Profile - Master Paul 'The Boss' McPhail

by Mark Banicevich, IV dan
and Matthew Breen, IV dan
Co-editors, Taekwon-Do Talk

What got you interested in Taekwon-Do? How did you get started?

I was initially interested in Martial Arts at the time Bruce Lee hit the movie screens around 1973. We spent a lot of time choreographing fight scenes from what we could remember from the movies (no video in those days), and we even made our own home kung fu movie. Early 1975 a friend asked me if I wanted to join the Napier Road Kung Fu club and I said sure! Turned out to be the Palmerston North Taekwon-Do club – thank goodness.

Who has inspired you and why?

Master YK Yun was initially a great inspiration to me. He had amazing kicks and was a great instructor. I had a keen interest in all the original ITF Masters and tried to learn as much about them as I could.

	A young McPhail grading for his green stripe in 1975

My fellow students in the early days were inspiring, with plenty of healthy competition between us. People such as Alan Davis, Richard Hall, Andrew Salton, Gerald Joe and Michael Lowe. Later Mr Evan Davidson would inspire me to do better and I learned a great deal from him for which I am so grateful.

On my first trip to the United States in 1986 there were many inspiring people I met that had a lasting influence: Grand Master Sereff, Master Mike Winegar, Dr Frank Elliot, and Mr Scott Sereff.

Finally General Choi Hong Hi. An amazing man and I proud to have met him on many occasions – something I will always cherish. He was completely focused on what we wanted to achieve at all times and never tired of teaching. He would just teach, teach, teach – then at the end of a 5 day course when you try and take him sightseeing he would start talking about a block or a pattern movement! Truly inspiring.

What are your goals for the future in Taekwon-Do?

I have always had goals – the first ones were as a green stripe – I wanted to have a side kick like Master Yun and become an examiner. I never did achieve that side kick!

I am now committed to fulfilling my role as member of the ITF Communications Committee and Vice President of the OTF. It is my goal to see some real improvements in the professionalism of the ITF.

I am also enthusiastically continuing my work with ITFNZ and do what I can to contribute to improving the organisation and its standing in New Zealand.

Finally I would like to improve as an instructor. Seeing my students' achievements are some of the most enjoyable moments in Taekwon-Do for me.

What are two of your outstanding Taekwon-Do memories?

Firstly: being in the same room as Gen. Choi when he was cross-legged on his chair at a table, in his pyjamas, writing his autobiography.

Secondly: the moment the theme music played at the conclusion of the World Champs in Poland (when NZ came 3rd). A very special moment.

What years did you open clubs?

• Manurewa 1985
• North Shore 1985
• Papakura 1988
• Waiau Pa 2004

What are your current Taekwon-Do positions?

• Member of the ITF Communications Committee (appointed July 2004)
• Vice President, Oceania Taekwon-Do Federation
• Technical Director of ITFNZ Taekwon-Do
• Chief Examiner for ITFNZ Taekwon-Do

Any other martial arts related awards?

• ITFNZ President's Award 2003
• Inducted into New Zealand Martial Arts Hall of Fame, 2002
• ITFNZ Honorary Life Member 1999
• ITF Outstanding Instructor Medal, 1994