Australian Sports Commission recognises new unified national taekwondo body

The Australian Sports Commission has officially recognised a new unified governing body for taekwando in Australia - TKD Sports Taekwondo Australia (STA) Ltd.

The merger between Taekwondo Australia (TA) and Sports Taekwondo Australia (STA) comes after the two parties, who had both claimed to run the sport in the country, signed an agreement last November to join forces.

Welcoming the merger, Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Chief Executive Simon Hollingsworth said it should create a stronger future for the sport, providing better governance, and a greater chance to increase participation and high performance outcomes.

Hollingsworth stated “I congratulate TA President Hassan Iskandar and Chair Danny Crkvencic, and their STA counterparts, John Kotsifas and Stuart Lee, for their work in helping to create Sports Taekwondo Australia, formally known as TKD Sports Taekwondo Australia Ltd (STAL).

“The ASC confirms its recognition of STAL as the national sporting organisation for taekwondo in Australia after the Commission and the World Taekwondo Federation helped broker the merger.”

The first meeting of the unified body is scheduled to take place in Melbourne on Sunday (21st September) with business figure John Walker, Chairman of Macquarie Group of Companies - a former global partner of the World Taekwondo Federation - and the Australia Korea Business Council, as its new independent chairperson.

Looking forward, Hollingsworth added “the newly appointed independent chair of STAL, John Walker, has a strong international business background that will ensure the sport has the best possible start under its new governance arrangements.

“Taekwondo is an emerging sport in Australia with its athletes likely to have top-eight finishes and be outside medal chances at the next Olympic Games and World Championships. However, taekwondo has long-term potential with athletes such as 2013 world champion Carmen Marton paving the way for more success.

“This is further strengthened by taekwondo’s inclusion as a targeted sport in the latest AIS Sports Draft searching for future international athletes. The ASC congratulates everyone involved in the merger for their commitment and hard work in what should be a great example of sporting bodies coming together for the overall benefit of their sport.”

The Australian Government, through the ASC and Australian Institute of Sport, provided $355,000 for taekwondo in 2014/15 while the Direct Athlete Support (DAS) scheme provided $41,000 in funding to athletes in 2013/14.

STA is currently finalising details of its membership packages for next year and will release more information following their expected approval at Sunday's Board meeting.

This year's Australian National Taekwondo Championships will take place at Adelaide's Super-Drome from 5th to 7th December.

For more information go to www.taekwondoaustralia.com.au