Our school opened in 2001 and since then, we've grown tremendously! We've become a school of more than 300 students!
WE ARE THE LARGEST SCHOOL IN UNION!
Although TaeKwonDo is the basis of our art, we are not restriced to just this. our program is also
largely involved with Kickboxing, Ninjitsu, Aikido, Judo and Jujitsu. We find our students to be much
more well rounded than in traditional martial ats schools where the involvment of multiple arts is often
discouraged.
Our organization does not only benefits the students in our classes. It also spends
time giving back. For instance, the organization succeeded in raising over
$50,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In the past 5 years we have raised over $450,000 for children's
charities. Other charities we have sponsored include March of Dimes, COSAC, and various children's
cancer organizations.
Union's UTA also annually hosts a number of other events such as, tournaments, demos,
parties, and testings.
Since founding the school almost 10 years ago we have helped children and adults reach
their true potential in all areas of their lives.
Our Staff
- Over 50 junior instructors
- 7 certified instructors
- Master Instructor Robert Nichols
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Instructors & Classes
We have a full staff of instructors at our academy that teach and assist classes.
Each instructor is a certified TaekwonDo instructor and trained personally by Mr. Nichols to teach our curriculum.
Instructors range in age; though some may seem young, they have all passed a written, verbal and practical evaluation.
Instructors can be recongnized by the "collars" they have attached to the edge of their uniforms. Different color collars
denote the different certifications that instructors hold. Instructors should be able to answer many questions about
curriculum, events and much more and can be a very helpful resource to parents. In addition to our junior instructors, we also
have office personnel who are available to answer questions and assist parents. Please feel free to speak to them about anything.
We are lucky to have so many instructors; it allows us to give each student
personal attention even in a large class. This allows students to get the benefit of private lessons without the added
cost! In addition to our regularly scheduled classes we have a variety of martial arts activities
that ensure students stay active and interested in their training. Our students range in age from 3 years old to
over 60 years old!
Our Chief Instructor
Robert Nichols has been studying martial arts for 18 years. He is a third-degree black belt in TaeKwonDo as well as a 5th
degree Shidoshi belt in Ninjitsu. In addition to TaeKwonDo and Ninjitsu, Mr. Nichols is well versed in Japanese sword, Non-deadly
Force, Last Resort Tactics, Mixed Martial Arts and other various martial arts. He has studied Jujitsu, Muy Thai and Yoga. Mr. Nichols
has run Union's UTA for 10 years. He is a four time New Jersey state Top Ten champion and has won three national competitions.
When not running the academy Mr. Nichols spends his days in the local elementary and secondary schools volunteering his time to teach the Bully Busters
Program as well as other non-violent conflict resolution skills. He has taught the Bully Busters Program to every grade in every school in the
Union Public School district as well as an after school program at Saint James Private School in Springfield. He also works with the D.A.R.E. program
affiliated with the public school system. Mr. Nichols has received numerous awards and accolades from many sources indcluding the Mayor of Union Township,
the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the March of Dimes Foundation, the NJ Center for Outreach and Services to the Autism Community (COSAC), the US Marshals and
the Union Board of Education
More About Taekwondo
TaeKwonDo is the most popular of the Korean martial arts and is the Korean national sport. It
is also one of the world's most commonly practiced martial arts. TaeKwonDo is a combination
of combat technique, self-defense, sport, exercise, and philosophy. Physically, TaeKwonDo
develops strength, speed, balance, flexibility, and stamina. However TaeKwonDo also requires
the mental discipline of its students while doing physical tasks. An example of the union of
mental and physical discipline is the breaking of boards, which requires both physical mastery
of the technique and the concentration to focus one's strength. The principles of Dokkodo (See Below)
reflect that TaeKwonDo at UTA is a mental discipline as well as a physical one. TaeKwonDo helps students develop improved
awareness, confidence, focus, discipline, memory, and respect.
The Principles of Dokkodo
At the begining of every class we bow in and recite the principles of Dokkodo. These principles are a reminder of how we hope to conduct ourselves and make Taekwondo a part of our daily lives.
Instructor: I show honor to myself and others
Students: With Respect Sir/Ma'am
Instructor: I am honest and trustworthy
Students: With Integrity Sir/Ma'am
Instructor: I am committed and overcome challenges and obstacles
Students: With Perseverance and Determination Sir/Ma'am
Instructor: I choose my words and the right course of action
Students: With Self Control Sir/Ma'am
Instructor: I show others the type of person I am
Students: With Confidence and Character Sir/Ma'am
Instructor: TRAIN HARD.
Students: TRAIN FOR LIFE Sir/Ma'am!
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