Drummond, Denver and 2 in Missoula

This time of year we don’t always have many competition opportunities in Montana, but this year is far different. Starting with 2 new tournaments on January 19th. 

The first of which is just to the east of us in Drummond. This will be The Drummond Taekowndo Championships first year, but the tournament organizers are very familiar faces around here. Gordy Paske and his daughters all have trained here at MTC with us off and on over the years and run the Taekwondo program in Drummond. They are faithful supporters of our tournament and they and their students exemplify good martial artists. We encourage all of our students to participate in this tournament as we are sure you will find a positive community of martial artists hosting this event. The cost of this event is $45 for MTA members and $55 for nonmembers. Please fill out your registration and hand it in to Mrs. R by January 11th. 

Also on the 19th about a dozen of our MTC NET (National Events Team) will travel to Denver for the 1st Pikes Peak Daedo Challenge which promises to be a top level event with competitors from all of the nation.

We will have our biannual FUN Tournament here at MTC on February 2nd.  This has stood the test of time as the greatest tournament experience for new students and for students who are new to competition. It is also, like the name says, FUN. This is just for MTC students and is an incredibly low stress way to bond with your Taekwondo Family. We use the FUN Tournament as a day for learning and gaining confidence in all facets of the tournament experience. From fitting the mouth guard to learning the holding area process to learning what the referee signals and calls mean. Spectators are free and the registration fee is $30. To encourage a fuller tournament experience we give a discount to families that also volunteer an hour or 2 to help out.

Also, Montana TKD Academy is hosting a tournament on Feb 9th. Details available soon.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Thank you

The Love and Effort shown by our TKD family in our October tournament is overwhelming. Every year we are honored to be joined by so many of our students and their supporters to pull off the tremendous Missoula Taekwondo Championships. This year, our 10th, was one to be remembered for the across the board participation. The Booster Club effort was spread out to many families thanks to the organizational and driving effort of a few families. The list of individuals who gave of themselves so every athlete and family could have a rewarding experience is pages long.

Thank you to all of you for giving of yourselves to make for such a fantastic event for all of Montana’s martial artists.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Kalispell Tournament

The last tournament of the Fall season will be the 15th Annual Big Sky Martial Arts Championships in Kalispell on November 10th.

We encourage all of our students interested in competition to make the trip up Highway 93 for this event. There will be competition in forms and sparring with a good sized athlete pool that in the past includes athletes from Idaho, Montana and a team from Canada. MTA members pay just $45 to compete in sparring and forms.

Please plan to turn in your completed registration and payment to MTC by November 2nd. If you plan to use Booster Club funds to pay for your registration be sure that your request is made to the Booster Club one week prior to the date the check is needed. Otherwise please write a personal check to go with the registration then fill out your BC request  form for a reimbursement check.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Our Moment to Shine/MTChampionships

For ten years the Missoula Taekwondo Center Family has been showing the greater Montana community how a tournament can have the greatest possible affect on all of its participants.  This year our chance to bring our touch of love and effort to all aspects of running and participating in a tournament is on October 19th and 20th, here in Missoula at the RAM Activity Center.

The Missoula Taekwondo Championships is always an efficient, enriching coming together of our region's Taekwondo Community.

Organizing, staffing and operating a tournament is a massive group effort.  Without the helping hands of each of our family members we would be unable to provide a life enriching experience to all participants.  We ask that each MTC family participate in some way (or multiple ways) to give yourselves the great satisfaction of contributing to the experience of our own children and the Martial Artists from our entire region.

How to participate or contribute to the MTChampionships:

Students:  Martial Artists from Missoula Taekwondo Center can use paper registration found on the bulletin board at MTC or online registration is available at missoulatkd.com.  There is competition in Poomsae, Sparring, NEW Sport Poomsae and there are divisions for athletes with disabilities.  There are special discounts for MTC Students, MTA members and Families.

Students and Parents:  There are a wide variety of jobs to be done to run this event including setting up, working gear sales, admissions, registration, medical and logistics.  Most jobs require very little effort, but make a tremendous difference in everyone's experience.  Please sign up for a shift or two on the front counter.

Parents and Students 14+:  Officiating or judging is a great way to engage in this and all Montana Tournament.  There will be a MTA certification taught by Master Rosbarsky on October 6th at MTC for any new referees as well as those seeking a refresher. Click HERE for more information.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

MTC Tournament

The weekend of October 20th we will play host to martial artists from around the state and region.  Last year, topping out at over 200 competitors, we hosted our 9th Missoula Taekwondo Championships.  This year promises to be even greater with continued support from our region and interest coming from new schools in Utah and Idaho.

This event has been an incredible experience in the past because so many of you give of your time and efforts on tournament day and leading up to the event.

In early October look for registrations, paper and online, and volunteer sign up sheets.

The Missoula Taekwondo Championships is only a success because of the group effort put forth by our TKD Family.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Montana State Taekwondo Championships - in Missoula June 8th and 9th

We, Missoula Taekwondo Center, are co-hosting the 2012 MT State TKD Championships in Missoula along with the MT TKD Academy.  We are excited for this opportunity to show the state just how well the Missoula Taekwondo Community can work together and pull off the most fantastic state tournament to date.
This is a perfect opportunity for all of our students to give their best in competition and strive to become state champions or at the very least better martial artists and better people.  The cost is $45 for MTA members and $70 for non-members. 
There is competition in forms, sparring, pairs, team and creative forms.
Please find your registrations by clicking HERE or at the dojang.  There is also a sign up sheet for volunteers on the front counter.  We will be responsible for many tournament operations including admissions, registration, holding and other logistical elements.  This is a great way to contribute to and feel a part of the greater Montana Taekwondo Community.

Full Packet and much more information about the MTA on http://www.montanataekwondo.org/

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Missoula Taekwondo Championships

All MTC Students are invited to compete at the Missoula Taekwondo Championships on October 22nd at the RAM Activity Center.  There will be competition in sparring and poomsae with special divisions for disabled individuals.  We will also feature Sport Poomsae and Electronic Hogu exhibitions.  

A special rate of $40 is available to MTC students.  Pick up the registration and info at MTC and turn it in by October 19th.

Dearest MTC Family, we choose to host this event every year because of you, our TKD family.  Tournament preparation takes a concerted effort by The Rosbarsky's and our entire TKD family, and, in the end, it is so worth it. We watch our students and Taekwondoists from all around the state (and a few neighboring ones as well) step into the ring and give their hearts and bodies a test.  Most will go home carrying 1 or more trophies and all will leave having experienced something great--a life enriching, boundary testing, self-building FUN event.

What has always made this the greatest Montana Taekwondo event is the group effort put forth by our MTC Family.  We have opportunities for every person to contribute to the day.

• The booster club will be looking for donations of food to make the National Team Concessions a profitable venture for our Nationals athletes.
• Help is needed to set up and take down the event.
• Door sales, equipment sales, computer operators, ring runners, hospitality coordinator, button sales, ring coordinators and oodles of other positions are available to be filled.
• After the tournament is taken down those who volunteered the day will be treated dinner at China Garden as a thank you.

Sign up sheets will be at the dojang beginning October 3rd.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Competition Adds so Much to Your Life

Being in this art/sport we are given so many great opportunities for personal growth.  We perfect our skills in class and practicing on our own, but in the arena of tournaments we are able to safely stretch past our previous personal bests and become more.  The objective of so many people in our current society is to orchestrate their lives in such a way that challenges are avoided.  We are of the thinking that meeting the challenges in life head on is what adds depth and meaning to our lives and shapes us into the leaders and achievers in all areas of our lives.

Although tournaments are a source of stress for many, they are a relatively safe environment to develop and test your skills in taekwondo AND life; skills in personal improvement, in handling stress, in time management, in leading a healthy life and maybe most importantly that nothing worthwhile was ever gained by being a spectator to life.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Next tournament

Montana State Championship

Click for information.

The Case for Tournaments

In our daily TKD lives we come to class, we learn and practice new and familiar techniques, we interact with our classmates and go home.  This level of experience is enriching to the participant in proportion to what they put in it—in other words, You get our what you put in. If the same individual decides to put themselves on the line by participating in a tournament, they will feel a greater sense of urgency to:

(1.) Know their form as well as they possibly can and 

(2.) Be comfortable with a varied set of tools and circumstances in the sparring arena.  

In short, one will need to step up their game to prepare for a tournament.  In so doing , they will enhance their knowledge (mental), spend more time interacting with their fellow martial artists (emotional) and develop a greater skill level (physical); all with the tools which are currently available to them which weren’t fully utilized before.  One may ask, “Couldn’t someone experience this without committing to a tournament?” and, yes, that may be the case, however, one will be far more successful in having a meaningful TKD experience if they incorporate a tangible goal—like medaling or participating in a tournament.

Then come the benefits of the actual tournament participation.  Aside from the obvious attainment of a medal or trophy, one will surely be rewarded with the self confidence that comes from preparing for a challenge and meeting it head on.  There is also a great social side effect of becoming familiar with a grander picture of martial artists all across our state, country and world who, for the most part, do what we do at MTC, train to be the best possible martial artist and person they each can possibly be.

So, decide, train, participate and grow.

Spring Tournaments

Good experiences can be found at Montana tournaments throughout the Spring. We recommend: Philipsburg on March 19th, The Great Falls Tournament on Aprils 9th, The Billings Tournament on April 9th, the Livingston Tournament on April 30th and The Montana State Championships in Belgrade on May 21st.  When registration forms and other information are available for these events they will be tacked to the bulletin board (and available online to print).
.
Some reminders about tournaments:

• Secure gear to use in advance. Most items are in stock at MTC but some items may need to be ordered so place orders 2 weeks in advance.

• A little preparation will provide the best chance of a positive, meaningful, fun experience. Practice your Poomse at home. Attend Sparring class. Get good sleep, eat nutrient rich foods, stay hydrated and be “in the moment” while training and on competition day.

• The Great Falls, Livingston and Belgrade tournaments will fill the Varsity Letter requirements for MCPS high schoolers.

Electronic Hogu Seminar/Scrimmage and Montana State USAT National Qualifier

Master Rosbarsky, MTC and the MTA are hosting the Montana State Qualifier for 2011 Nationals in San Jose AND a seminar/scrimmage featuring the LaJust electronic hogu.

All athletes from Montana planning to attend USAT Nationals must qualify at the Montana State Qualifier on February 26th at 9AM.

The Seminar and Scrimmage are open to all MTA members and will be given by Master Rosbarsky, Master Dan Williams and Grand Master Scott Miranti.  The seminar and Scrimmage will follow the Qualifier from Noon to 5.

The LaJust electronic scoring system is utilized on the National level and this will be the first ever use and presentation of it in Montana.  All Taekwondoists are encouraged to join us.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

TKD Family Pot Luck and Paddleball Tournament

Saturday December 18th we will host the 3rd Annual Paddleball Tournament followed by a Holiday Pot Luck.

All MTC students, parents and siblings are welcome to participate.  We will hold 2 brackets: 11 and under and 12 and over.  (We may adjust this based on actual participants.) 3 person teams (no substitutions). Each match will be refereed and made up of (2) 3 minute halves, with a 1 minute overtime if needed.  Full rules will be available for view the week of the tournament.  Sign up by December 16th on the front counter to participate in the tournament.  Also, if you would like to play but do not have a team assembled yet, put the word out there about your free agency by jotting your name on the sign up sheet as well.  Registration fee is $30 per team.  This is a slight increase over last year to offset the cost of replacing paddles that are very well worn from paddle ball practice and games and to purchase a plaque for the dojang to be engraved yearly with the name of the overall winning team.

The Pot Luck is for our entire MTC Family and will begin at 2PM.  Please plan to bring your favorite holiday dish to share, or if you don't have a culinary masterpiece bring drinks. :)

This is a crazy time of year for us all and we would like to offer this moment for us all to enjoy a simple gathering and enjoy some good food and competition.

From the Desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Last Tournament Opportunity til Spring

The 13th Annual Big Sky Martial Arts Championships will be held on November 6th at Glacier High School in Kalispell.  This is the last planned tournament in our region until Spring 2011.  We recommend this tournament for

1. It's relative close proximity to Missoula
2. it's reputation as a fairly judged and safe event
3. the Fun and accessible Coach Bus that the MTC Booster Club Charters

At the BSMA Championships competition will be held in Poomse, Sparring and "Unique Forms" including Doubles Forms Standard, Doubles Forms Creative, Single Forms Creative and Weapons.

Missoula Taekwondo Center regularly takes 30+ athletes to this tournament and our team generally comes home with a team trophy in addition to the many trophies won by our individual athletes.  But more important than the award brought home we always come home with a new appreciation for our own abilities and a great connection to and respect for the greater Montana Taekwondo Community.

Save Money and have a great time on the Bus.  Again this year the MTC Booster Club has chartered a cushy Beachliner for the trip to Kalispell.  The bus will leave from the NE corner of the Mall parking lot at 5:30am on Saturday and return the same evening after the tournament and dinner at King's Buffet.  $20 per person or $15/person for families with more than 1 person riding.

From the Desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Thank you TKD Family

The 7th Annual Missoula Taekwondo Championships held on October 16th was everything you might expect a tournament to be and a little more.  This year in addition to the standard events we also added exhibition matches and a poomse division for Athletes with disabilities.  The Athletes in these divisions, and all who watched, felt their hearts grow and their life's focus shift.

Thank you to every last member of our TKD family who pulled together to help offer this event to the Northwest Taekwondo community.  The primary reason this event is so great is the loving nature of our TKD family.  Thank you all once again.

From the Desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Missoula Taekwondo Championships

It is our honor to bring together out MTC family to host the Montana Taekwondo Community each year.  The 7th Annual Missoula Taekwondo Championships will be Saturday October 16th at the RAM Activity Center, 1040 S 1st W in Missoula. Topping the last group effort will be a challenge, but I believe we can do it again this year.

We encourage everyone to take part in this event in at least one capacity.  There are many ways to participate including: competition, refereeing, volunteering in various capacities, donations of food and other items to the Booster Club and of course just being in attendance to watch and cheer on the rest of the Missoula TKD Center family.  Also this year we will host Master Williams on October 15th as he teaches a very informative MTA Referee Seminar.  the seminar cost is $35 and may be taken by any willing adult or student over blue belt.  We ask all MTC red and black belts to take this seminar if they have not already taken one.

To register to compete please fill out and return a registration sheet by Tuesday, October 12th. (Available at the dojang or www.missoulatkd.com but keep in mind that all MTC students registration fee is only $40.)  All ages and belt levels are encouraged to compete, and competition will be in forms, sparring, creative forms and new this year we will be hosting divisions and exhibitions for students with disabilities.

There are many area volunteers will be needed including set up and take down, sales, data entry and concessions.  There is a clipboard on the front counter with sign up sheets for all the various duties.  We really appreciate the giving nature of our MTC Family and thank everyone in advance for helping out.  The bond created through working toward a mutual goal gives great meaning to our lives.
Click Here for an important announcement about your Booster Club.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky