Profile - Mr Paul McPhail

What year and how old were you when you started Taekwon-Do?
I had been interested in Martial Arts since 1974. Some friends and I spent every lunch hour and after school practising. It wasn't until January 1975 that my parents finally let me join a club. Just by luck it happened to be Taekwon-Do. I had just turned thirteen.

We were taken out to a back room and drilled non-stop for hours. No breaks and no drinks, in a small hot room. He would try and break us so we wouldn't come back - at least that's how it seemed. Some times he would take us outside and make us sprint while running behind pushing us and yelling to run faster.

When did you receive your black belt?
Two of us managed to survive those early days and make it through to black belt in 1978. The grading was held at the Old Wool Room at Massey University. The floor was so slippery we had to soak our feet on wet towels at the side of the hall before running up to our marks. Black belt gradings were done at a normal coloured belt grading - making for a long night!

When did you start instructing?
Mr Ng gave me his children's class to teach in 1979 which was held on the weekends. In 1980 I moved to Wellington to study and became the Assistant Instructor of the Khandallah club under Mr Evan Davidson. I also taught Wednesday nights at the Miramar club. I graded to 3rd dan in 1984 and moved to Auckland to start my own club in Manurewa in 1985. We had 100 new members on the first night.

What are some of the biggest achievements you have made in Taekwon-Do?
Getting up at 6.00 am, 6 days a week for 6 months when I was training for my 6th dan. I even surprised myself!

Another great challenge was organising the Taekwon-Do at the opening of the 1990 Commonwealth Games. I worked with Mary Jane O'Reilly to choreograph the movements to music, and co-ordinated the twice weekly practices of the 120 strong Taekwon-Do team. It was a great event and a privilege to have been a part of it.

What is the highlight of your Taekwon-Do Career?
There are so many it's difficult to say. The first International Camp at Massey University in 1979 was awesome.

The seminar in Brisbane in 1981 also has great memories for me. I graded to 2nd dan there, and Mr Davidson and I both won Special Techniques Competitions, and we witnessed Master CK Choi performing Moon Moo Tul.

What are your personal goals for the future?
My goals in Taekwon-Do relate to instructing rather than any achievements of rank or technique. I want to continue to improve as an instructor, to be able to motivate my students so they can achieve their goals. This is the challenge every Instructor faces weekly.

What are your goals for ITFNZ in the future?
My mission is to effect a change in the general attitude of our membership. I want to see the ITFNZ black belt wear his or her belt with real pride in their art and their organisation. I want the black belt to signify a person not just with some physical ability, but also of someone with total commitment and dedication to Taekwon-Do. Sadly, the only events we tend to see good attendance at are gradings and tournaments, which are generally for the advancement or glory of the individual. If we want ITFNZ to make a difference, we have to encourage more unselfish thinking and an understanding of the Taekwon-Do Moral Culture.

Which Taekwon-Do practitioners have influenced you the most?

• Mr Norman Ng, my instructor. A super nice man and someone who has always supported me, inside and outside the Dojang.
• Mr Evan Davidson, from whom I always learn a tremendous amount. He is a very positive person and I respect that greatly.
• Master YK Yun, from whom I learnt much about the generation of power, kicking and instructing style.
• General Choi Hong Hi of course, it is an honour to have trained with him on many occasions.
• Grand Master Sereff from the United States has also been of tremendous support to me and the organisation over the years.

In your view, how has Taekwon-Do changed in New Zealand in the past few years (for better, for worse)?
Compared to ten years ago, we have more tournaments, camps, seminars, gradings and clubs. We have increased our knowledge and our skills - no doubt about it. There is access to far more information too, whether it be in written form, video or on-line.

The down side to this is that it tends to be taken for granted and not appreciated. In 1979 half our club drove from Palmerston North to Hamilton to watch a 20 minute demonstration by Master Hee il Cho. These days it's near impossible to get 30 people to drive across town to train with a visiting 9th dan! Ironically, I think that ITFNZ has done such a great job of bringing everything to our doorstep, it's now not really appreciated.

Also not appreciated is that today, unlike 15 years ago, we have a democratically run organisation. ITFNZ is admired around the world for this, as many groups are run by the most senior in their art, regardless of that person's management skills or ability. Our organisation is run by an amazing group of volunteers, who spend so much of their personal time planning and organising events, dealing with disputes, paper work and accounts - and often for little thanks. Until you have been on the Executive or a Sub-Committee, you just don't appreciate the work involved.

What do you think makes a good Taekwon-Do practitioner?
One that turns up. I respect the people in Taekwon-Do that you can depend on. This an important characteristic of a good Taekwon-Do student. He or she should also strive to be respectful and courteous at all times, and challenge themselves to do things out of their comfort zone. I hope I also encourage my students to be humble and considerate of others. And with practice, the good techniques will follow.