St Albans TaeKwonDo is sharing plans for the year ahead, which include celebrating 30 years with their chief instructor and competing at the 20th Annual South East TaeKwonDo Opens.

Chief instructor Master Chris Snow has been running the group of non-profit clubs since April 1994 and has recently been graded to 8th degree black belt by the ITF Union Executive, one grade away from the highest degree.

A spokesperson for the club said: “Master Snow’s ethos is we must not just cater for those who can afford to train but those who want to learn, as often the best practitioners come from those less fortunate.

“The clubs are self-sufficient and have never had any grants of support, yet we have still produced world, European and national champions and more than 150 black belts, some who have moved on to become instructors.”

On March 3, the clubs will be hosting the 20th Annual South East TaeKwonDo Opens, the largest UK event which is supported by a further 70 groups. These events have donated more than £40,000 to charity over the years.

The spokesperson added: “Master Snow and his team have been innovators in event hosting, making many rival groups update their safety practices.

“For instance, we have forced almost every UK event to up their game and use safety mats, which we have used from day one, as well as the implementation of a first aid team.”

Find out more at www.stalbanstaekwondo.com

Photo credit: St Albans TaeKwonDo