Phoenix Taekwon-Do Club warms up before training this week at their Levin base.
Phoenix Taekwon-Do Club warms up before training this week at their Levin base.
The re-emergence of taekwon-do in Levin has been likened to a phoenix rising from the ashes.
The people behind the resurrection of the martial art and the establishment of the new Phoenix Taekwon-do Club have managed to bring together almost 100 members in a short time, making it the 10th-largest club in New Zealand.
Already, results are showing. The Phoenix club came away with a massive medal haul from the TKD National Tournament in Tauranga this month.
Instructor Mike Conway said in years gone by the martial art had splintered in Levin with two clubs in effect working against each other, and for a variety of reasons both clubs had succumbed to falling membership.
Conway said it was an opportunity for reinvention.
"In 2018, we were given the opportunity to take on the running of both Levin taekwon-do clubs and merge as one, providing unity and equality in Levin taekwon-do," he said.
"With this it was only fitting that a new name was in order and phoenix was born from the ashes representing new beginnings."
"We have a great family atmosphere and work together as a team to create a fun, safe environment."
Conway said it was about finding the right balance between structure and discipline, and enjoyment.
Some of the black belts and medal winners from the Phoenix Taekwon-do Club.
"There is a hierarchy there and there is a need for respect, but we have pulled back on that a little bit ... the secret is to make it fun, and to treat all white belts and newcomers the same as you would want to treat anybody else."
"There is an absolute need for discipline, but there are different ways of doing it. Some thrive on being told to do push-ups where others might go into their shell. It's about praising the good things ... without yelling at people."
"It's about allowing people to be themselves."
The club began to train out of its gymnasium at Horowhenua Events Centre and quickly started getting results at tournaments.
Phoenix had eight club members chosen to be part of the Central Region team at the national tournament in Tauranga, and all came away with medals. The Central Region senior men's team won best overall senior males team.
The club had also seen members attain higher-grade honours. Pete Parata joined Conway as a second-dan black belt after two days of grading, while Brenna Greene and Carmel Ponga were now first-dan black belts.
Pete Parata from the Phoenix Taekwon-do Club in Levin is now a second-dan black belt.
Conway said it was a massive achievement.
"This is a huge achievement as New Zealand is one of only a few that hold a two-day grading where one is put through their paces, including a fitness test that is held after six hours of solid training on day one," he said.
"Day two has a theory test in the morning, then open to the public in the afternoon where one is put through the paces in front of family and friends."
Conway was extremely passionate about taekwon-do and what it could do for self-discipline and self-belief. He was first introduced to the sport in 2011, and was first graded in 2015.
"It's my life, to be honest," he said.
"I started when I was 14 but quit, and found a love for it again all these years later when my daughter came home and said she wanted to do taekwon-do."
He said primarily, the club was about teaching people self-defence, discipline and camaraderie, although there was the chance to compete and gain higher honours.
"There is always an opportunity for the cream to rise to the top," he said.
Conway said the club always welcomed new members. It was open to anybody aged over 4.
