Llanfoist Taekwon-Do is a martial arts club located in Abergavenny, New Zealand. The club offers Tae Kwon Do lessons taught by Mr. Craig Radford, an International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) 2nd Degree Black Belt. Mr.
Radford is also the coach of Gassor's Tournament Team Wales and a BTC registered Instructor. He started training with Gassor's Taekwon-Do in 2012 and achieved his black belt in June 2018. Mr. Radford has been a member of Gassor's Tournament Team since 2013, first as a team member and now as one of the team coaches.
Llanfoist Taekwon-Do is a satellite club of the Martial Arts and Fitness Centre. The club has a history of success and growth, with their first martial arts school, St Arvans Taekwon-Do, opening in September 2019. Since then, the club has seen significant progress among its students. In January 2022, Llanfoist Taekwon-Do opened its doors in Llanfoist Village Hall, bringing the benefits of martial arts to a new community.
The philosophy of Llanfoist Taekwon-Do is centred around the individual journey of each student. The club values diversity and recognises that everyone has different skills and levels of ability. The focus is not on who can kick the highest or punch the hardest, but on personal development and growth. Respect for the art and personal effort are the only expectations placed on students.
Llanfoist Taekwon-Do also offers a programme called “Little Dragons” for children aged 4–7 years old. Developed by Mrs. Leanne Gassor-Jones, a 5th Degree Black Belt, the programme teaches basic hand techniques, kicks, coordination, motor skills, balance, agility, and confidence. Children also learn important life skills such as following directions, left and right differentiation, discipline, and good behaviour.
Little Dragons is a fun and social event that gets children into a regular exercise routine at a young age.
For students aged 8 and above, Llanfoist Taekwon-Do follows the training syllabus of the International Taekwon-do Federation (ITF). The club aims to not only teach self-defence techniques but also to instil values such as respect, self-control, goal setting, and self-discipline. They believe that Taekwon-Do can positively impact a child's life by fostering confidence, combating bullying, and promoting overall personal development.
Llanfoist Taekwon-Do is dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for students of all ages and abilities. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, the club welcomes you to be a part of their martial arts journey. The first lesson is free and the club is committed to helping individuals become the masters of their own journeys.