Next Grading’s – 31st May 2014

martial arts belts 3The next GMAC Grading’s have been re-scheduled and will take now place on Saturday 31st May 2014 according to the following schedule;

 

ITF Kids Grading                 10.30am (TBC)

Little Ninja & Kickin Kids     12 noon

ITF Taekwon-Do                  2pm

 

Please see your instructors for further details.

European Championships 2014 Report

10307426_10152492069841414_1006878647935802914_nThe 29th Senior & 20th Junior AETF European Championships were held in Riccione, Italy from 24th – 27th April.  Nineteen Black Belts from across Scotland were selected to represent Scotland at this prestigious event, including Megan Brown and Kieran Cain of our Wishaw school.

For both it was their first venture on the European Stage, both participating in Individual events, as well as Team events.  They trained hard on the run up to the event, with both training between 6 – 8 house per week as well as four hour squad session each Sunday.  As part of their preparations they also competed in Ireland in February and at the beginning of April.

Throughout the competition we tried to keep our social media up to date with their progress.  Excerpts can be found below.

 

Patterns

Megan took part in Junior Female 1st Degree Patterns, she was drawn against Ireland first round. The first pattern was Po-Eun. With decision split at 3-2 after a very good performance from both competitors. The second pattern was Kwang-Gae, again a strong start with the experienced Irish competitor edging out and taking the win.

Kieran also participated in the Junior Male 1st Degree Patterns. In his first round against Belarus, he performed well keeping his timing, and performance strong to take the match 5-0. The second round Kieran was drawn against England, both boys were sharp, with Kieran leading after the first pattern, in the second pattern he continued his form taking the bout 4-1.
Third round was up against Russia. Again good pattern with 3-2 after first, and narrowly losing at the quarter final stage to the Russian who went on to take silver.

 

Sparring

Megan was sparring in the Junior Female -60kg Sparring category. Up first round was Germany, Megan started strong, picking clean points, into the second round, again standing ahead in the points for the majority of the bout, the German fighter picked up an injury, which stopped the bout until she received treatment. As the match restarted with 1 minute to go, the German girl scored a turning kick, meaning points switched to her favour. In the last 30secs to go Megan was unable to find the points and the German girl used the opportunity to evade out the ring and take the win.
Fantastic euro debut for Megan, lots to take and practice for the next event.

Kieran was sparring in Junior Male -68kg against Ireland first round. He was out of the blocks fast against the taller opponent. A great bout from both competitors. Kieran unfortunately losing after dropping points to warnings.
Great spirit and effort once again.
(Flexibility training begins Wednesday Kieran)

 

Power

On Saturday morning Kieran was up in individual power test first competitor, on some untested boards. Unfortunately Kieran was unable to take points.

In the afternoon Megan started in junior female power, breaking the turning kick, missing the side and knife hand. Good effort.

Team Events

Both Megan and Kieran were part of the Junior Teams competing in Patterns, Sparring and Power Test.  The teams performed exceptionally well however were unfortunate to narrowly miss out on medal’s.

A special mention to Kieran also for taking his Bagpipes and playing throughout the event, rallying the moral of the team during their competition and to play whilst Katrina received her European Title.

 

Scottish Results

Congratulations to the following Scottish Medalists at the event;

 

GOLD Katrina Carr – Junior Female -45kg Sparring

SILVER – Caitlin McGhee – Junior Female Power

BRONZE – Stephanie WIllis – Senior Female Power

BRONZE – Alexander Gray – Senior Male -63kg Sparring

BRONZE – Stephanie WIllis, Rachel Morning & Rheannan Brown – Senior Female Team Power

 

The overall result for Scotland was 14th from 31 Countries.

 

These championships were a great experience and start for both young competitors and we have no doubt they will be looking to build on these performance’s over the next 12 – 18 month in preparation for the next up and coming European events;

European Cup (Budapest, Hungary) – October 2014.

World Championships 2015 (Jeslo, Italy) – May 2015.

European Championships 2015 (Glasgow, Scotland) – October 2015.

 

Please see your instructor if you wish to take part in any of these events.  The European Cup in October is open to students aged 10 years+.  With the European and World Championships being for Black Belt holders over 14 years old.

The next European’s are also on home soil, we can’t wait for these 🙂  It could be you representing your country.  The work starts now 🙂

Easter Holiday’s

EasterGMACClasses are on as normal throughout the Easter Holiday’s with the following exceptions;

Thursday 17th April – Livingston Gym Closed.

Easter Monday 21st April – All Gyms Closed with the exception of Viewpark.

We wish you all a very happy Easter Weekend.

European Championships

1470385_1442057199346920_1462621535_nTwo GMAC students have been selected to represent the ITF Scotland National Team at the up and coming AETF European Championships to be held in Riccione, Italy this April.

Megan Brown (1st Degree) and Kieran Cain (1st Degree), both from our Wishaw school will take part as part of a 20 strong team heading off to the Italian city of Riccione, for the biggest international tournament of the year.  The two talented teenagers have been selected for junior team events, as well as individual pattern, sparring & power events.

We’d like to wish them the very best of luck in their final preparations alongside the national team over the next few weeks on the run up to the event.  And we look forward to keeping up to date with their progress throughout the competition.

You can find details of the categories via the following website;  http://euro2014.pztkd.lublin.pl

414523_365914780119482_992081719_o

Megan Brown

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Kieran Cain

Grading Results – 29th March 2014

IMG_1066GMAC held their latest grading day on Saturday 29th March.  First up were our Little Ninja & Kickin Kid Students, with our Taekwon-Do students in the afternoon.

We are happy to announce the following promotions;

 

Little Ninja’s

Promoted to Nifty Ninja (Yellow Belt);

Nathan Cowan & Robbie McGaw

Promoted to Speedy Ninja (Orange Belt); 

Ethan McAvoy, Hayley Potts & Kevin Williams

Promoted to Cool Ninja (Green Belt);

Kyle Walker & Owen Phelan

Promoted to Super Ninja (Blue Belt);

Jack Pllu

Promoted to Top Ninja (Purple Belt);

Sophie Hunter, Diya Babu & Hayden Gilmour

 

Kickin Kids

 

Promoted to Quick Kicker (Yellow Belt);

Courtney Murphy

Promoted to Speed Kicker (Orange Belt);

Alexander Skwierz

Promoted to Cool Kicker (Green Belt);

Dylan McMaster & Evan Kelman

Promoted to Super Kicker (Blue Belt);

Sam Jones, Charlie Harkin, Lachlan Clark & Kelbie Mabon

Promoted to Top Kicker (Purple Belt);

Connor Hall

Promoted to Ace Kicker (Brown Belt);

Callum Bruce

Promoted to Premier Kicker (Red Belt);

Katie Gracie, Alisha Freeland, Carmen McCormick & Kyle Yilmaz

Promoted to Champion Kicker (6th Kup);

Declan McAvoy, Ben Snodgrass, Jack Durie. Cameron Sanders & Carmen Cole

 

Taekwon-Do 

 

Promoted to 9th Kup;

Iona Jessop

Promoted to 6th Kup;

Samuel McKenna & Lewis Fern

Promoted to 3rd Kup;

Hayden McAvoy

Promoted to 1st Kup;

Rebecca Burns

 

 

2014 Annual Awards Evening – 29th November

1960999_10152263565148919_1554378048_oSaturday 29th November @ The Hilton, Bellshill

This year we are holding an annual awards evening to celebrate the success of our students in 2014.  The event will be a formal evening (Black Tie), with 3-course meal, awards ceremony and our Christmas dance, as well as a raffle.

Although the event is some time away we already have a large interest in those wishing to purchase tickets for the biggest event on our calendar.  As such we will be opening ticket sales from 1st April.

Tickets are priced at £30 for those aged 13 years and over (adults), for those under 12 years (children) tickets will be £15.  These will be sold on a first come first served basis.  We understand that it may be a lot to pay out in one go if you have a family of four wishing to come along, we will offer as a £10 deposit per ticket, with the balance being due by August.

Tickets are limited.  Don’t miss out.  Please see your instructor for tickets as soon as possible.

Menu Options can be found below (vegetarian option is also available however details will be given nearer the time)

 

Meal Option’s – Children’s Menu (12 years & under)

Starters

Cheese on Toast (v)

Soup of the Day (v)

Fresh Fruit Platter with Raspberry Sauce (v)

Main Courses

Beef Burger with Fries


Chicken Nuggets with Fries

Fish Fingers with Fries & Baked Beans

Desserts

Ice Cream Selection (vanilla, Chocolate & Strawberry)


Chocolate Pudding & Chocolate Sauce

Fresh Fruit Salad

—-

Adults Menu (13 years & over)

 

Starter


Red Pepper Soup

Served with Green Pesto and a bread roll

Main Courses

Roast Turkey Breast & Trimmings
Served with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, Root Vegetables, Brussels Sprouts and Pan Gravy

Or

Sirloin Steak
Served with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, Root Vegetables, and Madeira Jus

Dessert

Fruits of the Forrest Pavlova
Served with Butter Caramel Sauce

Or

Chocolate Tart
Served with Cognac Sauce

 

***Special Rates for Room’s***

Double Room £70.00 Bed & Breakfast
Family rooms £90.00 Bed & Breakfast

 

You need to call the hotel direct and press for conference and events or dial 01698 395 643 and quote that you are attending the Awards Dinner.
The office is open between Monday and Friday 8 – 6 for bookings.

Out with this if you call central reservations they cannot see the conference bookings system so therefore cannot offer the special Event Rate.

ITF Scotland National Championships – 13th April 2014.

Scottish 2014_Poster

The 2014 ITF Scotland National Championships will take place at The Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, Motherwell on Sunday 13th April.

The competition is open to all ITF Taekwon-Do students from 10th Kup to 6th Degree.

This year ITF Scotland have introduced a new format to competitions, with changes to the age spread.  the competition will be split into the following age categories;  7 years & under, 8 – 10 years, 11 – 13 years, 14 – 17 years, 18 – 35 years and over 36 years.  As always these will be further split into Beginner (white/yellow belt), Intermediate (green/blue belt) and Advanced (red/black belt).

 

Application Forms can be found below – closing date for all applications is 1st April.

 

 

Scottish 2014_Poster

2014 ITFS National Champs – Ind Entry

2014 ITFS National Champs – School Sheet