Newsletter 4/2010 Celtic Cup
Cardiff is the capital, the largest and most highly populated city in Wales. It’s also the newest and one of the liveliest European capitals.
The city is the base for most of the Country’s national cultural and sporting institutions. It’s one of the most popular tourist destination cities in the United Kingdom with a large number of landmark buildings, hotels and restaurants. There are also many beautiful parks and other green spaces. However, Cardiff is intensely alive also at night being a home to many bars, pubs and clubs. The capital of Wales has been awarded the title of European City of Sport 2009 as a city which plays host to so many prestigious sporting events at local, national and international level and in gratitude of the city’s commitment to sport for all. In 1958 Cardiff hosted the British Empire and Commonwealth Games and it remains the most important sports event to have been held in Wales. One of the venues for those Games has been rebuilt and has become a part of an International Sports Village and some of these sports facilities will be used as training venues for the London 2012 Olympics.
On Saturday, 4th of December the 3rd Celtic Cup was held in Cardiff. Taekwon-Do practitioners from Belgium, England, Sweden and Wales, came there to compete in patterns, sparring and special techniques (juniors). However, first of all, they had to struggle through extraordinary cold weather and extremely slippery roads to get there.
At the beginning, Mr Paul Jermyn, President of ITF Wales, welcomed all participants and wished them best of luck in competing that day. He also warmly greeted Master Jerzy Jedut from Poland and Master Tom Denis from England. Furthermore Mr Neil Ernest, the main organiser of the Celtic Cup, bestowed Masters with ties printed with I.T.F. Wales’ name and symbols. Happy with their gifts the Masters headed to their ‘jobs’ – Master Denis to officiate and Master Jedut to take the photographs. The competition started at 10 a.m. with seniors black belt pattern and sparring. After their performances, they exchanged their doboks and black belts for uniforms and helped other referees with officiating which made the rest of the day pass smoothly. Competitors – children, juniors and seniors, colour and black belts - battled it out for wins in their categories on three rings. Thanks to the Round-Robin all participants had a great chance to perform more than once in pattern (one optional, one designated - appropriated to their degree) and sparring (2 rounds for black and 1 round for colour belts) and even if they lost their first bout they still got an opportunity to win medals. All-play-all system gave them superb occasion to practise and get more experience than they have at most of other tournaments.
After the competition Mr Ernest invited participants for a finger buffet where people were nicely treated with delicious food, cakes and coffee. Appetites fully satisfied the participants returned to their hotels to prepare themselves for the After-Party. Fortunately people also had some time to visit the city centre which was beautifully decorated and ready for Christmas.
The 3rd Celtic Cup finished with a lovely party in the magnificent Angel Hotel located in the city centre near the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Castle. All Taekwon-Do friends met there for a chat, dance and a drink. They got a great opportunity to get to know each other better, to make new friends and tighten up friendships already existing.
The Celtic Cup is every year one of the best organised tournaments held in a friendly atmosphere and with a warm welcome for all. Attending this competition always makes you feel that you are visiting family or friends.
Below you will find more information about the 3rd Celtic Cup given in the following
interview by Mr Neil Ernest, the Organiser of the tournament:
Mr Neil Ernest
- This is your third tournament 'Celtic Cup'. Is it now easier to organise? What differences can you see between your first time and the competition this year?
We have had tournaments in Wales for many years. Since the ITF Split in 2003, Wales became very small so we hosted closed competitions for a few years. We had our first Celtic Cup in 2008 and invited clubs from England. Now it is becoming easier every year as we have a certain procedure which works well for us. - Who is in the organising committee for this competition?
I am the main point of contact regarding invitations and communication, but we have Instructors and Students who give up their time to help in the event which is much appreciated. - What were the biggest problems with organizing the tournament?
The biggest problem we have is lack of referees. Due to the fact that we are so small, we rely on help from outside of Wales. Our black belt competitors also referee after they compete. We have had great support from ETA especially Master Tom Denis who has supported us every year with supplying referees as well as many competitors. - What would you like (if anything) to improve for the next tournament 'Celtic Cup'?
At this moment we are the NA in our country and the only group affiliated to ITF. This makes it easy for us to operate. The Celtic Cup is set up now and we have most things in place to run a competitive tournament. As well as providing good hospitality, we would like to think that everyone would have an enjoyable experience in Cardiff, Wales. We have a very good deal with two 4star hotels situated in the city centre which are close to the competition venue and ‘After Party’. The only thing I would like to improve is the number of competitors. - How many competitors are here today? From which countries and clubs?
We had two problems this year. Firstly we had to change the date due to unforeseen circumstances. Then on the weekend of the competition we experienced unusual and unexpected freezing weather. Many people could not attend especially from England, but also from areas outside Cardiff. However we went ahead with the competition which attracted around 120 competitors from WALES, ENGLAND, BELGIUM AND SWEDEN. - You have your own school. Do your students compete today? Did you win some trophies?
Yes, I have my own school which competed. We won many trophies from Junior to Senior in all disciplines. - Which club won the main trophy (overall)?
My club, Cardiff Taekwon-Do was the overall Winner. - Do your students help out at this event?
Yes, they help out after they’ve competed. - To whom would you recommend this tournament?
EVERYONE!!! We hope that the Celtic Cup grows every year and look forward to people and friends supporting us, especially from the UK and those who have never visited Wales before. Next year we have a provisional date – 11th June 2011. This will be confirmed very soon and advertising for this event will be sent out in January 2011. - Did you notice some note worthy bouts throughout your busy day? If so can you describe them?
Only a few as i was busy throughout the day. There were some good bouts in the junior colour belt categories, as well as European and World Medallists in the Black Belt Divisions. - Do you have any special guests today?
Yes. Master Jerzy Jedut from Poland, and Master Tom Denis from England who helped with officiating. We presented them with an Honorary ITF Wales Tie, which they promised to wear next year, as they will be attending with their clubs. - What advice would you give Taekwon-Do practitioners about the competition, to promote and advertise it to encourage them to take part next year?
We’ve tried to support the other UK countries in the last few years, attending the Irish Open in 2009 and 2010, and in England attending Impact, ETA and ITF England competitions since 2003. We hope that the home countries of the UK would put the Celtic Cup into their Calender for 2011, and try to get back to the good days of 4 Tournaments a year in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and supporting each other. - Is there something else you would like to add?
Thank you to everyone who supported us this year, especially our friends from England, Poland, Belgium and Sweden. We hope to see you in Wales in June for the Celtic Cup 2011. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The feedback below has been given by people who participated in this enjoyable event:
- Celtic Cup is not a big competition, but it doesn’t mean it’s not worth taking part in it. On the contrary – it is! For many competitors and coaches taking part should be an interesting option. Firstly – it is very good in view of the organisational aspect. Secondly – there is very nice, friendly, almost family like atmosphere. Thirdly – at every level you can meet good contestants and watch interesting fights. Therefore it is a very good occasion to gain valuable experience. I was nicely and pleasantly surprised to see that the hospitality and good atmosphere didn’t disappear with the last medal presentation in the venue. Just after the last decoration all of us were invited for a delicious buffet. A few hours later we went for the after-party, where the organizer - Mr Neil Ernest with his wife, as well as Mr Paul Jermyn and many Welsh TKD practitioners and representatives continued to provide the same lovely atmosphere from the competition. Additionally, this is not an expensive tournament for participants, so I happily recommend it. I’m sure that all people who will take part in this event in the future will not be disappointed!
Master Jerzy Jedut from Poland - I have had the great pleasure of attending the Celtic Cup for the last 3 years. I consider it to be a huge experience, with good atmosphere, good organisation as well as the Round-Robin system where every competitor has the opportunity to have a few fights. Every year there is an increasing number of competitors so I would like to thank and congratulate Neil Ernest and Paul Jermyn in their success!
Mr Peter Capaja (IV Degree) from England - My experience of the competition was very positive. I competed in patterns, where I got a bronze, and in sparring. I had three good fights, and according to my dad-coach, with each one I was getting better and better. I won the last one, although it was not enough to get a medal. But as the Buddhists say: “What is better, to win 99 times and lose on the 100th, or lose 99 times and win on the 100th time?” Well, I prefer the latter, as every time you lose you learn something, and finally you conquer that last fight with all that you previously learned. So even thought I didn’t get a medal, I got some good experience. Then there was the after-party, where we were welcomed as guests by our Wels hosts, where we happily celebrated our winnings, the coming Christmas period, and one successful and enjoyable competition!
Ms Sofia Pernikis (I Degree) from England
Mr Neil Ernest absolutely did his best to make this, the third Celtic Cup totally successful and he should be assured that most of this year participants will definitely come back next year. I would like to thank Mr Ernest for his wonderful hospitality during the competition and congratulate him for organising such a great event and wish him the best in organising upcoming tournaments.
