It has been an extremely busy time for us here in New Zealand! 


Special Needs Taekwon-Do Tour Demonstration Expansion Successful

Ben Evans and his demonstration team members toured the country to Hamilton and Auckland recently promoting Special Needs Taekwon-Do. The total impact is approx. 150 special needs students in 3 main areas who will soon become involved in the Special Needs Taekwon-Do Federation of New Zealand. (Photos attached).

Ben Evans then held a fun training to give the kids opportunity to take part. He then met with teachers later to discuss plans of expanding the program which they were all excited to see happen. Ben Evans will return to these schools during the year. It is extremely exciting to see schools involved in this great opportunity.

The demonstration team toured for 2 days demonstrating their great abilities. There were 4 special needs students in the team and mainstream students which increased the dynamic flow of the showcase.

The demonstration team was received extremely well and our overall summary and reflection were extremely positive moving forwards.

Ben Evans “A strong organization is one with a strong dynamic working team. It doesn’t matter how big it is, we have a quality strong, confident and competent team with a vast range of skills to help with the expanding of Special Needs Taekwon-Do in New Zealand. I can’t wait to see the future.”

 

Meeting with the Prime Minister and Deputy Opportunity

Ben Evans had the great opportunity to meet with the countries Prime Minister Hon Bill English. It wasn’t the first time he has met the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Back in 2013, the Special Needs Taekwon-Do students demonstrated their might and spirit to Hon. RT. Sir John Key.

Ben Evans met with the Prime Minister to give an update on progress and to share his book which featured John Key as a photo. It was a great opportunity to meet and continue building positive connections. Bill English was impressed by the work development and was happy for Ben Evans to promote the book with him in it.

A couple of days later Ben Evans had the opportunity to meet with the deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett where he showed his book and connection with the Prime Minister. He briefly spoke about the progress and she was quite interested to hear more. She was impressed and wished Ben Evans good luck moving forwards.

 

Further expanding of Special Needs Taekwon-Do in Hawkes Bay at a new facility

Ben Evans recently met with the Stewart Centre on the EIT (Eastern Institute of Technology). The facility is for those with a brain injury combined with a physical disability. Upon his visit, a small demonstration was given to promote Taekwon-Do. After the demonstration, a sample training was conducted for participants. At the end of the training, he then met with the management who were very interested in the program to be expanded into their system during the week. The Special Needs Taekwon-Do continues to grow and expand locally and nationally!

 

Presentation of Special Needs Taekwon-Do

Ben Evans had the great opportunity to present his story to his old High School where he still teaches weekly where the Special Needs Taekwon-Do first started. There was a total of 1000+ students and teachers present.

Ben Evans spoke about his life and how he has had a lot of challenges and barriers in the build up to what he has worked hard for with both Special Needs and the mainstream Taekwon-Do developments in Hawkes Bay.

“Put your hand up if you know what you want to do when you leave school.” Ben Evans began this as an opening line to grab all pupils’ attention.

It was a highly successful and very moving presentation which impacted on so many. It was a great opportunity to present what first started at Havelock North High School Special Needs Unit had now spread too many countries.

 

NZ-ITF Demonstration Success

Here in the Hawkes Bay ITF, we continue to work hard and promote ITF in specific areas. Our organization continues growing strong offering Taekwon-Do to various schools in the region. Ben Evans decided to offer a $450.00 scholarship to 20 extra Napier Pupils at Te Awa School (photos of demonstration Team). After the demonstration, one question was asked to 200 odd pupils “Who would like to do Taekwon-Do?” The whole room of pupils’ hands went up! He went through a selection process where students needed to trial. This was repeated at the heart of Taekwon-Do in Hawkes Bay in Flaxmere at Irongate School. Their school had over 400 pupils watching the demonstration team. From self-defense to roof tiles being broken, it was a truly dynamic performance which raised the excitement for the age group targeted. (Photo attached of demonstration team at Irongate School). Again, a selection process for the pupils at Irongate School as there’s many who would like to do it. There is high support from both principals of both schools.

There’s one further school Ben Evans met with recently this week (Hastings St Matthews School) where Taekwon-Do would be incorporated into their weekly school program. There is strong support for HBITF at targeted schools across the region. The Principal is extremely excited about the great opportunity and supports the inclusion of Taekwon-Do into their weekly program. He is open to the idea of all 140 students at the school to be a part of the program.

The scholarship includes a Taekwon-Do uniform, training for the year, sponsored by Ben Evans and supporting partners. “We are definitely not short of numbers here in Hawkes Bay ITF, but this is something I really wanted to implement to more kids as there are huge benefits for them being involved.

 

Summary

As some reading this might see, NZ-ITF and the Special Needs Taekwon-Do Federation of New Zealand continues working hard for their members and the ITF. We know there is a lot to read here and updates but as you can see our organization is growing strong and is extremely active. Providing Taekwon-Do to those who cannot usually access it is one of the strengths and strong points of NZ-ITF. We would like to thank ITF President, Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa and Secretary General, Grand Master Trevor Nicholls for their continued mentoring and support. New Zealand will be bringing a 25 strong team to Argentina is support of the World Championships. We as a nation cannot wait to witness another successful ITF World Championships with the inclusion of Special Needs Taekwon-Do. We would like to thank everyone in ITF who follows our progress and developments with support. TAEKWON!!!