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October Edition 2017

Meath TKD

As we head into winter those participating in outdoor sports may now be looking to find a sporting activity indoors. We caught up with Meath Taekwon-Do which is very popular among local residents and has been based inside St Josephs Mercy School for a number of years. We have high hopes to have something available here in Johnstown one day and perhaps TKD might be a room filler?

Keith Matthews is 4th Dan with more than 20 years’ experience training at Taekwon-Do which is the Korean art of self-defence originated in the 1940's and developed through the 50’s.

"In 1989 my first instructor was Mr Gerard McCellan and we trained on Flower Hill"

“I founded Meath TKD in 2010 to both promote ITF TKD since there was no club in Navan and also to further my own development having started at 2nd Dan and have since progressed to my current 4th Dan."

We’ve now established a firm base here at the gym in St Josephs, Mercy School, the class sizes and numbers are growing steadily for the past 6 years with over 60 current members aged 4 to 50+.

Meeting every Monday and Wednesday Keith is assisted by three senior and three junior class instructors with grading taking place regularly for the 10 colour belts, white to black tags.

"Being one of the more dynamic and sport orientated martial arts, it encompasses self-defence, self-discipline, builds self-esteem and confidence, fitness and respect."

Safety is paramount at all times since the sport is contact based for junior and senior level and appropriate to their age and ability.

Class sizes are kept small with 20 to 30 students in the 4 to 7 year ‘Little Dragons’ group, x30 in Junior, and x20 in Adult classes.

Affiliated to both the Irish National TKD Association and the International TKD Federation Students of Meath TKD successfully compete at both national and international level making frequent appearances at competitions in Dublin, Waterford, Cork and as far afield as Barcelona where we’ve frequently competed.

Classes

Sessions are age and ability graded:

Little Dragons - Wed 6pm to 7pm
Juniors - Mon and Wed 7pm to 8pm
Seniors- Mon and Wed 8pm to 9pm

Little Dragons

Patterns

Patterns are choreographed sets of movements that combine a series of these individual attacking or defensive maneuvers. Students commit these to memory and they form the basis for progressing through grading exams for coloured belts and tags.

As students progress then the patterns get more complicated and involve solo or Team performances.

Sparring

Sparring is often fast and furious with Judges awarding points for connections on target.

The combination of Punching and Kicking is one of the distinguishing features of the Taekwon Do Martial Art.

Video's of the students can be seen on the Facebook Page.

Special Technique

As the name suggests this challenges the student's capabilities to kick or jump high.

Power Breaking

Physical strength and technique is challenged by breaking real timber sheets.

Video's of the students can be seen on the Facebook Page.

Competitors.

Students are encouraged to enter into the categories appropriate to their Age and Grade for Sparring, Patterns, Special Techniques and for the more advanced there is also Power Breaking.

Meath TKD students returning to class to display their medals from a recent competition.

Initially students learn how to perform various stances, kicks, punches and blocks.

What the Parents Say:

“Our son started in Little Dragons 3 years ago. He absolutely loves TKD and has progressed to become an orange belt in Juniors. It has really improved his strength, flexibility and focus.

Keith is an excellent instructor who has a great relationship with his students and we’d definitely recommend his club to others”.

LISA

Opportunities for parent participation.

“My daughter has been going to it since June 2013, she's now a blue tag. My son started in February and he loves it too.

They've both made a lot of friends and so have I. The competitions are great especially when winning. Under 12s always get a medal for taking part which means everyone brings back something.

For Leah Taekwondo has built her strength and is bringing her out of her shell”.

KIFA

Plenty of opportunities to practice.

"My son has been going to Meath TKD for 4 years now and is about to grade for his blue belt. His con-fidence in himself and ability to concentrate and accept discipline has grown over the years and he has made many great friends through this sport.

My daughter has been attending the little dragons class since the age of 5 and at 7 moved up to the junior class. Her confidence in herself grows weekly and she is inspired by the older kids in the class to achieve her goals and reach her potential. I believe self defence is an essential life skill in today's world and would recommend the club to anyone."

JESSICA