The National Championships Report
On the 6th October the South Island team gradually assembled
itself in Wellington after many trips to the airport and ferry
terminal to collect members who were arriving at different
times. Weigh in was the first official event, and despite
many people being nervous about being overweight most people
completed it successfully the first time round. At weigh in
we were able to get our first look at the huge stadium and
imagined all those seats filled with spectators.
Forming up in the Queens Wharf events centre with around
350 competitors and officials on Saturday morning was a little
intimidating. Competing was even more scary, especially with
the TV cameras watching - it must have been worst for the
black belts who competed in the raised centre ring that was
the centre of attention. Patterns were competed first and
competitors were proudly displaying their first medals by
the time the exciting sparring matches beginning later in
the afternoon.
In the evening most of the team attended the formal dinner
where we had the privilege of hearing Grand Master Sereff
(IX dan) speak. He told some very interesting and funny stories
about his memories of General Choi and the beginnings of ITFNZ,
with some funny photos of the young Master Mcphail. The awards
dinnere ended early enough for us all to get a good night's
sleep before the next day's competition.
Sparring continued bright and early in the morning, followed
by some very impresive power tests from some of the senior
members of the team. The team sparring was the last event
of the weekend and the competitors began to go all out and
we got to see some really impressive displays.
Although the South Island team was slightly smaller than
last year we came away with more medals - well done everyone,
and thanks to the coaches who got us up to such a high standard.
As always there were a few minor disasters, like the flat
tyre on the van when we were running to the airport on Monday
morning, and having to leave the Christchurch contingent stranded
in Wellington airport after their flight was cancelled. However
on the whole the weekend ran very smoothly (thank you very
much to all the management!) and the managers were very impressed
by not having to make any trips to A and E this year! The
event was well run in a great venue, and some people even
said it was almost as good as the legendary Dunedin nationals.....
See you next year in Manukau!
Helen Caley
5th gup, Otago University
Regional Team Fundraising & Raffle Results
The team would like to thank all the business for the sponsorship
and for donating products for our team to use as a prize in
our fundraising activities. The team ran several raffles and
a two housie nights, one in Christchurch and one in Dunedin
with the prizes donated to us, which helped raise over $4,000
for the team!!!!
Congratulation to the winners of the Regional Raffle:
First Prize: Epson CX5900 Printer/Copier/Fax donated by Epson
New Zealand
Winner: Estelle Speirs, Dunedin
Second Prize: Gold Cufflinks, donated by Eric Wilson Jewellers,
Christhchurch
Winner: Dirk Coster, Christchurch
Third Prize: Handmade Soap donated by Lush, Christchurch
Winner: Corley White, Mosgiel
2006 Regional Team Camp and Team
Named
On the weekend of the 26-27 August 2006 the South Island
had its first ever complete team training and selection weekend
for the Regional Team that will compete at this years ITFNZ
Taekwon-Do National Championships in Wellington on 7-8
October 2006.
The team formed up with the Coach Mr Neil Kettings in
front ready for training.
The team training was very successful with the successful
team members and their positions available to be viewed here.
This was also the first time that the South Island, the largest
Region by land area, has been able to get the team event members
together to practice the team events, especially the team
pattern, before meeting the day before the tournament.
The weekend also consisted of sparring training conducted
by Mr Kettings and Mr Ramsay, and a patterns class conducted
by the Patterns Coach Mr Kris Herbison.
 
Mr Campbell Gold and Miss Natasha Kettings practcing for
the Power Test.
Photos curtsey of Mr Alan Wright of the Riccarton
Club.
Mr David McCarthy and Mr Wayne Burt during sparring training
Good luck to the team!
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