Clubs

Here you can find details of our current clubs.

Cardiff

Instructor: Master Porl Stone 5th Degree
Classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 18:30 to 20:30

Canton Community Centre, Leckwith Road, Canton, Cardiff CF11 8AZ (behind Tesco)
Click here for directions

The Cardiff Club based within Canton Community Centre was started on October 15th 1989 by Master Porl Stone. Over the years the club has developed into a lively and healthy WTF Taekwondo School, producing many Welsh, British and Junior Olympic Champions, it has also become the central hub of what is now know as Taekwondo Cymru as well as becoming the main focus and meeting point for many of Wales’ different association instructors and black belts.

Classes range from total beginners to elite players and is taught in a hard, but friendly and fun atmosphere, with the main aim being Kyrougi – Olympic Sport sparring.

Pontypool

Instructor: Master Porl Stone 5th Degree
Classes run on Fridays from 18:00 to 20:00

Trosnant House, Trosnant Street, Pontypool, Torfaen (opposite Trosnant Surgery) Telephone: 01495 763901
Click here for directions

Trosnant house is a newly completed warehouse renovation project, situated in the heart of Pontypool centre (100 yards just up the hill from the Pontypool Leisure Centre), and it has become the home for the Welsh National Elite squad weekend training camps. As one would expect, the hall comes with all the mod-cons of today’s up to date Taekwondo gyms, a hall that’s fully matted with the latest sport interlocked training surface, water kick bags and more paddles than a rowing club.

Whilst the squad is not using the house, it becomes home to two clubs the “Little Dragon” run by Ms Jo Draper and the Pontypool Taekwondo club run by Master Porl Stone. The Pontypool club is small, consisting of promising juniors ranging from 8 – 14 year olds who wish to add a to their sport training with the more physically demanding, challenging, yet fun class.

Chungdokwan

Profile of Simon Lee Griffiths
3rd Dan black belt
simon@smithsmechanical.co.uk

At the age of 10 I was encouraged by my parents to take up a martial art which was being taught by a family friend, Master Brian Jones. At the time he was teaching in Cowbridge leisure centre.

I enjoyed all aspects of this martial art but quickly found my calling was with the fighting or sport side of it. Over the following years I went through all my grades and finally achieved my black belt in 1997. I was encouraged to compete in National competitions and was successful enough to come home to Wales with a wonderful selection of medals/trophies and many unforgettable memories.

In order to continue and expand my competitive experiences I moved my training to a larger club and the guidance of Master Porl Stone in Cardiff. Master Stone recognised the potential which I was showing and began training me with his stable of players. We travelled to many countries throughout Europe adding to my trophy list and gaining even more experience within the sport side of taekwondo.

I have many fantastic memories within taekwondo but my three most memorable are fighting in the televised sky sport special 6 nations championships held on the Isle of Man.

I actually went on this journey as a supporter but the Welsh National Team heavy weight pulled out with an injury leaving the team without a heavy weight fighter, I was at the time a junior feather weight. Master Stone asked me if I was up for it and I agreed. I stepped onto the mat only to face the British heavy weight champion in the final. After a well fought match I was unfortunately beaten but by only 2 points, my performance did result in the Welsh team getting overall 2nd place.

My second fond memory is fighting in Stuggart Germany the Masters cup, my category was the biggest I had ever faced and I beat the Italian champion in the semi-finals taking me into the finals against the German champion. By now I had broken my foot and could hardly stand but with a good coach and great tactics I came home with the gold.

Last but not least of my experiences so far was when I was selected to fight for Wales in the AAU 2000 Junior Olympic Games in Florida. The whole experience was fantastic with me coming home triumphant and am the proud owner of a Junior Olympic silver medal.

In 2001 I achieved my 2nd Dan and in 2009 I gained my 3rd Dan. I now run a successful club within Taekwondo Cymru in Ystradowen Village hall, Cowbridge and I train students of all ages who share my passion for this Olympic sport.