Pride for club owner after winning national community gong
BEERWAH’S San Training Centre has won the Community Club of the Year award at the Australia Taekwondo National Awards on October 13.
It also kicked off the start of the Australian Taekwondo National Championships at which two athletes from San Training competed.
San Training Owner, Cameron Taylor, said he was extremely proud of his club’s achievement, and credited the success to the support of the local community.
“We have great members who come and support us all the time but we do try very hard to be inclusive,” Cameron said.
“We never turn students away even if they are having troubles in getting the discipline or the culture.”
“We are very committed to following that through, that’s what I believe the point of our club is.
“We want to ensure we have an environment where everyone feels welcome.”
Cameron still doesn’t know who nominated his club and said he certainly didn’t expect to be a finalist, let alone a winner.
“I still don’t know who nominated us and what they wrote about us,” he said.
“I am feeling really happy to win and its been great to see the support from the community and the club members.”
“There’s lots of people saying congratulations and saying that we deserve it so that’s really nice as well I think.
“I am really proud, I was quite shocked when we were nominated, someone must have seen the good work we do in the community, regardless I am very grateful for the support.”
Athletes Connor and Sonia both competed at the national championships with Sonia securing a silver medal after two gruelling fights, while Connor lost his fight in a close match, seeing him place fifth overall in his division.
“Sonia won her first fight really easily actually,” Cameron said.
“You have to win two out of three rounds and she won the first two rounds in 30 seconds, and then went down to a national team member in the final.”
“Connor unfortunately went out in his first fight, again he was fighting an experienced fighter and I wasn’t disappointed with his performance, he went really well by all accounts.”
The San Training Centre is now entering its off season following the national championships, however it will be back stronger than ever in 2024.
The club will also have its last belt grading for the year in December, however, there are no students ready to grade for a black belt this time round.