Meet Our Instructors
At SUTC we strive to provide our members with the best taekwondo experience possible. This is why we seek the most qualified instructors possible. Take some time to get to know them below.
Alex Sootho - Sparring Specialist
Alex is a new addition to the Sydney University Taekwondo Club from last year, with 12 years of coaching experience.
As a 5th Dan Black Belt (Kukkiwon), he has established an accomplished set of achievements throughout his 30 years of Taekwondo experience. These include being an OTU International Level Coach (Olympic Sparring), OTU Qualified Level 4 Poomsae Judge, AUS Coach for the 6th Commonwealth Championships in Edinburgh (Scotland, 2014), AUS Head Coach for the World University Championships in Hohhot (China, 2014), and the AUS Coach for the Oceania Championships in the Gold Coast (2012). Additionally, Alex has experience in ex-military and combat Taekwondo.
Alex will be teaching at the Sydney University Taekwondo Club on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3.00-5.30PM. Alex will mainly be focusing on the principles of sparring, so join us for a high intensity cardio session!
Andy Pham - Poomsae Specialist
Andy is a new addition to the Sydney University Taekwondo Club this year. Despite having a short competitive career in taekwondo, Andy has continuously racked up achievements at various competitions both within the university and opens divisions. Consistently ranking in the top 3 for traditional poomsae and regularly defending his top spot in individual freestyle poomsae, Andy has been seen regularly invited to many intercollegiates and invitationals including:
- Taiwan Intercollegiate Invitationals (2017)
- Vietnam 3 Cities Championships (2017)
- Chungdokwan Invitationals (2016)
Andy's knowledge in poomsae is further reinforced with his regular overseas and top level experiences, training with various prestigious teams such as The Korea National Sports University Taekwondo team, Vietnam National Poomsae Team and with our very own Australia National Poomsae Team coach Master Yang Il Joong.
As a 2nd Dan Black Belt, he will be teaching on Fridays from 3.00-5.30PM, mainly focusing on the technical aspects of poomsae.
Amy Newland - Student Coach
Amy is a 2nd year student at Sydney University, currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, but despite her youth she is experienced. Having started taekwondo from a very young age, Amy is a 3rd Dan Black Belt (Kukkiwon) and a 2nd Dan in Haidong Gumdo (World Haidong Gumdo Federation certified) and has since earned many achievements in the sport of Taekwondo.
As a student, she will be happy to train you in the skills of Taekwondo in a friendly, yet still professional manner - so there is no need to feel intimidated by her! Amy teaches at the Sydney University Taekwondo Club on Thursday nights from 7.30-9.30PM.