Leo Maguire Taekwondo Classes, Crumlin

Welcome to the website for UKTC (United Kingdom Taekwon-do Council) in Northern Ireland. Whether you want to learn a martial art, keep fit, practice sparring, lose weight or just continue your TKD training, we have clubs throughout Northern Ireland.

The President for Northern Ireland ITF is Mr. Leo Maguire (VI degree) and is a member of Northern Ireland Council of Taekwondo (NICoT). Mr. Maguire is also the Northern Ireland National Coach and has brought the team to medal victories in both national and international competitions.

UKTC enjoys the position of being affiliated to the World ITF Taekwon-Do Council. UKTCNI clubs follow the ITF syllabus and are closely affiliated to Grand Master Harkess (IX degree) who is President of the World ITF Taekwon-Do Council.

TAEKWON-DO
Although the origins of the martial arts are shrouded in mystery, we consider it an undeniable fact that from time immemorial there have been physical conditions involving the use of the hands and feet for purpose of self-protection. If we ere to define these physical actions as “Taekwon- Do”, any country might claim credit for inventing Taekwon-Do. There is, however, scant resemblance between Taekwon-Do, as it is practiced today, and the crude forms of unarmed combat developed in the past.
Modern Taekwon-Do differs greatly from other martial arts. In fact, no other martial art is so advanced with regard to the sophistication and effectiveness of its technique or the over-all physical fitness it imparts to its practitioners. technically, 1955 signaled the beginning of Taekwon-Do as a formally recognized art in Korea. During that year, a special board was formed which included leading master instructors, historians, and prominent leaders of society. A number of names for the new martial art were submitted. On the 11th of April, the board summoned by Gen. Choi Hong Hi, decided on the name of Taekwon-Do which had been submitted by him. This single unified name of Taekwon-Do replaced the different and confusing terms; Dang Soo, Gong Soo, Taek Kyon, Kwon Bup, etc.

In 1959, Taekwon-Do spread beyond its national boundaries. The father of Taekwon-Do and nineteen of his top black belt holders toured the Far East. The tour was a major success, astounding all spectators with the excellence of the Taekwon-Do techniques. Many of these black belt holders such as Nam Tae Hi, President of the Asia Taekwon-Do Federation;

LITTLE TIGER CUBS
To promote the advantages of Taekwon-Do and sport in general to younger children, our ‘Little Tiger Cubs’ programme has been specifically designed to cater for children 3-5 years old. Its aim is to introduce basic martial arts skills through a mixture of simple games, fitness drills, and Taekwon-Do training. This training programme aims to assist in the physical development, improved health, and increased fitness of each child. The programme will encourage the development of motor skills, balance, endurance, flexibility, strength, and the coordination of eye, hand and foot. Through this development, each child should find greater self-confidence and self-esteem.

ACTIVE TIGERS
As a group, we have introduced ‘Active Tigers’ into our Taekwon-Do programme. Active Tigers is designed specifically to allow students aged 5-8 years to develop their Taekwon-Do skills at a more age-specific pace.

It will also allow children to progress through the grading system in a more ‘Bite-sized’ fashion, while our more formal Taekwon-Do classes and the ‘White Suit’ which goes with it, is something for students to aspire to as their skill level increases.

Our aim is to allow younger children to see real rewards for their hard work and further support each students self-confidence. It is not the suit, but the belt which signifies the students rank, therefore white Taekwon-Do dobok’s or black Active Tiger suits can be worn, however the black suit further emphasises the idea of progression in our youngest students.

SAFEGUARDING
Taekwon-Do Northern Ireland recognises it has a moral duty and legal obligation to protect the children and young people within its clubs through the creation and promotion of a safe environment which protects them from harm.

Sport has a power to be a positive influence on its students, providing the supporting structures and sporting environment that places welfare first. By implementing the Access NI Code of Conduct Taekwon-Do Northern Ireland believe that everyone in children’s sport will benefit e.g. children, parents/guardians and sports leaders.