Auckland Demonstration Team

In early 1995 Mr Andrew Niven approached instructors of the Auckland Region with an idea to create a permanent demonstration team. Five years earlier [1990], a team of exceptional students and instructors had toured around the country performing demonstrations for a few weeks, but the idea of a permanent team had never been considered.

With the Region’s go-ahead, trials were held by Mr Mark Rounthwaite (coach) and Mr Niven (team captain) on 24 February 1995. At this time, the team also had a compere (Mr Neil Breen) and a secretary (Miss Anna Verrall).

A couple of weeks later, the first training session was held. It was the day before the team’s first demonstration – a tense time, because three new members had had to be recruited to replace a couple of last minute drop-outs.

That demonstration, now considered to be the birthday of the Auckland Demonstration Team, was performed on 5 March 1995 for Cycle For Life in Te Puru Park, Beachlands. The team comprised Andrew Niven, Matthew Breen, Jeanette Joe, Sarah King, Mark Trotter, Daniel Sullivan, Neil Breen (compere), and the late recruits Trevor Fong, Francis Fong, and Saul Harman.

In the last weekend of March, the team had its first training camp. It was here that many of the memorable items of future demonstrations were created, such as the “Bus Stop” skit and Andrew’s “Throw-Francis-Around” routine.

A short time later, the team performed before its first Taekwon-Do audience at an Auckland Regional Camp at Camp Adair, Hunua. The then President and then Secretary of ITFNZ, Mr Peter Graham and Mr Quentin Travis, bestowed their favour upon the team.

Further milestones were reached on 4 June 1995, when the team debuted to the rest of New Zealand at the 1995 National Tournament in Wellington, and in January 1996, when the team performed for the father of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi, and Masters C E Sereff and Tom McCallum.

1996 was a busy year for the team, with demonstrations held almost every week of the year. Memorable moments for the team include the switching of roles by Saul and Sarah in the “Bus Stop” skit at an Auckland Regional Camp, the earning of nicknames such as “Big Col”, “9.95”, and “Ice”, and demonstrations for the opening nights Mortal Kombat and Rumble In The Bronx at Hoyts Village 8 in Auckland’s Hyland Park.

Many of the members retired at the end of this time, ending the first era of the team. A few months later the team opened up to coloured belts to reimburse its numbers.

The team continued to perform demonstrations at Have-A-Go Days, movie theatres and Taekwon-Do events, but some of the original zest had been lost.

In August 1998, after an embarrassing demonstration at the National Tournament in Auckland, the team decided to pursue a new era of excellence. It was at this time that Mr Mark Banicevich and Mr Matthew Breen took the weight of team organisation from Mr Niven’s shoulders. A new wave of talent entered the team to replace those that had been lost; new ideas were entertained, along with new audiences. A new wave of nicknames, such as “0900 Hard Man”, and a new wave of memorable moments.

Performances in early 1999 included the Mai FM preview of “Rush Hour” at the St James theatre in Auckland, and its largest ever crowd at an Auckland Warriors’ rugby league game in Ericsson Stadium.

In February 2002, after 2.5 years leading the team and organising demonstrations, Mr Banicevich left the team following work commitments in Sydney, Australia. The team is now managed by Mr Daniel Jackson, who has been in the team since 1998.

In 2003 the team has taken on a new life and they are comng up with new ideas. They performed some demonstrations early in the year and are looking forward to more in the summer of 2003.

Anyone interested in joining the ATD should contact the Regional Director, Mrs Sue Breen.