About Newcastle University Tae Kwon Do

Here's where you find out all about our club. The club has been around for quite a long time now... (I will have to find out exactly how long).

We train in WTF style Tae Kwon Do (WTF - World Tae Kwon Do Federation). For those newcomers, WTF originates from South Korea, whereas the ITF (International Tae Kwon Do Federation) originates from North Korea. There are some subtle differences between the two styles, but at the end of the day we feel that Tae Kwon Do is Tae Kwon Do, so we welcome all flavours (as long as they practice WTF style with us at our club). Our National governing body is the B.T.C.B. - the British Tae Kwon Do Control Board. You can visit their website using the badge to the left. WTF style Tae Kwon Do has just debuted at the Olympics as a full sport (was a demo sport in 1996). I have yet to find out how well Great Britain did, but I'm sure I will see something from the BTCB soon.

You can find out more about Tae Kwon Do, its techniques, styles, where it originates from, etc. in the Technical Section on the menu to the left.

In 2000 we adopted a new club name, Hwarang (meaning 'The Flowering Youth'), and a new logo, as you can see at the top left of the site. The logo was designed by one of our current members, Stavros, and you'll all agree that it is quality!

Training Times and Location

Because the club is based 90% on students, our training tends to reflect that to some extent - over the summer months the attendance is quite low because everyone moves out of the area at this time.

Training times for this year:

We train at the P.E. Centre, Kings Walk. However, if you're not a member then it is pretty much impossible to just turn up and train, due to the policies currently in operation by the University. If you want to train, our club secretary must submit a form with your name, and when you wish to train, to the University, who will then approve if they see fit.

Gradings

Everyone can take a belt test at the end of each term, so they can take a maximum of 3 per year. We feel that this gives you enough time to familiarise with new techniques, and improve your existing skills. This of course relies on you coming training on a regular basis - if we feel that you have not trained enough over a term, we'll suggest that you should wait until the next grading comes round.

If you're not sure about belts/grades, what they mean, etc., please look in our technical section.

Competitions

Our club always enters a strong team in the National Student Tae Kwon Do Championships each year. These are typically held towards the end of the 2nd term, some time in March, giving everyone plenty of time to get fit and 'feel the power'.

We have also entered several other competitions over the years, but there has been nothing else on a regular basis. We shall try and remedy this over the next 1-2 years.

Other stuff

Want to see what we get up to in our spare time, who are instructors are, and other stuff?! Use the links on the left!!

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