Presidents New Year Message 2020
Dear INTA Members,
2020 is coming to an end and it has not been a good year for any of us involved in our beloved Taekwon-Do. We have had to deal with the ups and downs of lockdown at different times during the year, and with the uncertainty of being able to run our individual schools.
Some of us tried to return to Taekwon-Do training when we were allowed to do so, however, since March, we have had to close our schools, and this has taken a physical and mental strain on us all. All events for the year had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. Some of our instructors were able to get back to online classes and I commend them for this, unfortunately some were either not in a position to move their classes online or did not have the facilities to do so.
In life we are all thrown a curve ball at times that makes us sit up and take account of our lives, where we are going with it, and how we are going to change it. This year, we have all had plenty of time to reflect on what has been happening in our Taekwon-Do lives and personal lives because of COVID 19 and, hopefully, make some changes for the future.
COVID 19 is still here in our country and restrictions are, unfortunately, part of our daily lives. Many people have been infected by this virus and, sadly, many have died from it. My condolences go out to anyone who may have been put in this terrible situation.
Nevertheless, things are looking promising for the future with the introduction of a new vaccine to be rolled out in the new year and, hopefully, we will all soon be back in our schools training and teaching once again.
Even though many events from the INTA 2020 calendar were cancelled, there has been plenty going behind the scenes with the Board and Executive working hard on behalf of the association. There are events planned for 2021 but they will be subject to the restriction at the time.
Most recently, during our AGM, we had an election for the INTA Executive and Board positions, and I am delighted to announce the following results:
Executive members:
President: Grand Master Val Douglas
Vice-President: Master Gerry Martin
Secretary: Mr Keith Matthews
Treasurer: Mr Liam Carberry
Board members:
Mr Tony Mc Donagh (Munster Area)
Ms Nicole Douglas (Dublin Area)
Ms Nicola Bergin (Rest of Ireland)
I would also like to thank the previous Executive and Board members for their many years of hard work and immense contributions to the INTA:
Grand Master Brendan O Toole
Master Alan Troy
Mr Gareth Curran
Mr Jeroen Wezelman
On behalf of the Executive and Board of the INTA, I would like to wish you all a happy, safe and healthy New Year.
Grand Master Val Douglas
INTA President.