31 December 2022
In order to make the GB Olympic Taekwondo team, a child needs to have years of training and development in the sport. There are several key steps that need to be taken in order to achieve this goal.
The first step is to find a reputable Taekwondo club. There are many different clubs out there, so it is important to do some research in order to find one that is right for your child. Some things you may want to consider include the experience of the instructors, the philosophy of the club, and the size of the club. It is also important to make sure that the club you choose is affiliated with British Taekwondo, as this is the governing body for Taekwondo in the UK.
Once you have found a good club, your child will need to start attending training sessions. These will usually be once or twice a week and will cover all aspects of Taekwondo. The training will start with the basics, such as learning the different stances and how to punch and kick correctly. As your child progresses, they will learn more advanced techniques and move up through the different belts.
In order to progress through the ranks, your child will need to compete in tournaments. These can be local, national, or international competitions, depending on their level. There are different weight and age categories, so your child will need to compete against others of a similar size and age. Tournament experience is important as it not only allows your child to test their skills against other Taekwondo practitioners, but it also helps them to learn how to deal with the pressure of competition.
If your child is showing potential, they may be able to apply to the GB Taekwondo Development Programme. This is a programme run by GB Taekwondo and is funded by Sport England. There are a number of different stages to the programme, which starts with the Fighting Chance Annual Recruitment stage. This is a pathway that leads into the main development programme and is run in conjunction with GB Taekwondo and the British Martial Arts and Boxing Association (BMABA). Those who do well will be selected for the Development Programme, and the very best will go on to train in the World Class Programme.
The ultimate goal for any Taekwondo practitioner is to join the GB Taekwondo Olympic team. This is the team that represents Great Britain at the Olympic Games. To be selected for the team, your child will need to compete in a number of different trials and competitions. The selection process is very competitive, so only the very best Taekwondo athletes will make it onto the team.
As you can see, there is a lot of work that goes into becoming a member of the GB Olympic Taekwondo team. However, if your child is dedicated to the sport and is willing to put in the hard work, they will have a chance of achieving their goal. And even if they don't make it to the Olympics, they will still have gained valuable experience and skills that will stay with them for life.
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