Pioneer Taekwon-do Association

FAQ: Frequently Asked Question

Is this really that different from any other large Tae Kwon Do organisation?
Yes. Please re-read the 'About Us' page, the 'Key Stages' page and the 'Dan Gradings' and compare to any other large Taekwon-do organisation and the differences will become clear. Furthermore, unless directly involved (ie. sitting on a grading panel) association members do not collect fees from any gradings (either Dan or Kup gradings).

I'm not a Ch'ang Hon or ITF based club/student.. can I still join?
Yes, apart from the pattern sets and competition type sparring, all other areas are the same if implimented.

Where can I read what the requirements are for Full members?
Download this PDF

Why 'Tae Kwon Do' and not 'Taekwon-do' or 'Taekwondo'?
After initial consultation with its founder members, it was felt fairer to use the term 'Tae Kwon Do' as the generic name as the other versions are largely associated with the ITF or WTF and we want the association to be open to all styles of Tae Kwon Do and thus reflect that in the name. However, you do not have to change your schools name, as its purely regarding the Association description.

Why are you called Pioneer Tae Kwon Do Association?
For two reasons: 1) Its a pioneering concept in what we want to achieve, the ideals we are striving for and the way we are going about it 2) It follows the footsteps of the true pioneers of Tae Kwon Do by keeping the art alive and martial

Do we have to change insurers?
Not unless you want to. We are happy for you to remain with whomever you insure under presently, just be sure they cover the type of training you will be incorporating, though most will already.

Do you do insurance if we want it?
Not directly but we can help with it. Please contact us for further details. It will of course remain optional unless members vote otherwise.

Do we all have to get new uniforms?
No. Its about the training, not what you wear. In time we will ask members to wear a simple patch to show you are members and that we are all part of one big family, no matter what dobok you are wearing.

I like the idea but also like my current association, can I still join my club?
Yes, as an Associate members if you cannot commit to the Dan gradings run by this association or as a Full member if you can. As long as whomever you are aligned with do not control what you can or can't do in your own school, you are welcome to stay with them and become a part of this association as a Full Member. If they control what you need to do for gradings, for example insisting you grade you black belts under them, via their requirements, that is fine and you can still join as an Associate member. See the Membership page for further details.

I'm not from the UK, can I join?
Yes, please see the Membership page for what this entails

Is Stuart Anslow the chief instructor and is his word law?
No, he is simply the guy that founded the Association and will be there to help guide it, along with the other Full Member instructors. In this association, all instructors are equal and can request changes, which are then voted on. Full Members have equal voting rights in regards to any suggested changes.

When you say 'Member' is that the club instructor or the whole club?
When an instructor joins his club, both he/she and their students become members, however it is the instructor that has the vote (if he/she joins as Full Members). Obviously, this doesnt apply for Individual Membership. To be clear, thats 1 club 1 vote ie. the main instructor gets the vote, not instructors under him.

Who can join as an Individual Member?
Anyone whose instructor/club isnt already a member though they should be 4th kup or higher in grade.

I am a 4th/5th/6th/7th etc. is there still scope for personal advancement?
Indeed there is, please contact us to discuss how this works in more detail

I am a 4th/5th/6th/7th etc. Dan, does that gain me extra priviledges?
No, though your grade will be respected, you are an equal to all other instructors

I am a 4th/5th/6th/7th etc. I can't learn anything off a lower grade can I?
That is not the attiude we want in this organisation. If you have an ego then you are looking at the wrong association and would be better off joining elseware. Everyone can learn off everyone else, even if its a different viewpoint or different way of doing something similar.

I am a 4th/5th/6th/7th etc. its beneath me to train under lower grades!
Most instructors would relish the chance for some training time of their own, by running group training in the way described, this becomes a reality. If your ego holds you back, then there is no point you joining us I'm afraid.

Who can vote?
The club (main) instructor as long as they are Full Members

Why dont Associate & Individual members have voting rights?
Because ultimatly, any changes implimented are not directly going to affect them unless they choose to impliment them, themselves. Full members on the other hand have to impliment any changes voted on and so have the vote in each matter to decide the best way forward for the association. However, all members are able to make their opinions heard and discuss issues via the association forum.

Why is Full Membership cheaper than Associate Membership?
Because we appreciate that whilst all members will gain in the areas of training that this association is about, it is the Full Members who are going to extra lengths adding the 'Key Stages' to their syllabus, attending & supporting the Dan Gradings etc.

Do you run competitions?
No. We may do if and when the association grows large enough, but as this is not the main aim of the association all clubs are encourgaed to attend and support Tournaments run by clubs in this association, open Taekwon-do tournaments, as well as those they presently attend on a regular basis.

Do you dislike competition?
Not at all, we feel they have many benefits, but we also feel that modern Tae Kwon Do places too much emphasis on them. Competition sparring can be part of classes and clubs can attend as many competitions as they like. Member clubs are welcome to run their own tournaments and invite association members to compete there as well.

Will my Dan grade be recognised as soon as I join?
Yes, we recognise all Dan grades, but will only endorse it (ie. list you as 'Established') when your practises are equal to those of the association (and this is for instructors only). Black belt students are also recognised but will only be endorsed (ie. listed as Established) once they have graded following the association rules and criteria. Black Belts from Associate member schools are listed as 'recognised' as we recognised their rank, but as they have not graded under the rules and criteria of the association they have not established themselves under the auspicies of the association requirements and hence are listed as recognised only. Think of it as wanting to be a rally driver.. we recognise the fact that you can drive a car, but you have to be able to drive it the way the rally drivers do and until then we cant endorse it. Once the association is happy, the club instructor will be endorsed, but students will not be until they grade via an Association grading - this applies to Full member clubs only.

Whats the difference between a recognised black belt and a PTA black belt within this association?
By recognised we mean if you turn up at your first group training session as a 2nd degree, you will be treated as a 2nd degree no matter what. By using the term PTA black belt it endorses the fact that you have graded under the PTA regulations.

Will you issue me a new Dan Grade certificate if I join?
No, not until you actually grade (and pass) under the Pioneer Tae Kwon Do Association in a formal mannner.

My old instructor isnt part of this organisation but I like him sitting on our Dan gradings, can he still do this?
Yes, we welcome outside examiners, but they must be clued up on what is required within this organisation with regards to black belt gradings. Outside examiners should be cleared with the member instructors, however this shouldnt be a problem if they are credible.

I don't furfil some of the basic requirements, can I still join?
Yes, but only as an Associate or Individual Member unless you endeavour to furfill the basic requirements in time.

I have a Dan grading taking place soon and won't be able to impliments all the requirements by then, what should I do?
All new schools that join as Full members have up to 1 year to impliment the Key stages and the Dan grading requirements, so it doesnt affect any gradings that may be approaching.

What are your requirements for higher Dan grades (ie. 3rd dan and above)
Please see the regulations document for timelines and requirements in full. In brief, all grades are restricted by 'age', 'time in current grade' and other requirements, as well as all gradings being a physical grading up to 6th degree.

I have black belts that wouldnt meet the strict grade requirements, what should I do?
We do not believe that any school should have to demote a student if they do not fit the requirements of this association. That said however, once a school becomes a full member, adherence to the guidelines from then on is required. Please contact one of the verification panel with any questions relating to this if you have further concerns.

I have no other clubs close to me, is this a problem?
No, this is an issue we have forseen for some school and understand that some schools may not be able to furfill the requirements due to this and as such have special guidelines relating to this sort of situation. Please contactt one of the verification panel regarding such an issue.

We don't do any Knife Defence (or other area) at my club as I was never taught it, so maybe this isnt for me?
Any areas that you feel you need help with to introduce, we will do our best to help you. Do not worry as we know many clubs do not cover various sections of the key stages, but within a single Group Training session, these elements can be started to be introduced within a club and expanded upon later.

As a member, can I host a Group Training session at my dojang?
Definately. The more venues we have the better. In time we hope to run these sessions in various parts of the country (as well as internationally) to enable clubs to go to more localised sessions.

If I run a seminar do I have to offer the discount?
Yes, we feel this is a courtesy we would like to afford to the membership, plus it will increase seminar participation as well. However, if a member is hosting a seminar with an instructors that simply charges his own rates per person, then you do not have to offer discount. The idea is to offer a benefit and increase participation, not lose money! You also do not have to suddenly offer discounts on any seminars you may have arranged before you joined.

If I'm not happy can I leave?
Of course, we are here to improve the training of everyone involved, not try to dominate the world with poor quality black belts, it really is a case of quality not quantity. Though we feel this is unlikely, instructors & clubs are free to leave, with no hard feelings, if they wish. However, no refunds will be issued.

What is it exactly doing for Tae Kwon Do?
Its ensuring quality in the 'martial' area of the art whilst keeping mainstream Tae Kwon Do as Tae Kwon Do. No giving out of black belts willynilly to bolster an organisation here, the Pioneer Tae Kwon Do Association IS the quality seal for Tae Kwon Do.