, and the loving care and concern, of our ITF President Prof. Dr. Chang Ung are over practitioners of all Taekwon-do styles or organisations, and that includes GM Tran Trieu Quan.

At this stage, we must be engaged in prayers and concern for GM Tran's well being as top priority. Sports politics between our two organisations should take a back sit.

*"We pray to Heaven to take good care of the safety of our Taekwon-do brother GM Tran Trieu Quan. Lord, we place the entire situation in Your hands. Lord, Your will be done."*

Yours in Taekwon-do,

Dato Prof. Dr. GM. Leong Wai Meng

Vice President of ITF

Secretary General of IMGC

The final grading of the year in Naas saw nearly all of its members growing and successfully achievhing their new grades. Eoin not only graded for the highest grade that day but won the award for his improvment & determination an inspriation to all the upcoming members.

Well done to all those students recently promoted and especially to the students that received Awards as is a great achievment. May 2010 bring lots of growth, success and Happiness to all our Brothers and sisters in Taekwon-Do.

Photo one is Ms. Keane wth Reece Sheridan 7th Kup who recieved the junior Student of the year award for all his perseverance and in following the tenents of Taekwon-Do.

Photo 2. Ms. Keane & Kevin Redmond, longest standing member of Naas who recieved Senior Student of the Year not only for his hard work and dedication in following the tenents but who will also most likely be the next Senior Black Belt to teach in our School

Side Photo. Ms. Keane with Eoin Campbell. Grading Award

Recently St. Mark’s Taekwon-Do School held a grading.  The exam was attended by students from yellow belt up to red belt with both junior and senior students aiming for promotion.  The examiner for the day was Ms. Valerie Keane 6th degree.  The day proved extremely successful with all students being successfully promoted to their next belt.  Whilst all students performed very well Ms. Keane awarded Alyssa Valencia with the “Most Progressed Student” award having developed extremely well since her last grading.  Ms. Keane congratulated all of the students on their success and told them to continue practicing.  Red belt Aidan Kelly was presented by Ms. Keane with the “Student of the Year” award.  A popular student in St. Mark’s, Aidan has displayed all the attributes of a worthy recipient of the award throughout the year in his Taekwon-Do training, attitude and also in his commitment to St. Mark’s fundraising.  A deserved winner indeed.

Congratulations to all the members of Firhouse and Old Bawn who were promoted at a recent Grading under their examiner Mr Stephen Doyle 6th Degree Black Belt. Also pictured are student of the year Eve Kinahan and most improved student Niamh O'Donnell from firhoues with their instructor Mr Mark Pollock 2nd Degree.