Stawell taekwondo instructor keen to mentor youth
Bendigo-born sixth-dan black-belt taekwondo instructor Dale Exon started taekwondo when he was about eight.
Mr Exon, 42, said his parents encouraged him to learn martial arts to build up fitness and self-defence.
“I was picked on at school, the practice built up my confidence, which was lacking,” Mr Exon said.
Since then, he has travelled throughout Australia and to Korea practicing taekwondo and is running classes at Stawell Senior Citizens Hall starting this month.
Mr Exon has coached for more than 14 years and competed in more than 10 state and national tournaments.
He now runs DD Taekwondo and Hapkido – Stawell.
He said teaching and being a mentor gave him a sense of fulfillment.
“Everyone needs a clear direction in life, especially kids,” he said.
“When kids see a black belt, you become a mentor because you are always guiding them.
“We try to create a family environment within the club. We’ve had families compete and train together. They have become fitter and more confident.”
Mr Exon said about 70 percent of his young students who participated, did so because their parents were looking for ways for them to learn discipline.
“I have had students who say it has helped with their schoolwork and concentration levels,” he said.
Mr Exon said he had seen development in how his students presented themselves in the community.
“I had two students, two boys, and when they first started they wouldn’t look at me or say a word. Progressively, they came out of their shells,” he said.
For more information on classes, people can visit www.facebook. com/stawelltkd.