Winter Storm policy: When the weather conditions are poor and you are wondering if classes are going ahead please call 753-4248 one hour before class starts and we will have a recording stating whether or not classes are going ahead as scheduled or cancelled. We will also place a notice on Facebook, and  "home page" of our web site one hour before class starts. 

NOTE: for updated news please visit our Facebook page at   www.Facebook.com/kick.nf.net

Congratulations to Master Cathy Downey on her recent promotion to 7th Degree Black Belt (Master level) by the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), on October 10th 2017. This gives Master Cathy Downey the distinction of becoming the first “female” Master from Newfoundland and Labrador and one of only three female Masters in Canada. She successfully passed her 7th Dan test during the World Championship in Dublin, Ireland. The testing panel consisted of Grandmaster Marano (Argentina) and Grandmaster Lan (Germany), both 9th Degree Black Belts and members of the ITF Taekwon-Do technical committee. The test included patterns, sparring, step-sparring, self-defense, breaking, and theory. She also had to submit a thesis for her 7th Dan, which is entitled, “Women in Taekwon-Do”. Master Cathy Downey is the wife of Master Scott Downey (8th Degree Black Belt). Both are owners of Downey’s Taekwon-Do and have been teaching Taekwon-Do in St. John’s and Mt. Pearl for over 25 years. Together they have taught over 2,000 students and have promoted over 300 students to Black Belt. Their most famous program is the Little Dragons program for children age 4-7 which teaches students about the importance of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. Both Master Cathy Downey and her husband are retired from competition but they are heavily involved in World Championship and World Cup events as Umpires (officials). They recently officiated at the World Championship in Dublin, Ireland and are looking forward to officiating at the World Cup in 2018 in Sydney, Australia. As a result of Master Cathy Downey’s achievement her and her husband, Master Scott Downey, have the distinction of becoming the first “husband and wife” ITF Taekwon-Do Masters in Canada. They personify the saying, “A couple that kicks together sticks together”. Congratulations from your family, friends and Taekwon-Do students and assistant instructors.

Updated February 11 2015

We are excited to inform our students that Master Pierre Laquerre, 8th Degree Black Belt from Quebec will be coming to St. John's to conduct a Sparring Seminar on Saturday, May 2nd 2015. Master Laquerre is a member of the ITF Technical Committee and has trained many World Champions. The seminar will be for yellow belts and above and will cover attacking techniques, counter-attack techniques, sparring/ring strategy, and adapting to your opponent. There will be a 3 hour course in the AM (9-12noon), Lunch from 12-1:30, and then another 3 hours from 1:30-4:30. This will be an exciting and fun filled event. Students will learn how to improve their sparring from one of the best ITF Taekwon-Do instructors in the world. Master Laquerre will also be presenting participants with a handout of the material covered in the course so that they can reference it as needed. Further information regarding registration and cost coming soon. This is an event not to be missed. 

Last Little Dragons Class for 2014 and a special visitor. We will be accepting new students in our Little Dragons program (age 4-7) in January. E-mail Master Downey for further information. scott.downey@nl.rogers.com or call 753-4248 

Older News

Master Downey's first black Belt test as an 8th Degree Black Belt. July 2nd 2014:Promoted to V Dan: Paul Snow; Promoted to III Dan, Miranda Berge; Promoted to II Dan, Michelle Rice, Brandon
Lilly, Liam Dyer, Patrick Rice, Jordan Goodwin, Calvin Butt, Michael Butt, Robert Reid, Emma Reid, Bjorne Berge. Promoted to I Dan, Todd Chard, Jessica Chard, and Ben Banser. Congratulations on your promotion, you have made your instructor very proud.

94th International Instructors Course (IIC) organized by Master Scott Downey of Downey's Taekwon-Do, June 27-29 2014, St. John's, NL, CANADA

A special thank you to Sharon Vere-Holloway, Joanne Collins, Ted Williams, Michelle Rice, Paul Burke, Kevin James, and Steve Drodge (Fast Signs) for all their help and support with this amazing event. We could not have done it without you. Thank you to all Downey's Taekwon-Do Red and black belts, and participants from across Canada, USA and Jamaica. 

Master Downey promoted to 8th Dan (Senior Master) by the IIC Technical Committee (Grandmaster Marano, Grandmaster Bos, and Grandmaster Lan) on June 29 2014. 

Interesting piece of Trivia: Allan Hawco, the producer, writer and star of the CBC drama "Republic of Doyle" was a Red Belt in Downey's Taekwon-Do. He had practiced Taekwon-Do for approximately 3 years before he began to focus on acting. Master Downey remembers him as a very athletic, talented, and competitive student. Congratulations to Mr. Hawco on his achievements in acting and directing. Maybe one of the future episodes could focus on Mr. Hawco, a private detective, returning to his Master for guidance and advice on how to improve his self-defense skills, obtain his Black Belt and gain a greater sense of self-control (LOL).  Now that would be an interesting episode for Martial Art enthusiasts.

News: Last Updated: April 8 2014

Easter Bake Sale: Sunday, April 13th from 2:00 - 5:00pm at St. James United Church. Mrs. Downey will be making more or her now famous and delicious cakes and cup cakes. They will go fast!!! We will also have coffee, tea and hot chocolate for sale. All proceeds in support of Downey's Taekwon-Do competition team. 

Class Changes: St. James United Church April and May: 

(1) The 3rd Wednesday of the month classes April 16th, will  instead be held on Tuesday, April 15th (Green to Red belts 6:30-7:30; Black Belts 7:30-8:30).  

(2) The Saturday, April 12th classes will instead be held on Sunday, April 13th: Little Dragons (2-3pm), Red and black belts (3-4pm), and Yellow, Green and blue (4-5pm)

(3) The Saturday, April 19th classes will be as follows: Little Dragons Combined class (12:30-1:30), Red and black Belts (1:30-2:30), and Yellow, Green and Blue (2:30-3:30)

(4) The Saturday May 10th classes (for little dragons) will instead be held at College of the North Atlantic Gym on Prince Philip Drive 12:00-1:00pm. This is the same day that students in our regular program will be participating in our annual seminar. A group photo of all our students will be taken at 11:50am so all little dragons should be at CONA by 11:45am.  

(5) There will be no classes at St. James United Church on Saturday, May 17th due to the Victoria Day Holiday. 

International Instructors Course (IIC): June 27, 28, and 29 2014. Application forms and payment must be handed in by the end of May. See our home page for further information. 

Older News

Master Downey and Mrs. Downey recently conducted a Self-Defense Seminar for staff at "Supportive Employment of Newfoundland and Labrador" (SENL) with participants from eastern, central and western Newfoundland. All participants enjoyed the practical and realistic self-defense techniques and they also learned about the importance of avoidance and de-escalation. 

IIC June 27,28,29, 2014 Information Package

Older News

Santa visits the "Little Dragons" class 

 A message from the mother of one of the children (Chloe North) in our Little Dragon's Program: "Master and Mrs. Downey, I want to say thank you for all that you have taught Chloe. She has learned lessons far more valuable than physical moves. You both have a fantastic way with children, especially the shy ones. They bloom right in front of our eyes. Thank you.