Pioneer Taekwon-do Association

About the Pioneer Tae Kwon Do Association

The Pioneer Tae Kwon Do Association is an association for those that want more for their clubs and students than just competition sparring and patterns. The purpose of the association is to allow instructors to run their clubs as they see fit and to maintain their own syllabuses, but maintain a common purpose throughout; and that is keeping the 'martial' side of Tae Kwon Do the main priority.

What makes the Pioneer Tae Kwon Do Association different from others is its structure. It does not have a tight and rigid syllabus structure like most big Tae Kwon Do organisations but neither is it just a loose collection of clubs that meet and train together occasionally.

It's aim is to make all students capable in self defence by the time they reach black belt, as well as ensuring the patterns are utilized for what they are supposed to be by using decent boon hae (applications), all the while retaining everything that makes Tae Kwon Do what it is!

It achieves this by implementing a system called 'Key Stages'. Basically this means that instructors run their clubs how they wish, teaching what they wish (whilst adhering to some basic principles such as keeping the patterns/forms in the correct learning order). Key Stages are simply areas that must be incorporated into the syllabus by certain stages (eg. Hosinsul at 4th kup), though they can be implemented beforehand if an instructor so wishes. Everything is then brought togethor in preperation for a Black Belt grading, which are run by a group of instructors (including the clubs own instructor) meaning 'accountability' which ensures all instructors maintain the required standards and thus, their students achieve high levels in training by working towards this.

The association was started by Stuart Anslow, 4th degree, with the help and assistance of Dave Melton, 5th degree, Colin Wee, 5th degree, Terry Stoker, 4th Degree, Elliott Walker, 3rd degree, Peter Whitehead, 3rd degree and Vikram Gautam, 2nd degree; all instructors around the globe who feel Tae Kwon Do is on a slippery slope and is losing its effectiveness as a martial art and want to maintain its martial elements and push it forward. It has a 'Knights of the Round Table' equality with organisational issues, as well as any other issues agreed via each club instructor on a 1 man, 1 vote principle, with majority rule.

Though the aim of the association is to ensure the art of Tae Kwon Do maintains its martial roots it is not opposed to competition, or other areas related to training, it's just that these are not its priority. Member clubs are welcome to compete in any tournaments whenever and wherever they like, train with whom they wish but the 'key stages' must be incorporated into standard training. Full members grade via the association standards and this will ensure quality across the board. There are a few other (minor) standards that full members need to follow, so please read the FAQ about these.

The association also has scope for instructors that are already part of a Tae Kwon Do organisation, clubs not from the UK or the US, as well as individuals who simply want to improve what they do. Please see the Membership section for further details.