Dear Members,
As we reach the halfway point of 2024, excitement is building for our upcoming major events and initiatives.
Firstly, on behalf of the Board, we welcome Josh O'Brien to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Josh comes to Australia Taekwondo from Basketball ACT, where he held the position of Chief Operating Officer. Contact information for Josh can be found on the contact page of the Australian Taekwondo website.
Australian Taekwondo welcomed this month's announcement of the athletes selected for Australia's Olympic Team for the Paris Olympic Games. On behalf of the Australian Taekwondo Board, I'd like to congratulate Stacey Hymer (Notorious Martial Arts), Bailey Lewis (City West Taekwondo), and Leon Sejranovic (Notorious Martial Arts), who will represent their country in Paris. This accomplishment is a testament to their exceptional talent and relentless pursuit of excellence, and I have no doubt they will shine brightly on the world stage in August.
The Olympic and Paralympic Games provide state Taekwondo associations and clubs with an excellent opportunity to capitalise on increased interest, connect with new participants, and promote Taekwondo. To get ready, we're urging you to start organising now to take full advantage of the Olympic Games and the chance to boost participation and grow your membership base. Updating your digital and communication channels with up-to-date information, having a plan in place to service enquiries quickly during the Games period, running a Try Taekwondo event during or after the Games, or even hosting a Taekwondo watch party to support the Australian Team are just some of the things to consider.
Australian Taekwondo was delighted to receive a Play Well Participation Grant from the Australian Sports Commission this month. Together with partner organisation, Pink Belt Project, the grant will be used to develop a Trauma Informed Coaching Accreditation, a tailored educational product for martial arts instructors that will enhance their awareness about the impacts of violence against women and the role martial arts can play in prevention and recovery. I encourage your club to be a part of this initiative when launched.
Western Australia and Victoria will host Poomsae Seminars with the Vietnamese National Team. Presented by Australian Taekwondo's National Poomsae Performance Program in collaboration with each state association, these sessions offer students, instructors, and referees the chance to learn from and improve their skills and knowledge with the Vietnamese National Poomsae Team and visiting instructors.
The highly anticipated National Team selection for the 2024 Junior World Championships is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, at the Whitlam Leisure Centre in Liverpool, NSW. This event marks a significant milestone for our athletes as they look to represent Australia at the Junior World Championships from October 1-6, 2024, in Chuncheon, Korea.
I want to express my gratitude to our members—clubs and individuals—for their steadfast support of Australian Taekwondo. Your passion and commitment play a crucial role in the growth and success of our sport and martial art. Together, we are making significant progress in Taekwondo, and I am excited about the future. Thank you for being an essential part of this incredible journey.
Kind regards,
Jean Kfoury
President - Australian Taekwondo
