What should you look for when choosing a Martial Art or other sport for your child?
There are many martial arts and other activities available today. Some will appeal to a particular child (or adult) more than others. What should you look for when trying to select one? There are a number of things that should be foremost in your mind.
Is the instructor qualified in their own art?
The instructors at Rosetta Taekwondo hold black belt qualifications granted by the World Taekwondo Headquarters in Korea (Taekwondo is a Korean martial art). Ask any instructor about their qualifications in their chosen art.
Who is their master?
All martial arts have the notion of ‘Masters’ – senior, highly respected instructors. Look for your instructor to have trained under someone from the country of origin of their art. For Rosetta Taekwondo our chief instructor is Master TW Shin, 8th Dan. His instructor was Grandmaster Kim Soon Bae, 9th Dan, Vice-president of the World Taekwondo Federation and author of its official textbook.
Are they qualified to teach?
Being qualified in a martial art means that you are skilled in practice but does not mean that you can teach it. Look for a recognised coaching qualification from your instructor. The instructors at Rosetta Taekwondo hold the Award in Coaching Studies, a level 2 qualification awarded by Coaching NI and recognised by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland.
Do the instructors belong to a respected organisation?
It is surprisingly easy to create your own martial arts organisation and set yourself up as the head of it. Sports Council recognition is one way of being more certain that you are joining a reputable organisation. Phone the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and ask them about their recognised governing body for the martial art in question. Rosetta Taekwondo is part of the United Taekwondo Association, one of the constituent bodies of the Taekwondo Association of Northern Ireland, the only Taekwondo body recognised by the Sports Council.
Does their organisation have a child protection policy?
It is vitally important that anyone who will be instructing your child is aware of, and follows, the child protection policy of their organisation. If the organisation does not have a policy, the instructor is not aware of it or does not follow it then alarm bells should ring. Paul Donnelly of Rosetta Taekwondo is the child protection officer for the Taekwondo Association of Northern Ireland and is in regular contact with both the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and NSPCC.
Is the instructor qualified in their own art?
The instructors at Rosetta Taekwondo hold black belt qualifications granted by the World Taekwondo Headquarters in Korea (Taekwondo is a Korean martial art). Ask any instructor about their qualifications in their chosen art.
Who is their master?
All martial arts have the notion of ‘Masters’ – senior, highly respected instructors. Look for your instructor to have trained under someone from the country of origin of their art. For Rosetta Taekwondo our chief instructor is Master TW Shin, 8th Dan. His instructor was Grandmaster Kim Soon Bae, 9th Dan, Vice-president of the World Taekwondo Federation and author of its official textbook.
Are they qualified to teach?
Being qualified in a martial art means that you are skilled in practice but does not mean that you can teach it. Look for a recognised coaching qualification from your instructor. The instructors at Rosetta Taekwondo hold the Award in Coaching Studies, a level 2 qualification awarded by Coaching NI and recognised by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland.
Do the instructors belong to a respected organisation?
It is surprisingly easy to create your own martial arts organisation and set yourself up as the head of it. Sports Council recognition is one way of being more certain that you are joining a reputable organisation. Phone the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and ask them about their recognised governing body for the martial art in question. Rosetta Taekwondo is part of the United Taekwondo Association, one of the constituent bodies of the Taekwondo Association of Northern Ireland, the only Taekwondo body recognised by the Sports Council.
Does their organisation have a child protection policy?
It is vitally important that anyone who will be instructing your child is aware of, and follows, the child protection policy of their organisation. If the organisation does not have a policy, the instructor is not aware of it or does not follow it then alarm bells should ring. Paul Donnelly of Rosetta Taekwondo is the child protection officer for the Taekwondo Association of Northern Ireland and is in regular contact with both the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and NSPCC.
