The TNZ NZ Opens certainly "opened" our eyes to the best in New Zealand. Our conclusions from the events will see us better prepared for the top comptetion in years to come.

Calling ALL members..

Training has begun. Chelsea, Hannah and Amy have their Black Belt grading this term, so we will be training hard in the hot weather. We also have a lot of self defense to practice this year, as raising personal abilities will be the aim for the year.

2009

The Welcome Bay Olympic Club is now in training for a busy year. Scheduled for this year are 3 gradings- 2 of which will have Black Belt assessments. We are also intend on  attending 6 tournaments. The tournaments are 

TNZ Open (Auckland), 

UNION North Island Champs (New Plymouth), 

TNZ Black Belt Champs (Auckland), 

Northern Region Development Tournament (Auckland- 13th September), 

UNION New Zealand Champs (Wellington), 

Northern Region Development Tournament (Matamata- 29th November).

(Red denotes attended)

Senior Belt and tournament classes started in 2009. The training days for these students is arranged on a case by case basis. Three weeks prior to a major tournament, the tournament team will join in these weekend training sessions. 

Flooring. The WBOT club trains on 20mm sponge rubber mats. The mats are firm under foot, but forgiving if you land hard. The matting is the same that is found in tournaments.

New members and visitors are always welcome to train with us, though after 3 sessions, you will be asked to join the club. 

Note: If you are currently affiliated with another club, you must seek clearance (or closure) with your current club instructor before attending ANY of our club trainings.

2008

Last night of training for 2008

The last night of training in 2008 is the 11th of December. A BBQ is planned for the 15th of December. The BBQ is to be held at the Welcome Bay Hot Pools- start time 6pm. Awards presented at 7pm.

Grading- 22nd Novemmber

The grading day will begin early for all concerned. The idea is for all members to form up at 9:20am for a whole club warm up. Grading begins at 930am.

At 12pm a BBQ will be in use to provide a light lunch after grading.

Any members of the public are welcome to watch the gradings- as long as you remain quiet and do not disturb the proceedings.

Development Tournament- 1st of November

Welcome Bay Olympic will be hosting a developmental tournament on the 1st of November. This tournament is for players of all coloured grades to "have a go". There will be NO first place, second etc., but every person who takes part will receive a certificate recognizing their participation.

Grading- 27th September (link).

The grading day began for Corey and myself at  11am. It was a tough, very physically challenging grading which left Corey and me very tired. But when an end was called, Welcome Bay Olympic Taekwondo had it's first 2nd Dan's.

At 1pm the rest of the club began grading, starting with the White belts and moving through to finish with the Red belts.

Well done everyone. A good grading, and more to come..

North Island Champs

Just click this link....   the fighters did really well.

Grading- 24th May (link).

The first grading for the Welcome Bay Olympic Taekwondo Club was always going to be a challenge and so it proved. Those who the instructors thought would struggle, sailed through. Those who looked comfortable in training came slightly unstuck at the grading. This was the way to start.

2008- In the beginning....

The Welcome Bay Taekwondo Club has been operating out of the Welcome Bay Hall in Tauranga for 27 years. It was one of the first clubs to move to the UNION.

In 2007, Rhiannon and Wendy (the Instructors) decided it was time to look to other things (Wendy had moved to Auckland). Garry Carpenter, a Black Belt with the Tauranga-Oropi Club, took the opportunity to take over the instruction of the Welcome Bay Taekwondo Club.

In 2008, the Club changed it's name by adding "Olympic" to the title. This is to show that the WTF form of taekwondo practiced at the Club is that used at Olympic competitions.

With the name change came a change in Dojang (Training Hall). The Club is now based at Selwyn Ridge Primary School- just up the hill and around the corner from the Welcome Bay Hall.

Moving into 2009, Garry and Corey (the club Instructors) have created a very good teaching and learning environment. Within the club are many families (parents and children learning together.

So come along, take part and learn a skill that will save your life- exercise is meant to be enjoyable..