©Copyright and all rights reserved Grand Master O’Neill 2016
On Saturday 11th February A.C.E. Taekwon-Do hosted it’s first National Instructors
course of 2023, hosted and conducted by Grand Master O’Neill at Stonehenge School
area.
Instructors from all over Southern England attended to become qualified as National
Instructors.
5 Blackbelts from Stonehenge School attended and qualified:-
Harry Arthur II Dan
Qualified as a
National ‘C’ Class Instructor
(Deferred until 18yrs)
Callie Jones I Dan
Qualified as a
National ‘C’ Class Instructor
(Deferred until 18yrs)
Gary Clark 1st Kup
Qualified as a
National ‘C’ Class Instructor
(Deferred until Blackbelt)
Alice Booth 1st Kup
Qualified as a
National ‘C’ Class Instructor
(Deferred until Blackbelt)
Matthew Dryden II Dan
Qualified as a
National ‘B’ Class Instructor
A.C.E. South Africa hosted Grand Master O’Neill for a week to conduct a National
& International Instructors Course as well as a big Seminar.
ACE South Africa’s President; Sabum Shaheed Karachi VI Dan, hosted the events in
Johannesburg. The evening before the start of the Instructors Course GMO conducted
some classes in the local ACE Schools.
The following day the Instructors course began in earnest covering all aspects of
teaching for both International & National Instructors.
The following day over 100 Students from ACE SA attended a seminar for all grades.
The following day we completed the Instructors courses and started a Colourbelt grading
for around 45 students after which a small Blackbelt grading for 4 local Blackbelts.
To Finalise the weeks visit the last day of training coincided with GMO’s 40th Anniversary
of becoming a Blackbelt where he conducted another class at the local ACE School.
A great week made possible by excellent local host Mr. Roy Westfehling III Dan who
did all the running about, and still managed to fit in a day at the Safari before
GMO travelled back to the UK
Five Blackbelts from Stonehenge School travelled to Cheltenham to participate in
the A.C.E. Blackbelt Course & Grading on the weekend of 4th & 5th March 2023.
Mr. Robert Mockridge V Dan
Mr. Matthew Dryden II Dan (Grading to III Dan)
Miss Callie Jones I Dan
Gary Clark 1st Kup (Grading to I Dan)
Alice Booth 1st Kup (Grading to I Dan)
The course was well attended and was conducted by A.C.E.’s President Grand Master
Paul Cutler IX Dan, and A.C.E.’S Vice-Poresident Grand Master Ray O’Neill IX Dan.
Also present during the weekend and during the grading exam via video link was the
Father of British & European Taekwon-Do namely Pioneer Rhee Ki Ha IX, the first ever
person promoted to Grand Master by the Founder Gen Choi Hong Hi.
Three of Stonehenge Students were on the course to take their respective Blackbelt
Grading.
ALL Three were successful and were promoted by the three Grand Masters to grades
as follows:-
Mr. Matthew Dryden III Dan (centre)
Mr. Gary Clark I Dan
Miss. Alice Booth I Dan
Last Month Gary & Alice also qualified to become National Instructor Class ‘C’ after
attending the official Instructors course in February and although successful the
certificates were deferred until they became Blackbelts
Now after both have also been promoted to Blackbelts they will also be presented
with their Instructors Certificates.
We all enjoyed a brilliant evening’s social at a local restaurant organised by the
host Mr. Harry Limer V Dan. (Mr. Gary Clark was unable to attend on this occasion)
A traditional Saturday evening meal at a local restaurant, A wonderful social evening
relaxing everyone the night before the grading.
27th March 2023 was the day 40 years ago Grand Master O’Neill was promoted to I Dan
Blackbelt in Derby under Pioneer Rhee Ki Ha, due to Grand Master O’Neill being in
South Africa a celebration seminar was held locally on the 1st April, it was unfortunate
that it coincided with the Easter holidays, which effected attendance, however a
great time was had by many students ranging from 10th Kup up to Master Degree.
A few Instructors treated GM O’Neill to a meal after wards.
Stonehenge Taekwon-Do School hosted it’s oficial A.C.E. Seminar to coincide with
the 56th Anniversary of Pioneer Rhee Ki Ha introducing Taekwon-Do to the UK.
The seminar was conducted by Grand Master Ray O’Neill IX Dan and all who attended
had a great time with the pleasure of some visiting guest Instructors & one of A.C.E.’S
Masters’ namely Master Ian Britton VII Dan.
After the Seminar a grading was offered to a few students who qualified to promote.
Success Full promotions were as Follows:-
David Lumsden 6th Kup Green Belt - A Level Pass (also received A Level Award)
Leilani Ritchie 6th Kup Green Belt
Seren Boswell 7th Kup Green Tips
Edward Foster 9th Kup Yellow Tips (also awarded the local grading Award)
Henry Foster 9th Kup Yellow Tips
During the seminar Master Britton was asked to choose two students who he felt stood
out for their effort, attitude and all round input into their training.
Hayley Batchelor 4th Kup
Henry Foster 9th Kup
David Lumsden - Advanced Level Award
Edward Foster - Local Grading Award
David Lumsden promoted to 6th Kup
Leilani Ritchie promoted to 6th Kup
Seren Boswell promoted to 7th Kup
Edward Foster promoted to 9th Kup
Henry Foster promoted to 9th Kup