Our TKD Family Rocks!

On October 24th we held our 6th Annual Missoula Taekwondo Center Championships at the RAM Activity Center in Missoula. After reflecting for a few days I can honestly say this was not only our best tournament to date but also the best tournament I have ever attended!

For those of you who don't already know we were in an unusual circumstances for a tournament.  Five days before the tournament, we were made aware of a time conflict which would force us out of the venue by 2:30pm.  Our earliest finish time had previously been 4pm.  After the initial momentary pause in respirations, we gathered our wits and decided we could rise to the challenge.  And rise we did!

Our TKD family rallied and offered support of all kinds.  There were so many hands to help in every area of the tournament: concessions, button sales, silent auction, set up and take down and tournament operations.  From the moment the tournament began on time (and did not surrender to "Taekwondo Time") through every transition our MTC Family operated smoothly and efficiently.  Every duty was attended to without a moment of hesitation and all the while people interacted happily with the goal of enabling every participant, coach, referee, volunteer and spectator to have the most beneficial experience possible.

We finished competition in 4 hours and 47 minutes and were completely cleaned up and our of the venue before 2:30.  I heard rumor the day of the tournament that the reason we operated so efficiently was because we were smaller than ever before.  In actuality, we had 124 competitiors which was five more than any other year.

Thank you all, you are amazing.

I am honored to be part of such an amazing group and I am humbled to call you all family.

Thanks, Amanda Rosbarsky

The Bus is On

For the 3rd year in a row the MTC Booster Club (Thank you Kim Sturre) has organized a Beachliner to take MTC students to Kalispell for the Big Sky Martial Arts Tournament.  We recommend this tournament to all our students.

The cost of the bus is $20 per person, $60 per family of up to 5 members and $75 for a family of 6 or more.

This bus trip is a great way to have a shared experience with your MTC family.  We will depart the Mall parking lot at 5:30 AM November 14th and return following competition.

Seats are going very fast so sign up on the front counter ASAP.  Payment due by November 8th.

MTA Referee Seminar and Scrimmage

All MTC Family members are invited to learn what the referees know.

Want to learn all the sparring rules and how to operate the electronic scoring equipment in Montana?

MTC will host a Montana Taekwondo Association Referee Seminar presented by Master Steve Rosbarsky which is open to everyone 14 and over.  The seminar will be Saturday November 7th from 10am to 1 pm followed by a scrimmage from 1-2pm open to all ages and belt levels.  We will utilize the scrimmage as an opportunity for referee seminar participants to get some low stress practice and for competitors an opportunity for additional ring time at no cost.

The cost of the seminar is $35.  And those who wish to referee at MTA events can purchase the referee polo shirt for $15.  Certification applications are available at montanataekwondo.org or at Missoula Taekwondo Center.

Scholarships will be available for this seminar.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

USAT Referee Seminar

MTC will host a USA-Taekwondo referee certification at Missoula Taekwondo Center on December 5th.

Master Randy Waitman, of Williston Dae Myung in Williston, North Dakota, a certified International Referee with the most current information will present to all interested Black Belts from the region.

We encourage all of our Black Belts to participate in this seminar which will be about $60.

Having USAT Referee credentials is a great step along your path as a Black Belt.  See Mrs. Rosbarsky for more info.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Demo Team Practices Starting up for First Night

The First Night Demonstration Team is open to every MTC student who is interested and willing to dedicate themselves to make it to the practices to be held in December.  Please sign up in advance at the Dojang.

The Missoula Taekwondo Center Demonstration Team will be performing for the 8th year in a row at First Night Missoula a citywide New Years Eve celebration.  We will perform at the Mall at 2pm December 31st as well as teaching a class at the Downtown Dance collective.  Then the following Saturday at the Missoula County Health Fair also at the mall the MTC Demo Team will demonstrate again.

This experience is open to all MTC students from white belt to black belt and every age from 4 years old and up.  This is an opportunity for our students to show their friends and family all of the great things they work year round to perfect.

Practices will be twice weekly in December and will also be held during Winter Break.  A schedule will come in next month's newsletter.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Colored Belt Test

Our next colored belt test is Friday November 6th.  Test times will be posted by Wednesday the 4th.  To test please sign up on the front counter.

From yellow through senior red belt individuals should test every 3 months to ensure they do not become stagnant and have constant progression  Also all Sr Red Belts should continue the testing pattern every 3 months as a test leader to fulfill their Black Belt Testing Requirements.

We have found that regular practice outside of class is one of the biggest factors in creating confident and proficient martial artist.

For Poomse practice the Power Poomse DVDs have proven themselves to be incredibly useful.  They are available at MTC for $30 for the Taeguek or Palgwe series or $50 for the set.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky