The first I.N.T.A. Development Squad training session of 2015 was held with great success on Sunday 25th January in Portarlington, Co. Laois. Thirty members from Portarlington, Jee Goo, Brooklodge, Meath, Naas, MDTS, Maynooth and Rapid Taekwon do schools all working hard throughout the day.

The coaching panel Mr Alan Troy VI, Mr Nigel Stobie VI, Mr Michael O’Keefe IV, Mr Matthew Troy IV & Mr Keith Matthews III held a brief meeting at 10 am to finalise details for the days training before meeting with participants at Portarlington community centre at 10:45.

Training commenced at 11 am with Mr Matthew Troy & Mr O’Keefe taking the warm up followed by special technique exercises geared towards the black belt grading criteria, Spot side kick being practiced by all colour belts and the black belts working on flying turning kick breaking techniques. Patterns were then covered with Mr Nigel Stobie leading this section, Black belts and colour belts were separated into groups with instructors working to their individual needs according to their level.

 

After a short lunch break everyone was back to work and after warm up it was straight on to sparring techniques and free sparring led be Mr Alan Troy, with all the instructors working closely with all the participants in groups which were divided by age and grade. This was followed by power test exercises during which great emphasis was give to the correct approach to measuring and breaking and precision of breaking techniques.

Mr Matthew Troy then demonstrated and explained self defence techniques for all members which everyone enthusiastically practiced under Mr Troy’s supervision. Mr Keith Matthews then led the class through a vigorous conditioning workout which focused on core strength. Through all the different disciplines junior & senior members, Black belts & colour belts were divided into specific groups with instructors working closely in their groups so everyone got the best instruction appropriate to their age and grade. It has been a very positive start for the development squads training for 2015 and we look forward to our next session.

Congratulations to all involved.