Australian Taekwondo is proud to announce the appointment of Jerry Moraitis as the Para Technical Lead. With over four decades of experience in martial arts and a passion for inclusive, high-performance coaching, Jerry brings invaluable expertise and global connections to the role as he leads the charge in developing a world-class Para Taekwondo program.
This appointment aligns with Australian Taekwondo’s strengthened commitment to the development of Para Taekwondo in both Kyorugi and Poomsae, under the guidance of the newly formed Para Committee, which is driving forward a series of strategic initiatives to grow the sport nationwide.
As part of Australian Taekwondo’s commitment to expanding Para Taekwondo and building coaching depth, Jess Borg has taken on the role of QAS GEN32 Project Para Coach, supported through the Queensland Academy of Sport’s (QAS) Gen32 program. This partnership represents a significant step toward strengthening national coaching pathways and creating more opportunities for para athletes across the country.
Jess brings a unique perspective to the role. A former Australian taekwondo athlete, she transitioned to boxing in 2023 through the QAS GEN2032 Sport Transfer Program before retiring from elite sport in December 2024. Having started taekwondo at six years old, Jess now coaches at GMA Brisbane, where she is passionate about helping the next generation of athletes thrive. Alongside her coaching, she works as a lawyer and is a strong advocate for sport talent transfer initiatives like PARA GEN2032, which she believes can open powerful new doors for athletes.
Para Kyorugi Taekwondo in Australia has seen limited development in recent years. For Jerry, this challenge represents a meaningful opportunity: the chance to build a high-performance program from the ground up. His appointment marks the beginning of a national effort to establish a sustainable and competitive para program that nurtures athletes at every level.
The bronze medal performance of Janine Watson at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games has served as a powerful source of inspiration, igniting belief across the Australian Taekwondo community that future Paralympic success is possible. Jerry sees this as a pivotal moment — one that highlights the importance of a structured, long-term development pathway for para-athletes.
Looking ahead to Los Angeles 2028 and the Brisbane 2032 home Paralympic Games, his vision is focused on building a comprehensive athlete development system — from grassroots identification to elite competition. This includes both growing participation nationally and ensuring athletes have the support and structure needed to thrive on the world stage.
Jerry also acknowledges the significant contributions of Ben Exton, whose work has laid essential foundations for Para Taekwondo in Australia. Moving forward, he looks forward to working closely with Ben to continue building momentum and expanding opportunities for para-athletes across the country.
With extensive international coaching experience, Jerry’s résumé includes leadership roles at multiple world Para events. Most recently, he served as Head Coach for the Saudi Arabian Para Taekwondo Team at the 2024 Paralympic Games — a role that refined his high-performance approach and reinforced his belief in the transformative power of strong pathways and athlete support systems. One of Jerry’s key strengths is his extensive global network within the para sport community. His relationships with leading figures — including the Paralympic Chairperson of World Para Taekwondo, as well as national teams from South Korea, Azerbaijan, Mexico, Great Britain, and others, placing Australia in a strong position to collaborate internationally and stay aligned with global best practices.
His development strategy is both bottom-up and top-down. It aims to identify and nurture young talent at the grassroots level while also integrating experienced para-athletes and exploring talent transfers from other sports. This dual approach ensures both immediate impact and long-term sustainability.
For Jerry, this role is more than a professional milestone — it’s a passion. Having dedicated his life to Taekwondo, he is driven by a desire to see para-athletes reach their full potential and to witness the growth of the sport at every level. His leadership signals a new era for Para Taekwondo in Australia — one defined by opportunity, excellence, and inclusive success.
