Saturday Night Events:
Nicely done, although a few more bouts would
of been ideal.
Dinner at the Venue: Worked
out better than I thought it would.
ID Cards: This was really
neat. Nice souveneirs.
General Feedback: Overall
an awesome experience. Well done to all
those whom ran the show behind the scenes.
For future reference, could we please stick
to the proposed schedule published online?
I would rather finish a days events early
than try and cram some Sunday events into
the Saturday programme. That way, it doesnt
muck around with competitors. But yeah,
bring on Midlands 08!!!
Anon
Saturday Night Events:
I think this is a great idea and means everyone
can see the top competitors in action. Would
love to see a repeat exhibition of the winning
pre-arranged sparring like they did at the
world champs. Centre stage lighting would
be awesome but I appreciate that the volunteers
setting up and organising the event have
a lot to consider and that this would be
quite a bit of work... however it would
make it more spectacular. I also endorse
the suggestion of music and MC. The Te Awamutu
kickboxing events do this and is adds to
the atmosphere and excitement.
Dinner at the Venue: I
was pleasantly surprised how well this worked.
The queing was a problem but hey... there
were a lot fo people to feed. The food was
just awesome. Well done!
General Feedback: Well
done to all the volunteers running this
tournament. You set a high standard. I liked
the way the announcer promoted the sponsors
- they contribute a lot of cash and need
to be well looked after which I felt they
were. A lot of us were disappointed in the
"best" belt trophys not being
awarded. Regardless of international standards,
this is a disappointment and I think playoffs
should be reinstated. Just my opinion tho.
Doug Hanna
Saturday Night Events:
Events at Saturday night dinner is a great
idea! Maybe next year, the concept can be
built on...TKD finals night should be built
up like a show. Some ideasX Need anouncer
and maybe even running commentry Need Music
and Entertainment ie when competitors come
into the ring they could choose a theme
song Have a lighting system around or above
the ringand rest of the venue in darkness
Give the athletes a few hours rest before
the finals so they can recover/eat something
(it was a long day for many blackbelts who
where in multiple events one after the other
- hard to perform on the night after a hard
day like that) Show pre-arranged winners
on final night, with their concent of course
(always exciting) Maybe have a demo prepared
for spectators, to show off other spectacular
aspects of TKD to supporters, things they
would not normally be able to see A program
for finals night might be a good idea as
well
Dinner at the Venue: Not
sure how, but some method to reduce the
wiating time for dinner? More serving tables?
ID Cards: Tags were brilliant. Maybe have
the tournament logo printed on them (cost
dependent Im sure)as many people will keep
them as a souvenir
General Feedback: Tournament
was well run Amazing that it finished as
early as it did,real credit to the organising
team. You are all amazing! "Best overall" awards
were a bit disapointing. A system which
results in non of them being awarded, is
flawed. Either a fair way of having a play
off is needed. Someone suggested theory
as beign fairer than patterns or sparring,
as each belt level should know their corresponding
theory. Another idea is to create more
categories, ie further split best overall
categories into male and female, or junior,
intermetiate, senior and veteran? At the
awards dinner on Saturday, would have been
nice to have print outs of what each person
was nominated for and what they did to
deserve their nomination, so we could learn
a bit more about the recipients Thank you
for all your hard work. Im sure everyone
at the tournament appreciated your time
and effort
Anon
Just a quick message to Mrs Breen and
her Team to say thanks for a great weekend
and a well run Tournament. Fun had by all
from the Wellington Team and we enjoyed
the hospitality.
Nick Lorantos
Daturday Night Events: With
young competitors, the dinner is really
not an option, after many hours travelling
the day before.
ID Cards: These
are a great idea. Am sure
the system of recognising
and taking off etc will improve.
General Feedback: A
great tournament. I understand
why you elected to have all
BB events on Saturday, but
meant for a nervous wait
for coloureds and Sunday
felt flat. The tournament
doesn't seem to have the
'build up' factor about it.
Having team events later
on Sunday may achieve this.
The sound system was inaudible
from upstairs. This made
it hard to feel apart of
proceedings. Otherwise, a
fun weekend.
Loyal supporter of three competitors!
Dinner at the venue: it
draged out for the kids,
no other drinks avil, thought
the meal was limited
General Feedback: i
felt not having playoffs
for best overall belts
was unfair and i would
love to have bigger divisons
or more alowed to compete
so there are more bouts.
otherwise i thought the
tournament ran very smooth
and was enjoyed by all
P Parata
Saturday Night
Events: Went
on for too long..
many hungry people.
Perhaps do the BB's
patterns only.
Dinner at the
venue: Not much
socialising went on...
perhaps a bar would help
ID Cards: Colour
scheme could be improved
General Feedback: Tournament
was well organised.
However, there was/is
a big confusion regarding
Best belt trophies.
If there wasn't time
for playoffs, then
perhaps best equal
trophies should be
awarded. Congrats to
Counties Manukau for
the best region. Would've
been nice to announce
total points for all
regions, just so that
each region gets to
cheer to finish off
the tournament.
Anon
Saturday Night
Events:team
sparring would have
been good - but a
long day for those
competing.
Dinner at the
venue: I agree
that it could have been
started during the finals.
(and a bar)
General Feedback: I
thought it was great
having BBs on first
day. If some Black
belts didn't turn up
on the Sunday then
it is a sad reflection
on them individually.
I also wondered why
everyone didn't form
up in Do bok at the
end as requested on
the Sunday.
Neil Kettings
General Feedback: We
are getting a really
good variety of comment
here. Right down
to the dinner table
closest to the doors
being cold - this
is all stuff that
will help to make
a better experience
next time. So we
encourage anyone
with any such thought
to add it here. It
is marvellous to
get a sponsor's viewpoint,
(especially one like
that Xo) and I certainly
feel pride in our
People and our Organisation
on reading Mr Thompson's
comments. It is very
heartening to see
that the general
impression was of
smooth organisation,
because I assure
you many times during
the two days one
feels like that duck,
paddling furiously
underneath.
Of course a large number of people contribute
to the success - but I would like to take
the opportunity here to mention the group
that are dearest to the Chief Recorder's
heart. Our tournaments would not run to
schedule if it were not for the Ring Marshalls.
Their job is at times like herding cats,
and these folk are run off their feet non-stop
from the start of the tournament to the
very end - with little drop in pressure
in between. The Recorders create the competition
schedule - my personal "best thing
about the tournament" was how close
it ran to that schedule - and as far as
I am concerned, the Marshalls made that
happen. (The only minor hiccup we had,
was with a few "less than 100% cooperative" Senior
Black Belt competitors on Saturday afternoon)
We have come to rely on a small core group,
who are simply really good at their job,
and give example to the rest, lead by Mrs
DonnaMaree Edwards, and Mr David Parker.
I would very much like to hear some feedback
from Managers and Coaches on the topic "Did
you like the On-line entry forms / Registration" It
certainly made life easier for us getting
all the entrants into the Draw!
Neil Breen
Saturday Night
Events: Prevents
some from attending.
Dinner tickets expensive
for those who travel
long distances. Unable
to watch even though
only a spectator.
Haven't been to a
national dinner for
some time. Like to
have a bit of fun!
ID Cards: ...easily
misplaced, especially
the Juniors!
General Feedback: Great
to see the black
belt events all on
one day. Enables
us more quality time
to spend on the coloured
belts on the Sunday.
For first time coloured
belts, a level of
disappointment if
there is only two
or three in their
division as they
really appreciate
honing their sparring
skills at Nationals.
Tournament was however
extremely well organised.
Great to see medals
presentations at
the end of each division.
Everything flowed.
No rush. The $50
entry fee is too
high.
anon
Saturday Night
Events: undecided
makes it late finish
for juniors, nice
to know which events
likely to be involved.
Hard on competitors
too.
Dinner at Venue: it
is an awful lot of work
for the hosts, more than
necessary if it was else
where.Atmosphere and
heating missing those
near the entrance doors
froze all evening. Food
was great the wait wasnt.
ID Cards: do
they have to be so
big. Perhaps a separate
colour for each district
or was it for each
belt colour havent
worked that out yet?
General Feedback: The
orgainsation was great
a difficult job well
done. Agree outside
signs would have been
good. liked five rings
the big screen on both
sides of the hall would
be nice, better sound
system upstairs above
the microphone it was
impossible to hear
a single word. A results
board or screen would
be great too if posible.
Liked medal ceremonies
after each event nice
to acknowledge quickly
and should lessen the
time for closing ceremony.
Disappointed that the
best over all belt
trophies not awarded.
Must be a way to sort
that.... play off,
best junior, and adult
(what about new intermediate
categorty too) Even
a certificate something
to help those sucesfull
know their achievement
was recognised. Personally
I think the trophies
should have been awarded
and a duplicate obtained
for the one not presented
on the day perhaps
a smaller version they
could keep? At the
very least they should
have photographed the
winners with the trophy
even if they didnt
keep it. On subject
of medals I am aware
of the problems that
the medals create but
it would have been
nice if there was a
difference for the
spaing and patterns
medals even the ribbon
just something to differentiate
them. only minor comments
a postive weekend and
dont we have a lot
of tallented people.
role on the worlds
lets show them NZ!
anon
Saturday Night
Events: Didn't
think it was a particularly
good setting for
black-belt sparring
finals to take place.
Kind of like having
seating arrangements
at a heavy metal
concert... great
atmosphere for patterns
though!
Dinner at Venue: Ensured
plenty of space available
for people dining...
as opposed to packing
in like sardines as we
did in Wellington in
2006
General Feedback: Might
have been a nice idea
to have team event at
the end of the tournament
to really go out with
a bang, although the
comment has been made
by some BB's that it
was relieving to have
got all their events
out of the way so they
could focus on the colour
belts the second day.
Sound system needs to
be improved, as quality
upstairs was dismal.
Venue was nice and intimate
without being too small.
anon
Saturday Night
Events: although
not sure how fair
it was on the competitors.
Would have been good
to see Mark Trotter
sparring - maybe
have team sparring
and patterns only
instead of individual
events.
General Feedback: Mr
and Mrs Breen and Mr
Eccles - you were fantastic.
Mr Hanna - never stopped
even during the dinner,
and such good quality
photos. Well organised
tournament. Not sure
about the $20 entry fee.
There is no way of telling
how many people were
discouraged by an entry
fee but I know of 10
(and they knew the competitors!).
A play-off for best overall
trophies would have been
good even if the points
weren't included in the
overall result. Might
as well give them to
someone.
anon
Saturday Night
Events: it
was nice but since
not all go to dinner
i think it would
be better to have
during the day so
better support
Dinner at Venue: i
did and i didn't, i would
like to have regions
mixed at tables where
ever we have dinner that
way we can socialise
better instead of just
being with your own team
ID Cards: a
little annoying but easy
to get used to, photos
would be good but not
necessary
General Feedback: we
need to advertise to
the general public, there
was no sign outside the
stadium saying what was
happening and my team
mates in law had heard
nothing about it. don't
move events up, it's
ok to be running ahead,
but one of my juniors
was meant to be on about
three, then he was told
to be ready at eleven,
then after lunch and
was on after four so
please follow the program
next year.
Sean Lukken
Saturday Night
Events: Team
events would be exciting
General Feedback: Awesome
event, very well organized
and professional
Anon
General Feedback: Saturday
night was a great idea,
but it lacked the atmosphere
of last year's Saturday
night. This year the
food ran out, and there
wasn't enough juice
and water on the tables.
It would be good to
have guides for spectators
after they enter the
event - to show them
where seating, toilets,
food, and stalls are.
And also to tell spectators
a little about the
event and answer questions.
From outside, you couldn't
tell there was anything
going on at the Stadium.
Would be great to have
flags or some other
signage outside the
Stadium on the roadside.
Perhaps we could have
a standard, "An
exciting Taekwon-Do
event inside..." banner?
Alternatively we could
get a banner made for
the event. Some objected
to the $20 entry fee
(although they also
thought the ticket
stubs were silly, and
we know to the contrary
how useful that information
will be, and one student
who came and did pay
didn't object).
Anon
Saturday Night
Events: Didn't
go as kids competing
next day
ID Cards: Compliance
will only improve as
people get use to the
idea
General Feedback: Prefer
2 minutes round for sparring
or inform before event,
sound system was hard
to hear upstairs. Venue
was good and central,
toilets upstair needed
maintenance. Excellent
date 1st weekend School
holidays "Huge Tick".
5 judges on most rings
for patterns "awesome
effort". All appeared
to flow smoothly
John Kerkvliet
Dinner at
Venue: The
atmosphere was very
poor and flat at
the venue - Wellington
was much better.
While the food was
good, I found I couldn't
fit enough on my
plate and when I
went for seconds
(over twenty mins
after the first meal)
there was still a
queue which is pretty
poor for people having
to wait that long
for dinner. Also,
needed a bar! Whoever
failed to get the
liquor license really
should get one next
year - it would have
been a huge improvement
to the whole evening!
General Feedback: Need
a sign advertising what
is going on inside the
venueX I talked to several
people who drove/walked
past who said they would
have come in if they
had known what was going
on inside but due to
a lack of (visible?)
signage they kept on
going. However, these
'walk ins' would have
been discouraged by the
$20 fee, in fact, they
all stated that they
would not have paid $20,
or even $10 for something
they knew absolutely
nothing about. Furthermore,
people would be more
likely to come if they
paid per day, that is,
$10 per day and if they
did come back on the
next day they could pay
another $10.
Anon
Saturday Night
Events: I
have coloured belts
and young ones at
that, too much for
them after an early
start.
ID Cards: GeExcellent
from the ring marshalls
perspective, easy!
General Feedback: Hard
to balance the needs
of all I say! We had
invited friends who (a)
wanted to see out kids
as coloured belts but
(b) would have been really
impressed and would have
enjoyed the black belt
day! Thanks to the organisers,
generally a thankless
type of job as we are
ever evolving towards
the best scenario. Most
excellent were the runners,
they were helpful, enthusiastic
and tireless in their
efforts to help!
Kay Kendall
Saturday Night
Events: Fantastic
idea. Music and lights
would be good for
next time. Might
have to think about
putting finals night
on another day if
you want the best
performances - not
as easy for competitors
after a full day
of competition.
General Feedback: I
thought the tournament
was very efficient compared
to some previous years.
Marshalling was well
done. Great use of space
in the stadium. Overall,
the quality of the tournament
seems to be improving
every year. Nice work.
Anon
General Feedback: Hi
Team! This was the
first ITFNZ event of
this scale that we
have attended and the
first ever that we
have sponsored. I have
to say that we were
absolutely blown away
by the whole weekend!
In over 20 years of
martial arts training
I have seen and been
a part of a lot of
different organisations
and I can honestly
say that the enthusiasm,
atmosphere, attitude,
and positive energy
of everyone involved
this weekend was phenomenal
and unlike anything
I had seen before in
NZ! ITFNZ has created
something quite unique
and we were very proud
to have been a part
of the event.
To provide feedback from a sponsorship
perspective, purely on a “Value for
money” basis, I felt that it was
very good and I am happy with the result.
The brand exposure was good, the email
database that we are being provided is
excellent, and our treatment throughout
the weekend was great (VIP area, host ((Michelle
was great)) and recognition). It was all
done professionally and very obviously
with a genuine appreciation.
Carl Matthews and Mark Banicevich did
a fantastic job and were brilliant to deal
with. To sum it up…We will be continuing
to sponsor and support ITFNZ events into
the future. Overall, from a sponsors perspective,
a martial artists’ perspective and
an excited (and impressed) spectator’s
perspective, I thought the event was brilliant
and I am looking forward to 2008’s
Nationals! Thank you for the opportunity
to be involved. Keep up the great work.
Mr Phil Thompson
Protect
Saturday Night
Events: Not
really, was TKD'd
out by dinner and
wasn't really interested
Dinner at the
Venue: Wellington's
event night was more
of a "night out",
much more fun
General Feedback: Was
still a very good and
well run event
Anon
General Feedback: I
was disappointed with
the updates on the
web page waited all
day for some pics and
then no results till
the end of the second
day. it did say on
the site updated twice
a day. When pics were
available variety was
quite good for a change
Anon
Dinner at
the Venue: It
took ages to serve
dinner - my table
was dead last. tables
should have been
called up while the
events were on -
anyone who wanted
to watch that particular
event could have
just joined the dinner
line later. that
way people wouldn't
have had to wait
until quite as late
to eat
Anon
General Feedback: A
bit congested at times
around rings 4 and
5 Mr and Mrs Breen
you guys Rock!
Anon
Saturday Night
Events: I
don't think it really
worked - atmosphere
wise - all regions
were split up so
no cheering really
went on
Dinner at the
Venue:Would
have much preferred to
go somewhere a little
nicer - maybe with a
bar!
Anon
Saturday Night
Events: Really
liked the patterns
ID Cards: I
can hide the fact that
I forgot someone's name
much more easily. Can
we have them on officials
too next time?
General Feedback: Drove
back to Manawatu after
closing, so AWESOME to
see event run to time
so well.
Tony Bishop
Dinner at
the Venue: Maybe
have dinner at the
same time as the
finals. More buffets
to speed access to
Dinner.
General Feedback: Keep
improving! Wellington
was amazing.. Another
step in the right direction.
Keep raising the Bar!
MID sure have a task
ahead of them!
Anon
Saturday Night
Events: A
few too many bouts
Dinner at the
Venue: Great
food
ID Cards:
An essential step forward.
Next step photos on
the cards.
General Feedback: An
excellent event overall.
Continued to lift the
bar after the big lift
in Wellington. Some suggestions
for next event... Next
year we need to organise
a few more sponsor hosts,
and do so earlier, and
give them identifiable
staff shirts. We need
to do more to encourage
sponsors to come to the
event - those who came
know the benefits they
received far more clearly.
Finals night would have
been better if Mr Campbell
had MCed the bouts. He
was really good at increasing
atmosphere, and even
the cameramen noticed
that the atmosphere seemed
a bit flat at finals
night. Power and special
was on the wrong side
of the venue - sponsors
couldn't see these events.
It would be good to have
results scrolling through
the big screens. Sponsors
noticed that their eyes
were drawn to action,
and they missed bout
results. Would be nice
to have wine and beer
in the VIP / sponsor
room. (Master D mentioned
hiring a bar manager,
Michelle thinks.) Would
be good to dim the lights
for finals, but trade
off because we need good
light to film them...
There are probably even
more exciting events
we could show at finals
night. For example a
team sparring final,
a team pattern final,
and pre-arranged free
sparring. Athletes noticed
they were very tired
by the time finals night
arrived after a long
day and it was very stressful
- perhaps we should get
further feedback from
them.
Mr Mark Banicevich
Saturday Night
Events: yes
need more entertainment
so it didn't feel
it dragged on, finished
at an incredibly
earlier than expected.
Dinner at the
Venue: People
are more familiar, it
meant more work but with
practice we can fine
tune this minor hiccup.
ID Cards:Excellent
it gave the competitor
the recognition but a
disadvantage was those
that abused the system
to gain access to areas
that were off limits
at specific times ie
watching the mates at
ring side.
General Feedback: To
all those that contributed
in this years Nationals
(big or small) my personal
appreciation and thanks
for your input, competitors
and families/ friends,
officials, organisers,
sponsors, behind the
scene people and my 'doodle
bugs' that no matter
how big or small the
task gave 110% without
hesitation and always
with a smile, you all
displayed the 5 tenets
during the weekend and
if you are the future
of ITFNZ and ITF then
our organisation will
go far I am soooo proud
of you all THANK YOU
ALL SO VERY MUCH, ps...
see you at the Oceanics
2008 my little darlings
you are too much.
Mrs Natasha Iotua
Saturday Night
Events: Bad
idea, made the dinner
really long, atmosphere
was lacking, longer
day for competitors.
For this idea to
work you need lights,
music, really make
something out of
it, and a professional
announcer wouldn't
go amis(sorry Mark)
Dinner at the
Venue: No bar
facilities, notice everyone
each year always gets
up and leaves as soon
as the awards are over,
but this year they left
twice as fast.
ID Cards:
Absolutely a great idea,
however it seemed the officials
and competitors didn't
know exactly how this system
was supposed to work. But
i am sure that will get
better
General Feedback: I
also didn't like separating
the colours and BB's, only
half the competitors and
spectators present each
day. I felt that this was
really noticeable in spectator
participation. Also, how
many BB's came back on
the Sunday? And yes there
were more officials available
on Sunday, which did work.
I did speak to several
competitors, and the BB's
liked the split as it gave
them more time to focus
on themselves and not worry
about students they might
have and having to compete
in between seconding them,
so good from that point
of view. But the coloureds
didn't like it, as they
felt a little left out
on the first day as not
all BB's supported the
event on Sunday. Overall,
a great tournament, not
many injuries, and lots
of fun.
Mr Gwyn Brown
On
behalf of the Auckland
North Region I would
like to thank all
you and your region
for a great 2007
ITFNZ National tournament.
Great venue set-up
and very well organized.
Well done again for
your region in winning
this years tournament
and please pass onto
Mr Pellow and Mr
Harrison for there
great efforts with
the team as well.
Also pass on our
appreciation to Mr
and Mrs Iotua.
Also to Mr Neil Breen
for his never ending
work with the organising,
putting place and
then the gathering
of divisional sheets
crunching the numbers
and coming up with
the right answer
at the end of it.
Once again an absolutely
well run fantastic
tournament.
Regards George
Konia.
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