Jon Niehuus – 4th Dan Black Belt
Jon has been involved in the sport of Taekwondo since 1994 at the age of 27. After the birth of his second daughter, he had a couple of years off, returning to full-time training in early 2002 with both daughters in tow.
Jon competed, and medaled, at National, State and Club level over several years in competition and in July 2005 he achieved his National Coaching Accreditation level 1, which was an essential qualification under Taekwondo Australia regulations to be an Instructor, and has also enabled him to coach players at Club, State and National competitions.
He has coached for the SA State Taekwondo team and is a fully qualified National Referee and Poomsae Judge, and has officiated in this capacity at National and State competitions for the last 6 years.
Olivia Niehuus – 3rd Dan Black Belt
Olivia has been involved in the sport of Taekwondo since early 2002 at the age of 10 and displayed an instant love for the sport.
Olivia participated in her first State Competition in August 2003 at the age of 11, as well as the National Competition, held in October 2003 in Queensland.
Olivia continued to compete at both State and National levels and has achieved both her C class Referee’s Qualification and National Coaching Accreditation level 1. These qualifications provide her with valuable skills when working with students of all ages and levels.
Olivia held the State Championship title, in her age Division, for 4 years (2007 – 2010) and has been part of the Australian International Taekwondo Team on two occasions, winning medals in Poomsae, in Korea in 2008, and Las Vegas in 2009.
Olivia retired from full-time competition at the end of 2010, and now concentrates on her coaching and mentoring of the competitors in the club in both Poomsae and Sparing.
Meghen Niehuus – 2nd Dan Black Belt
Meghen has been involved in the sport of Taekwondo since early 2002 at the age of 5.
Meghen competed in Club, State and National competitions, in both Sparing and Poomsae, for several years and she was State Champion, in her age Division, for 3 years from 2008 – 2010.
Meghen has developed numerous skills in the teaching and competitive sides of Taekwondo, and has her Coaching and Referee qualifications.
Through her experience, and added skills and knowledge gained from these qualifications, Meghen has been able to work effectively with our competitors to get them ready to compete (and medal) at both State and National competitions.
Mell Thomas – 1st Dan Black Belt
Mell started taekwondo in early 2000 at the age of 7. Mell started taekwondo to combat her balance issues and developed a strong love for the sport.
Mell started competing at state and national level in 2005 at the age of 11, winning a silver medal at the State Qualifying Competition and a bronze medal at National Competition which was held in Tasmania that year. Mell continued to compete until 2009 at the age of 16, her last Competition was Tans Open in Queensland in 2009 achieving a medal.
Mell gained her C Class Referee’s Qualification, this qualification provides Mell with skills to help students looking to compete in sparring.
Mell retired from full time Competition in 2009 and stopped taekwondo in early 2011, due to work and study. Mell returned to taekwondo in 2015 after the birth of her daughter and now focuses on teaching and mentoring of the students of the club.