NATIOnAL TAEKWOnDO LEAGUE 2012

Consultation Proposal

NATIOnAL TAEKWOnDO LEAGUE 2012

For a number of years, the opportunities to participate in high level Taekwondo competitions with a National appeal have dwindled and have been replaced by One to One style and local Open events. Whilst these provide excellent breeding grounds for upcoming stars of the future, our talented amateur elite athletes, who may be trying to break into National teams and the High Performance Academy, only have the one-off annual National Championships to showcase their abilities and pitch themselves against academy players and national rivals.

NATIOnAL CHAMPIOnSHIPS
The format for the BTCB National Championships has remained relatively unchanged for many years, held over one weekend each year, in one location. This model, whilst now attracting signicant numbers, still pitches some inexperienced athletes of all ages and abilities against high level competitors with the inevitable safety consequences. In addition, as a one-off event, it can throw out unusual results that give inexperienced athletes unrealistic assessments of their own ability. The combined result of the One to One, Open and Single National Championship models of competition is the failure to provide & stimulate regular Taekwondo competition between aspiring high level athletes who have higher ambitions. This situation depresses the domestic competitive market, with many players looking to overseas competitions for match practise. For those unable to travel, it results in apathy amongst players and coaches with many ambitious athletes failing to achieve their potential and bridge the international skill level gap.

This is not to say, that we do not have some exceptional athletes in the UK and together with this initiative, the development work being undertaken by GB Taekwondo and the BTCB, we aim to offer our stars of the future opportunities that were only dreamed of a few years ago.

NATIOnAL TAEKWOnDO LEAGUE 2012

CORE AIMS
/ To raise, nationally, the technical skill level of talented amateur athletes. / To offer ambitious athletes a clear pathway to National success. / To increase the number of National class Taekwondo tournaments across the UK. / To broaden the exposure of Performance level sport.

PrOPOSAL
The concept is to create a agship series of three tournaments that encourage talented and elite athletes to compete on a regular basis.
These desirable national events will be staged in different parts of the UK over the course of twelve months. GB Taekwondo will advertise for a local club or association partner and proposals would be considered from towns or cities for the rights to host one of these events. GB Taekwondo can also offer local partners access to branding, marketing & promotional rights in return for local assistance with organisation and volunteer recruitment. The GB Taekwondo Roadshow would descend on the chosen location.The venue and surrounding area would be transformed using GB Taekwondo equipment and display assets into a recognisable event brand. In year 2, once the League series is well established, it is proposed to set up a network of accredited Open events to provide further opportunities for athletes wishing to compete at a higher level. Local groups who organise their own Open events will be invited to apply for GB Taekwondo approved status. These events (or categories within events) must be run using a specic standard of organisation, technical equipment and ofcials as set down in published criteria.

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ATHLETE RANKING SYSTEM
A system is proposed where athletes accumulate points based on participation and medal positions at individual ranking events. The aim is to incentivise athletes, so that they take part in all three NTL competitions, culminating in the crowning of a National League champion in each division at the last event of the series.
At each event, athletes would receive: / a participation certicate / one ranking point for every match they take part in / one additional point for every match they win. The top four athletes in each category receive commemorative series medals and the following additional ranking points 1st Place 50 points 2nd Place 35 points 3rd & 4th Place 20 points This ensures that every competitor receives something tangible from the event and builds credibility in the event series brand. A ranking list showing all participants in the series would be posted on a dedicated web page. In the event of identical scores, the positions will be determined by the following factors. 1/ The athlete who has beaten another more times throughout the series shall be ranked higher. 2/ In any other case, the athlete who has won more matches throughout the series shall be ranked higher. At the winter climax of the series, the overall positions will be decided by the accumulated points total. In year two, athletes competing in the accredited open events would also receive ranking points for medal positions. This will increase participation levels for the local organisers and promote the main aim of more regular high level competition between talented competitors.

NATIOnAL TAEKWOnDO LEAGUE 2012

NATIOnAL LeAgUe WInnerS reWArDS

ThE oVErall sEriEs winnEr woulD rEcEiVE: / National League Champion Trophy / National League Champion Certicate / Invitation to train for a week at the High Performance Centre in Manchester / Free entry into the following years National League Series. ThE oVErall sEriEs runnEr up woulD rEcEiVE: / National League Runner Up Trophy / National League Runner Up Certicate / Invitation to train for a week at the High Performance Centre in Manchester. ThE oVErall sEriEs 3rD & 4th placEs woulD rEcEiVE: / National League 3rd or 4th Place Trophy / National League 3rd or 4th Place Certicate / Invitation to train for a weekend at the High Performance Centre in Manchester.

NATIOnAL TAEKWOnDO LEAGUE 2012

END OF SERIES AWARDS
Immediately following the nal competition of the year, an end of season awards event is proposed to recognise athletes results and wider NGB achievements.
This could take place on the evening of the nal series competition in the host hotel already accommodating participants and ofcials. The primary aim of the evening is to recognise the medal winners of the yearlong series and present awards to the individuals concerned. These awards would be presented by GB Taekwondo team athletes and other NGB personalities. In addition, these awards evenings could include BTCB recognition activity, further drawing the Taekwondo community together at the end of the year. Using an evening dinner or buffet format and including a demonstration match or exhibition, the event has the potential to generate goodwill and add value to the National League title. As many of the potential attendees and award recipients will be staying overnight following the days competition anyway, there is a readymade audience in the area without the need for a separate date involving travel and expense for the participants concerned. A reasonable ticket price will ensure many award recipients, their families and other guests attend this awards dinner and evenings entertainment.