Entries for the 2014 Auckland North Regional Kids Camp themed "Camp Awesome" opened last week! We caught up with camp organiser Mrs Sonya Robinson to find out more about the camp and what's in store for the kids ...

How are you involved in the camp?
I’m organising it this year, with assistance from Mrs Shirley Pygott. The Auckland North Regional Kids Camp is in its 5th year and I have been heavily involved in several of those camps (having instigated the camp as Auckland North Regional Director in 2009).

Where and when is the camp being held?
It’s being held at Mangawhai Heads at the Campbell Park Christian Camp from 10-12 October. The camp has really great facilities – each cabin even has its own bathroom! We’ll be able to have fun and train in any weather as it's lovely outside, but there is also a hall and a lounge if the weather turns in.

What can kids expect?
The camp has a really awesome atmosphere with cabins working together as teams and lots of cool prizes throughout the camp. There will be lots of games and fun and four VERY special guest instructors who are experts in their fields and are sure to inspire the kids in their training. Much more than that I can’t say as there are some awesome surprises planned that we don’t want to spoil!!

What’s the food going to be like?
There will be a LOT of food – the camp is really well catered and we make sure everyone is well nourished and hydrated all through the day. We’re also able to cater for any special dietary requirements (which you need to put on your application form).

What have some of the highlights been from previous years?
The concert on the Saturday night is always amazing – it’s incredible what some of the kids come up with! It’s also just awesome seeing the kids getting to meet other kids from the region, making new friends and having a great time together.

Who can come to the camp?
This camp is so much fun for kids aged 5-14 years of age. Under 8’s need to come with a parent or guardian. There is also a “day stay” option on the Saturday which suits some younger kids, whose parents can come in and drop them off in the morning and collect them later in the day.

Why should kids register for the camp?
They will just have so much fun! They will learn a lot about Taekwon-Do, get inspired, learn a lot about themselves and have a fun time at the same time. They get to meet so many great people and experience instruction from some really respected Taekwon-Do practitioners while having an absolute ball. I’m involved again this year because it’s just so good and I always have heaps of fun myself!

Keen to register for the camp? Spaces are limited and the camp almost always sells out! Make sure you get your application form and payment in to the organisers by Friday 26 September (sooner if you want to secure your spot). All the details you need are on the form below.

Dear Members,

This week we feature Warrior instructor, Mr Matthew Chan (pictured winning the gold medal in special technique at the 2011 Junior World Championships).

Staff Profile - Mr Matthew Chan
Matthew Chan started training in 2006 and earned his 1st degree black belt in 2010. In 2011 he represented New Zealand at the 2011 Junior World Championships, winning gold in individual patterns and special technique and two silvers in team events. No surprise, then, that his favourite disciplines are patterns and special technique! Mr Chan loves motivating and inspiring people to achieve more than they dreamed that they could. He is currently studying mechatronics engineering at university.

Mr Chan teaches Taekwon-Do on Fridays afternoons and assists the Monday and Wednesday mini kids classes.

Entries Are Open for "Camp Awesome" 
Are you keen for your kids to have heaps of fun, be inspired and learn from some incredible guest instructors? Entries have now opened for the long anticipated Auckland North Regional Kids Camp themed "Camp Awesome"! The camp is from 10-12 October and almost always sells out because it is just so good - so get your application form and payment into the organisers ASAP to secure a spot for your child. We already have some Warrior kids signed up for the camp already! Application form here or pick one up from the noticeboard.

Taekwon-Do News From Around the World
The latest "Taekwon-Do Generation" online magazine is now out. This is the international magazine for ITF practitioners from all corners of the world. Check out page 98 for the interview with Master McPhail about Taekwon-Do in New Zealand.

Important Letters
Last week we began distributing some very important letters for most of our members outlining some membership changes which come into force from October. If you weren't at training last week there will be one for you this week. If you have a child training at Warrior, please make sure you ask for the letter from your child.

Have a great training week!


Best wishes,


Rachel Bates
Manager 

Dear Members,

This week we begin featuring profiles of our 9 awesome Warrior Taekwon-Do staff members in our newsletters. 

Staff Profile: 
Mrs Sonya Robinson, 4th Degree Black Belt
Mrs Robinson started Taekwon-Do in 2001, grading to 1st Dan in 2004, 2nd Dan in 2007, 3rd Dan in 2009 and 4th Dan in November last year. In 2008 she had a mid-life adventure at the ITF World Cup in Italy, winning gold medals in female 2nd Dan patterns (36-45 years) and female black belts sparring (50kgs and over, 36-45 years) and Best Overall Black Belt in the 36-45 years age group.

Mrs Robinson has been very involved in the wider Taekwon-Do community, serving as Auckland North Regional Director from 2008-2013. Mrs Robinson loves teaching Taekwon-Do to students of all ages and is also a personal trainer, pre-school music and movement presenter and Zumba instructor! Health and fitness is her passion (as well as her husband and two teenage children, travel, dancing and dark chocolate).

Mrs Robinson currently instructs mini kids on Mondays and Wednesdays, juniors at 5:30pmon Tuesdays and Thursdays and assistant instructs the senior 6:30pm class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Important Letters
There are some very important letters for most of our members being given out at the end of classes this week which outline some membership changes which come into force from October. Please make sure you pick yours up and ask for the letter from your child.

Competition Club
The Warrior Taekwon-Do Club has had three awesome trainings so far on Friday nights at6.30pm. If you are yellow belt and above and keen to improve your competition skills, make sure you apply to join! Members who are working towards the next Under 18 Tournament in October would find this focused training beneficial.

Have a great training week!
    

Best wishes,



Rachel Bates
Manager 

Dear Members,

Our next round of gradings are coming up again so it's time to start thinking about putting some extra work into getting ready.

Remember that we now have an "Open Gym" on Wednesday nights (6.30pm) which is there for anyone wanting to do a bit of extra practice. We have instructors available to assist and of course plenty of space to train. (You may have noticed that Crossfit are no longer using the back of our dojang, which gives us more space to spread out!)

Mini Kids Grading
Grading: Thursday 18th September (second to last week of the school term). The grading will be at Warrior Training Zone, Ellerslie, arrive by 3.45pm, start at 4pm.

There will be no normal classes held that day. We expect to finish some time after 6 pm.

Pre-gradings will be conducted in normal class times in the weeks leading up to the grading. 

To be able to grade, all mini-kids must complete the relevant pages in their workbook and have it signed off by their instructor. Other requirements to grade include knowing the syllabus and having good attendance and attitude during class.

Once your instructor has given you permission to grade you will be handed a grading application form. 

Cut off for grading forms to be received and paid: Friday 12th September.

Colour Belt Grading
Grading: Thursday 23 October, 6pm.

Pre-gradings will be conducted in normal class times in the weeks leading up to the grading.

Cut off for grading forms to be received and paid: Friday 17th October.

We will still hold normal mini-kids classes at 3.30pm and 4.30 pm. 

This is the last colour belt grading for Warrior this year so train hard throughout the school holidays to get ready for it. 

As we did last time, grading forms will not be handed out to everyone - rather, you will be given a grading form by your instructor, when your instructor is satisfied that you are ready to grade.

Class Cancellations
As above, all classes are cancelled on Thursday 18 September for the mini kids grading. Anyone normally attending a class on that day is welcome to attend a class at the same time on a different day during that week.

Other Events
Kids - there are various camps and tournaments being organised especially for you! First up is the Under 18 Tournament held at Wesley College in South Auckland. This is a great event and especially suitable for our colour belts.

The 3rd Pee Wee tournament is being held back in Pukekohe on 16th November. Those who attended the last one will tell you what an awesome tournament this is. It is open to mini kids and colour belt kids and is the place for our kids to experience what a tournament is like in a completely safe environment. 

If tournaments aren't your thing then there are two awesome kids camps to choose from. TheAuckland Kids Camp is being held on the weekend of 10-12 October and is limited to 60 kids. First in, first served.

The National Kids Camp is in November and held near Tauranga. It is the 12th annual Kids camp and is heavily subsidised by ITKD - only $20 to attend!!

You can register for all these events via the itkd website: www.itkd.co.nz. You need your membership number to register so if you are unsure of that please email us.

Have a great training week!


Best wishes,



Rachel Bates
Manager 

Dear Members,

There's so much happening in the second half of 2014 - our next mini kids and colour belt gradings (which we will be releasing information about very soon), some AWESOME kids camps and other events being announced regularly on the ITKD calendar.  Friday night training for the Warrior Taekwon-Do Competition Club is also starting for term 3, and it's a great time for anyone new to Competition Club to apply. Make sure you check out the info below and apply to join if you fit the criteria and are committed to improving your competition skills.  

Competition Club Kicks Off Again For Term 3
When: Fridays at 6:30pm
Where: 198 Marua Rd
Minimum commitment: One term 
Eligibility: Yellow belts (8th gup) and above only of any age, by application only

The Warrior Taekwon-Do Competition Club is designed to help athletes prepare for upcoming competitions in all the competition disciplines - sparring, patterns, power, specialty, team patterns, and prearranged. We train together as a team and attend competitions together. The club is open to any coloured belt who is yellow belt and above committed to improving their competition performance.

Competition club members prepare to compete in a wide range of competitions and tournaments on offer in New Zealand and around the world - from club level Pee Wee tournaments for under 12s right through to the world's most prestigious international ITF Taekwon-Do event, the ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships.

Entry is by online application or directly to Miss Giles or Miss Jaduram. Please direct questions about Competition Club to Miss Giles or Miss Jaduram and submit your online application here.

Have a great training week!
    

Best wishes,


Rachel Bates
Manager