Bai Rui ITF Taekwon-Do

On the 11th of April 1987, the Bai Rui school started with a dream.

The dream that there could be a school devoid of internal politics, bickering, and constant power shifts. It was a dream born from years of experience, where the fragility of human nature only served to taint the martial arts experience. A school where the true teachings of Taekwon-Do were properly practiced in Australia, could have been considered at one point to be an un-obtainable ideal, entertained only by the naive. However nothing could be further from the truth.

Many of us now actively participate in such an organisation. We are not only taught how, but why. We help those who are less fortunate, and grow from the richness of spirit it brings each and every one of us. We interact in a constructive and positive environment, where every member is a valued member, regardless of rank. However, one would ask ... "How did the Bai Rui school start ?".

It was a single class in the scout hall at Kalinga park with a training area that could house 8 students (provided you ignored the post in the centre). The first class was 5 strong with the senior student a blue belt. The line up consisted of Mrs Margaret Birch, Lance Birch, Grant Birch, Kim Birch, and Ms Jane Cluver - a green stripe from New Zealand. It was not long before this small class outgrew the scout hall, and a move was essential. North Star sports club in Zillmere, became the next location where the club operated for over 4 years. While in the North Star Sports club, the second Bai Rui school was founded in the Lawnton PCYC, and that club is there to this day. Bai Rui is particulary proud to have been one of the founding activities at this police club.

The move to the Northstar sports club was a bold one because it was surrounded by no less than 6 other organisations calling themselves "Taekwon-Do". After 18 months, only the Bai Rui school remained in the immediate Zillmere area. A short while later, a teacher from The Gap high school (formerly an ITF Instructor in Fiji), rang requesting support for a club that had been operating at The Gap for some years. Mr C. Birch (Founder of the Bai Rui school), took up the challenge and commenced teaching at The Gap, which he continued for over 3 years before entrusting the club to another Bai Rui instructor. That club also remains in place to this day, and has produced many fine black belts, some of whom have won international awards for excellence.

During 1990 to 1993 a number of black belt instructors joined the Bai Rui school. In most (but not all) cases, they had already left other independant organisations not connected with the ITF. The most common reasons for these good people leaving their former organisations were...

• Politics affecting their enjoyment,
• Financial exploitation affecting their welfare,
• and limited syllabus affecting their sense of achievement and fulfilment.

The Bai Rui school had by this time established it's reputation as a school with integrity, without politics, and with an atmosphere that was welcoming and supportive. By this time infrastructure was in place that prevented any form of negative insurgency. It was only in 1992-93 that Bai Rui became known widely enough to attract attention, and is so often the case, the school became the target of much political nonsence which was largely ignored. Membership grew rapidly around this time, and so did the number of clubs under the Bai Rui banner.

In 1993 old friendships were renewed when Bai Rui took a group across to Denver, Colorado, and attended a World Camp hosted by the United States Taekwon-Do Federation (USTF). One of the members of that group was a Japanese gentleman called Mr. Hajime Isomura who had established a club at the St. Lucia university on behalf of Bai Rui. He was a fundamental ingredient in Bai Rui's future success, as he provided a role model for the entire student base at that time. He provided us with an appreciation of what could be, both physically and mentally. He finally left and returned to Japan, however before leaving he donated a perpetual award to the school, which is entitled ... "The Hajime Isomura Award for Self Control". The award is presented yearly.

It was at this first world camp that the Bai Rui school had an opportunity to measure the level of technique in the school compared to international standards. The world camps in the United States always have representatives and practioners from around the world. As such these events are a showcase of world technique. Accordingly, the Bai Rui school was delighted when it was successful in achieving two high test score awards. This was particulary pleasing given the two recipients accurately represented the standards of Bai Rui majority.

Since these formative early years Bai Rui has grown to an organisation spanning three countries, and has attracted many significant ITF practioners. Bai Rui administers a network of over 70 branches. Bai Rui has been honoured with sister school status with the USTF. Bai Rui holds official ITF recognition plaque number 5051. Because of the style of administration adopted by the school (based on ethic and integrity), we have now attracted a wide ranging circle of Taekwon-Do friends in other ITF organisations. These encompass five other countries, and over a hundred other reciprocal branches.

The political history of Bai Rui has been chequered. Under it's founder, Mr Charles Birch, the school has never taken the comfortable or convienient middle ground in matters of ethic and integrity. The founder himself has been expelled more than once by former ITF seniors, primarily for being too outspoken. On each occasion time has more than justified the stances taken by the Bai Rui school which believes strongly in the concept ........

"For evil to succeed, honest men need only stand and do nothing".

The Bai Rui school and it's founder always have, and always will, fight for the true Taekwon-Do and it's father, General Choi. The Bai Rui school serves one master ..... Grand Master C. E. Sereff. In recent times we have been priveledged to meet with, and discuss ITF with general Choi's son, Master Jung Hwa Choi and believe his influence in the future will bring an exciting new era to the ITF world wide.

The founder has never waivered in his loyalty to the general or the ITF, and has never hesitated to challenge any force within his organisation that would seek to diminish the ITF, it's teachings, or it's standards of personal behaviour and ethic.

Bai Rui dares to do it right. Bai Rui dares to set standards. Bai Rui dares to reach out. It is for others to hear us.