United Kingdom Taekwon-Do Association

The United Kingdom Taekwon-Do Association (UKTA) was established in 1967 by Korean taekwondo grandmaster Ki Ha Rhee, at that time a 5th dan black belt. This was the start of taekwondo in the UK.[1] The UKTA continues to this day although several groups have splintered from it over the years. Rhee retired as President of the UKTA in 2009, but still plays a large role in the training and grading of black belts within the organisation and maintains a place on the Management Committee. The role of President passed to Senior Master Paul Cutler, 8th dan, in 2009. The UKTA is part of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) [2] founded by General Choi Hong Hi, 9th dan.[1] The UKTA has schools across the UK.[3]

The UKTA are a member association of ITF England [4], ITF Wales [5],The EITF (European ITF)[6] and are also founder members of the BTC British Taekwondo Council [7], the only Sport England recognised NGB (National Governing Body) for Taekwondo.

Many other taekwondo associations in the UK began as splinter groups which broke away from the UKTA, the most notable of which is the TAGB[8]

Contents

Management

The UKTA has a Management structure consisting of a unique 'Executive Masters Council' hand selected by the UKTA's Founder First Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha consisting 8th Dan Senior Masters, a 'Masters Council' consisting of invited 7th Dan Masters, and a Management committee. Each Senior Master of the Executive Council heads a team of the Management committee. 'President' - 'Secretary General' - 'National Secretary' - 'Tournament Director' - 'Umpire Director' - 'Education Director' - 'Technical Director' - 'Instructor Liaison' - 'Office Manager' - 'Treasurer' - 'Communications Manager' - 'Competitions Manager'

Competition

The UKTA hosts four open competitions each year: the English, Welsh, Scottish, and UK Open Championships. These competitions are open to competitors from any other associations both from the UK and elsewhere in the world. It also hold the Four Nations Championship (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) which is often combined with the annual awards celebration.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.ukta.com/history.php
  2. ^ http://www.itftkd.org/index.php?Content=NGBDetail&Country=England] Retrieved 16 January 2011
  3. ^ http://ukta.com/schools.php
  4. ^ http://www.itf-england.co.uk/members.htm] Retrieved 16th January 2011
  5. ^ http://www.itfwales.com/Pdfs/General/ITF%20Wales%20Welcome.pdf] Retrieved 16 January 2011
  6. ^ http://eitf.taekwondo.cz/?pg=countries] Retrieved 8th February 2011
  7. ^ http://www.britishtaekwondocouncil.org/members.htm] Retrieved 16 January 2011
  8. ^ http://www.ultkd.net/tkd/history.html] Retrieved 16 january 2011
  9. ^ http://www.ukta.com/competitions.php

External links