Hawke's Bay training facility opens for special needs taekwondo students

Hawke's Bay International Taekwon-Do Federation regional director Ben Evans, with student Tu Puna Rangi, ITF president Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, and student Johan Landcroon. Photo / Paul Taylor

An agreement between a Hawke's Bay charity and a local martial arts club yesterday resulted in the opening of the world's first taekwondo facility for special needs students.

The president of the International Taekwon-Do Federation, Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa, opened the new facility on King St in Hastings, where he told an audience of students and supporters it was the first of its kind to open internationally.

"It was just amazing," Hawke's Bay International Taekwon-Do Federation regional director Ben Evans said.

"President Choi cut the ribbon and then we did a demonstration inside the new facility. It was amazing, we had a lot of people there and president Choi said it was internationally the first special-needs taekwondo facility."

The facility is based at a room provided free of charge by IDEA Services.

IDEA Services vocational service manager Kyle Hughes said the room where the facility had been opened was one of the organisation's vocational services.

"We currently support about 60 people to attend taekwondo classes, so talking to the people we support, they told me they wanted a dedicated space.

"Basically, myself and the King St service team leader decided we would roll our sleeves up over our Christmas holiday and clear that room out and offer the room to Ben to work in partnership with us."

As part of a memorandum of understanding between the two parties Mr Evan would also approach other service providers and welcome them into the space.

"So it will be open to all other service providers as well. Not only that, but will give the people we support the chance to make new friendships.

"It's the first international space for special needs taekwondo in the world, so we're hoping that other regions will follow suit."