Having done Taekwondo for around 14 years Jamie Carpenter, 24, knows a thing or two about the sport. So much so that she has been elected as a member of the World Taekwondo (WT) Council in the recent World Taekwondo elections.
WT Council’s main mission is to “develop and grow Taekwondo throughout the world, from a grassroots level all the way through to an elite level to provide all with the opportunity to play, watch, and enjoy the sport regardless of age, religion, ethnicity or ability.”
“Being elected onto the council means I will be representing World Taekwondo as a Council member and acting together as a body to make sure WT remains sound, to be a role model for others, and to improve our governance and develop the sport for the next Olympic cycle” says Jamie.
Jamie is now the youngest councilor by 15 years or more in the 17 member council governing the Olympic Sport of Taekwondo. She sees this as an amazing opportunity, especially as a young female in an industry dominated by males, and hopes to inspire other females as her mentors have inspired her through this role.
“I hope to bring a different perspective to the team, a youthful side of thinking. Hopefully look at holding events in a non-confrontational environment for females, one of my main aims is to get more females into the sport and into official roles.”
Not only will she be able to bring a youthful side of thinking to the Council but she will be able to work with and learn from people who have been doing the sport of Taekwondo longer than she has been alive.
Helping New Zealanders and the Oceania Region within the sport and developing the sport across the country through helping the athletes, coaches, instructors, and grassroots tournaments is something that Jamie is looking forward to in this new role.
People of all ages can be worried about starting a new sport and think it is too late for them to give it a go, but Jamie disagrees “it is never too late to start anything. I encourage anyone to just come along and give it ago! Taekwondo is a great martial art for all ages.”