Echo Leading Lights Sports Awards 2020: Robert Taaffe, Coach of the Year
By Stephen Leonard
DESPITE the colossal challenges faced throughout 2020 as a result of the Covid outbreak in Ireland back at the close of February, South Dublin Taekwondo, thanks in no small measure to the efforts of Head Coach Robert Taaffe, still managed to keep all their members active and on track to fulfil their individual goals.
Declared The Echo 2020 Coach of the Year, Taaffe saw his club on course for another massively productive year on the international front before the Covid crises struck.
The Echo 2020 Coach of the Year, Robert Taaffe congratulates his South Dublin Taekwondo student David Phelan on another fine performance while
Olympic qualifier, Jack Woolley had won gold in the US and Sofia Opens, David Phelan had picked up bronze Stateside and Emma Cahill had won the Generation 24 event in Germany, finished runner-up in the Swedish Open and carded bronze medals at the Presidents Cup and Sofia Open.
Yet, while the medal haul came to a dramatic stop two months into the year, Taaffe was quick to respond to the test.
“We diversified early, we went online as fast as possible and our attendance improved, which was unbelievable” he recalled.
“We came up with events online, challenges online, we purchased a load of new equipment to combat Covid, and we were lucky to be able to invest some grants we had still to draw down in equipment that people could use socially distant, non contact, and even take home with a ‘click & collect service’ we put on.
Taaffe imparts advice to the club’s Olympic qualifier Jack Woolley
“Immediately when lockdown came, we announced a club grading. We gave members tasks and tangible challenges to show them they could achieve things, even in a time of adversity.
“We now have had two gradings when a lot of other clubs have unfortunately not been able. We were lucky, we had our own place, and we could adapt and be resilient.
“We ran an online tournament, the first of its kind in the world, where fighters from all over the world joined us online, live from their clubs or homes.
“We have just provisionally graded 13 new black belts this year and SDTKD were recently placed second in a European-wide tournament where clubs entered poomsae [patterns] videos.”
It has been a remarkable feat by Taaffe, in light of the fact that he still has to work five days a week, prepare his protégé Woolley for the Tokyo Olympic Games and carry out his role as Performance Director of Taekwondo Ireland.
“I must also say that while I’m off doing all of this, I am supported, most notably, by my better half Niamh who is always covering for me or picking up slack when I’m otherwise engaged” stressed Taaffe.
“And we do have a superb gang of black belts in the club who have given us their best efforts this year” he added.
At the time of last week’s announcement that he had been declared The Echo 2020 Coach of the Year, Robert was in Bosnia & Herzegovina overseeing Woolley’s march to a bronze medal at the European Championships Olympic Weight Categories.
Delighted at picking up the accolade, Taaffe said “I’m surprised and honoured to receive this award, and I accept it on behalf of all the members, parents and supporters of our club that make the coaches role enjoyable and worthwhile.
“It has been a different and challenging year and the role of the coach has had to diversify in many ways.
“I’m lucky enough to have a very supportive and understanding employer who gives me the flexibility with my taekwondo coaching, and my family are massive foundations to what I do.
“2020 has not always been kind to coaches who have been trying to keep their clubs or their respective athletes active.
“I’d like to appeal to all to not forget your local sports clubs at this time. Support local clubs, support local coaches. They have been and will be there to support you.
“Thanks to all my athletes at South Dublin Taekwondo Club for their efforts this year and to those who I have coached at National Team level for your commitment.”
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