It has been an exciting time to be a part of our growing Australian Taekwondo family, welcoming three new staff members to our Community Department this year. Nic Martiniello, formerly of Capital Football, will oversee the management of the Sporting Schools program, coach and referee education, and the implementation of participation initiatives under AT’s PlayWell plan, developed in collaboration with the Australia Sports Commission. Aidan Gunning joins Australian Taekwondo from Cricket ACT and will serve as the primary point of contact for the public. In his role as the National Engagement Officer, he will provide administrative support to member clubs, manage social media and communication channels, and play a role in event management. Nic Kaiser, former Chief Executive Officer of Volleyball ACT, will step into the role of Head of Community, providing leadership and oversight across membership, governance, participation, and events.
We are pleased to confirm the role of National Development Coach for Dongmin Cha as part of the Kukkiwon Global Dispatch Program. His responsibilities will span from grassroots initiatives to the National Pathways Program, contributing to the development of Taekwondo in the Oceania region. We also welcome back Ali Khalil to Australian Taekwondo as the Performance Pathway Lead. Ali will oversee the planning, coordination, and delivery of Australian Taekwondo’s Performance Pathway Program, focusing on athlete and coach development, training and competition opportunities, and technical growth across all levels in collaboration with CombatAUS.
In major news for our members, Australian Taekwondo has celebrated the signing of the MOU with Kukkiwon concerning the establishment of the Australia Kukkiwon Office. With the signing of the MOU, it is now confirmed that 5th to 7th Dan applications have been able to be processed via the Australian Kukkiwon Office as of the 1st of March 2025.
The Performance Pathway Program has successfully launched Talent Identification Camps in New South Wales and Victoria, which have started as a great success and promising outcomes. Camps in South Australia and Queensland are scheduled to take place within the month, with the remaining states to follow shortly thereafter.
We held a successful Cadet Selection Event in Canberra earlier this month which saw 167 athletes come down to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra to compete. We extend our sincere congratulations to the 20 athletes who have earned selection to represent Australia at the 2025 World Taekwondo Cadet Championships in Fujairah, UAE. In addition to our selected athletes, those who achieved second place have been invited to participate in our AIS Cadet Camp, providing them with the opportunity to further develop their skills and contribute to strengthening our national talent pool.
I would like to extend my congratulations to our incredible Para athletes who competed in the first World Para Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Manama, Bahrain. Our athletes exemplified the Australian spirit, delivering outstanding performances that filled us with immense national pride.
We extend our sincere congratulations to Joe Tamer on his esteemed appointment as a Member of the World Taekwondo (WT) Medical & Anti-Doping Committee. This prestigious achievement reflects his dedication and expertise in the field. We are proud to see him contribute to the development and advancement of Taekwondo on a global scale.
As we reach the first quarter of 2025, I acknowledge the 219 affiliated clubs who have renewed their membership with AT so far this year, as well the 10 new clubs who have joined our community. Your investment ensures the sustainability of a flourishing Taekwondo ecosystem that blends ancient traditions with contemporary perspectives to benefit present and future generations.
Yours Sincerely,
Jean Kfoury, President
