Fun Tournament - February 11th

Tournaments can be fun, rewarding and life enriching events if you go into them with a basic knowledge of what to expect and are surrounded by supportive "family" members.  We want our students to have every reasons to participate in upcoming tournaments.

With this FUN tournament our students will find out what they can expect at future tournaments and reap the benefits to be had by joining the greater Taekwondo Community in Montanan and the rest of the world.  Parents sometimes understandably, wish for their children to hold back from competition until they earn a higher belt, however when a student shows interest, we recommend engaging them at that point. Individuals are placed in groups of their approximate age, height, weight and skill level, making white belt the best time to try a tournament.  This year we are also using this opportunity to develop the logistics of tournament operations.  We are encouraging every family to volunteer an hour or 2 to learn a new skill or share one you  know you already possess, contribute to the group and feel proud of your efforts that will make a FUN successful event.  A $5 per volunteer hour credit is offered off you registration.  Offered to Black and Red Belts first then this option will be offered to all MTC students.  Up to $10 off per colored belt competitor and up to $25 per black or red belt volunteer.

The cost is $25 for 1 or 2 events.  Spectators are FREE.  All 1st-3rd place finishers will be awarded medals.  Please register by Friday February 10th to aid in Tournament day fluidity.  Registrations may be dropped in the payment box or given to Mrs. Rosbarsky.

Competition start is staggered White and Yellow Belts -9:45, Green - Black Belts Competitors--12pm.

Please see the registration form for additional information or ask at the front desk.
[Facebook event]

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Stop By the Snack Bar

Our youngest athletes who will be traveling to Dallas for Junior Olympics this year have put together (with the help of Ms. Annie Graham) a healthy snack bar at the TKD school where you can get your after school snack or a hot cup of coffee to make your afternoon at TKD an even greater treat. So skip the mad rush to find your kids a snack before TKD and pick one up at the dojang and help these young athletes offset their pricey trip to Nationals.

Meet Our Instructors and Assistant Instructors

Many times in conversation we hear, "to get ALL your stuff done you  two should clone yourselves."

We have one-upped the cloning, we have groomed and encouraged our assistants, in some cases, for many years, to know what we know and teach in a  way that we teach with an engaged and genuine approach.  Although most of our assistants are in their teens and twenties they are knowledgeable and attentive to each individual student at MTC and have years of experience in Taekwondo.  They all have the ability to teach from a perspective that differs from our own.  With that we have an added dimension to all our classes.

We have many black belts who assist us on a regular basis some are paid, some are apprenticing and working toward being paid, still others are working solely to "pay it forward" and some have stepped out on a limb to teach in the community or at MTC.

Master Glenn Parks instructs our At Your Own Pace Taekwondo class and assists and fills in at MTC.

Ms. Kim Sturre instructs a Beginning TKD class at Dickinson Learning Center and assists and fills in at MTC (and creates a GREAT website for us.)

Mr Paul Befumo instructs a flagship program at Franklin.

Mrs. Bonnie Dotz instructs in elementary PE classes and leads and assists in many MTC classes.

Mr. Andy Mikkola and Mr. Ryan Watson each teach children's beginners classes and assist at MTC.

Ms Kara Hunton, Ms Abbey Ardiana, Mr. Dylan Ardiana, and Mr. Michael Graef assist weekly in many MTC classes.

Jake O'Brien is working at the front desk with Mrs. Amanda.  He is attentive and can help with many of your questions.

All of our black belts find themselves teaching weather it is an entire class or a portion of a class or helping one person with a Poomsae or a move.  And they all do a great job passing on what they know and growing themselves and their "family".

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Always Growing---How to Know When to Test

Belt Testing at Missoula Taekwondo Center is a constant process.  We hold tip tests monthly, colored belt tests every six weeks, and black belt tests every year.  Making a total of 38 days worth of tests each year.  All of this testing is to foster constant growth in each person's Taekwondo ability and life aptitude.  We want our students to be constantly expanding their knowledge, physical ability and their sense of self.

Tip tests are generally held the last class day of the month but not always so consistent attendance is important because it is all about showing up and doing your best.  To test for yellow--sr. red belts we encourage testing every 3-4 months (2 tests required to attain sr blue-sr red) This is a suggested time line but above all else we want to be certain all students will have a positive testing experience so please feel free to ask us if you have questions or concerns about test readiness.  Also test requirements are available online for free or at the dojang for $.50.  Poomsae sheets are $1 each and are a great tool along with the Power Poomsae DVDs.

We intend for testing to be a growing and learning process for all students and adequate preparation in consistent attendance and at home practice are the most important elements.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

MTC hosts USA-Taekwondo State Qualifier and Scrimmage with Electronic Hogu

On March 3rd on the U of M campus at Schreiber Gym we will host the Montana State USAT Qualifier for 2012 Nationals and Junior Olympics

The qualifier is for students who will be competing in the national competitions in Dallas Texas this summer.  The events included will be sparring, sport poomsae, breaking and demonstration.  Only athletes who are going to nationals need register for this event at hangastar.com

The Scrimmage and Seminar are an MTA event that all MTA members are encouraged to attend (become a member for $25 if you aren't already). The seminar will be taught by Master Rosbarsky and will feature the use of the Daedo electronic Hogu (purchase associated foot pads at truescore.com).  The seminar cost is $25 and can be paid at the door.

Spring Ripe with Tournament Opportunities

Spring in Montana will bring many opportunities to grown and test our skills we work so hard to develop year round.


Starting with our semiannual FUN Tournament on February 11th, there will be opportunities all across the state.


The MTC FUN tournament is for MTC students only and is held right here in our dojang.  The cost to enter is just $25 (less than 1/2 the cost of other tournaments).  It is the perfect event for tournament first timers and for everyone who wants to bang the dust off before the Montana Spring Tournament season gets under way.  We also use this as a time to teach the martial artists, referees, coaches, parents and tournament staff how best to fill their roll or multiple rolls.  Sign ups will be available later this month (watch the bulletin boards) and will come out int he February Newsletter, but mark your calendars now.  Every family who signs up in advance to volunteer (and volunteers) will get a $5 per hour credit toward the cost of their FUN Tournament registration.


Also this spring MTC students are preparing for tournaments large and small in Montana and across the country.  There will be Montana Tournaments in Livingston, Great Falls and Billings.  With us co-hosting the state tournament in Missoula with the MTAcademy.  The dates for these tournaments are not set yet, but stay tuned, information will be available soon.


We encourage ALL of our student to participate in tournaments.  It is the greatest opportunity to experience a safe but challenging test that each  martial artist will come away with a huge leap in personal growth.


We also have groups preparing for the US Open in Las Vegas, National Collegiates at MIT in Boston and Nationals in Dallas.  This year's Nationals team will consist of martial artists of all ages and belt levels from the 6 year old yellow belt to the 44 year old black belt.  To find out more about tournaments open next month's newsletter or ask Mrs. R.

from the Desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

MTC Ski Day

Join us for our annual Missoula Taekwondo Center Ski Day at Discovery Ski Area on January 21st.


We caravan to the hill, eat lunch together in the lodge, have a group picture and ski 1 run as a group.  We got a good group rate so adult lift tickets are $30 and child lift tickets are $15.  There are also good deals on rentals and half day lessons.  The sign up sheet is on the counter and to be included int he discount pricing please sign up and pay by January 13th.  You are welcome to join us if you do not sign up by the 13th but you will need to pay the regular price for skiing.  Also, if you have a season pass please join in our festivites.  Better start doing our snow dances now!!!

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky