Junee TaeKwonDo - SEAT wins Community Club Award

“We can’t believe our little martial arts club has won such an award. To be nationally recognised is overwhelming. Our club continues to grow and evolve after joining the Good Sports community. We hope our win will inspire other clubs to join and see their clubs grow and evolve as our has,” said the club’s founder and head instructor, John Leak.

Hosted by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation at Parliament House, Canberra in February 2023, the Awards ceremony recognised Good Sports clubs and their dedicated volunteers from across the country who are passionate about community, their members and making their club the very best it can be.

Empowering local students

Junee TaeKwonDo - SEAT is a Gold Medal accredited Good Sports club, which means it has reached the highest level of the Good Sports program and has policies that cover alcohol and tobacco management, illegal drugs, mental health and safe transport.

“Before we joined Good Sports, our club just taught martial arts and self-defence. Now we continue to evolve, and be more community minded, and more aware of our student’s wellbeing and mental health needs. We constantly talk about peer support, community and family support,” John said.

The club is proud of running workshops at the local high school, and with local Scouts and women’s groups. It offers members low-cost training sessions, to help reduce financial burdens on local families.

Supportive environment at Junee TaeKwonDo

Junee also prides itself on a supportive culture at the club.

“Our philosophy has been developed by the Pink Belt Project and Good Sport principles. It has extended our knowledge of safe training practices that reduce triggers associated with trauma. It helps empower every student to be the best they can be and to support anyone who might be struggling in class and across our Junee community,” John explained.

“Part of our leadership team is our Pink Belt mentor, who aims to empower female students through martial arts, as well as help them develop friendship links within the club and the community.”

“We can teach martial arts and self-defence, but if we can build strong foundations within our students, with resilience and self-belief, then those students will become incredible adults.”