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Michelle's achievements and qualifications are as follows:

Personal Martial Arts Awards, achievements and qualifications

Competitive awards

  • Sparring, Patterns and Board breaking Irish National Champion consecutively multiple times

  • 5 Time World Champion, Korean Forms, Sparring and Board Breaking Champion. (World Organisation of Martial Arts Athletes)

  • East Coast Champion (Ireland)

  • Best of the Best Champion (Ireland)

  • Instructor Awards

  • International Taekwondo Instructor of the Year (World Organisation of Martial Arts Athletes)

  • Inducted into World Organisation of Martial Arts Athletes Hall of fame

  • 5th Dan Masters level Black Belt Taekwondo World Song Moo Kwan

  • 5th Degree Black Belt Kickboxing World Kickboxing Council

    Michelle’s relevant education and upskilling

  • Safeguarding 1: Child Welfare and Protection

  • Safeguarding 2: Club Children's Officer

  • Safeguarding 3: Student Liaison Officer

  • Tulsa: Children First (https://www.tusla.ie/)

  • Active Leadership Award by Sports Partnership

  • Youth Athlete Development course by Sport Ireland

  • Diploma in Fitness: Fitness Consultant (ioath.com)

  • Diploma: Autism Awareness

  • Diploma: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Fully Accredited Child Psychology Diploma

  • Mindfulness Practitioner Course (Level 1,2,3 & Master)

  • Covid Safe Martial Arts Instructor Certification

  • Fetac Level 5 First Responder (Distinction)

  • Song Moo Kwan Masters Level Instructors qualification

  • Song Moo Kwan National Poomsae and Kyorugi Referee

  • Master Michelle is currently studying Irish Sign Language

  • Irish Taekwondo Tigers is GDPR Compliant

  • Garda Vetted

  • Affiliate members of World/Irish Taekwondo Songmookwan and International/Irish Kickboxing Federation

Copies of the legally required relevant certificates can be emailed upon request.

I started taekwondo at the age of 6 years old at my local club. From the second I started, I knew I would never give it up. It has been a lifelong passion of mine. I strongly believe that starting so young gave me a great advantage as an instructor and coach because I understand how children feel when they are training, competing and grading for the next belt, as well as the excitement of putting on their taekwondo uniform for the very first time.

Martial Art classes promote respect, discipline, compassion and empathy for others. At the Irish Taekwondo Tigers this is taught through creative ways and not in an “army sergeant” fashion. We understand that each child is different, and that one size does not fit all. We have a wide range of capabilities from students who have won world championships to students who just train for fun. We believe Taekwondo is for absolutely everyone and that that has helped each student reach their own personal goals. When a child starts in the club, I spend time to get to know their personality and I like the parents to talk me through what their child is like, how things are going with them and what they hope to achieve by being part of our club. That can range from fun to confidence to world championships. This is something that is extremely important in our club. I know many kids may have unique attributes and personalities which prompted me to get accredited in Child Psychology, Autism and ADHD awareness. I am currently studying Irish Sign Language in an effort to continue making our club inclusive.

When many children start, parents are worried about them being too shy and nervous. After a month of classes they have found their feet and made new friends. It is a great thing to see a club in a sport that doesn’t compete as a team embody everything a true team has. We also have the opposite concerns from parents who worry that their child will be too hyperactive or disruptive. In just a few weeks they are noticeably calmer and fit right in.

I have been asked many times what my proudest moments are in taekwondo. Over the years I have reached my own personal goals involving national and international titles and black belt Dan grades. My students have followed in my footsteps and will go further than I could ever have dreamed of. But all the trophies, medals and titles are nothing compared to the integrity and respect our club has inside its training halls. We have fun here and each student plays an integral role in the development of our club.

We welcome the opportunity to make your children part of our proud moments of the future.

Master Michelle Hogan