About the Nevada Youth Olympic Taekwondo League
The League was created by the LAITF as a community service to serve you the Taekwondo athlete.
The League’s purposes are twofold;
First, to foster the athletic development of Nevada amateur youth Taekwondo athletes by providing every
athlete an affordable venue to test themselves on a regular basis in actual competition.
Second, to recognize and support Nevada amateur Taekwondo athletes who demonstrate the
desire and potential to represent our community in National and International competition.
How Does The League Work?
Competition is Olympic Sparring only.
The League plays six Tournaments over a season beginning in September and ending in May.
Athletes are assigned a Division based on Rank and Age. Brackets are assigned based on Rank and
Weight.
USAT Member Athletes earn points toward League standing at each Tournament, 500 points for
1st Place, 300 points for 2nd Place and 100 points for 3rd Place. In the event there are not sufficient
competitors in a particular Division, then Divisions are combined as necessary to insure that each Division
has at least two competitors. Athletes earn medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place at each League
Tournament. After each Tournament, results are published and League Standings are updated on the
League website.
At the end of the season the athlete with the most accumulated points is crowned Division Champion
and awarded
a plaque and/or trophy. Top ranked athletes are also eligible for Pre-Junior Olympic Elite Training
Camps or
Seminars, financial support and other benefits.
In 2006 $1,080.00 was paid to League athletes competing at the Junior Olympics.
How Do I Benefit As An Athlete?
Play For Fun.
The League provides an accessible and affordable competition venue serving the needs of those students
who play Taekwondo for fun and who aren’t necessarily interested in striving to become Nationally ranked
competitors. Medals, awards and accolades in the local press are sufficient reward for these athletes.
Athlete Development.
Dedicated amateur athletes gain the opportunity to regularly practice and test themselves in an actual
competitive
environment at an affordable cost. Because Athlete Development is a primary purpose of this
competition
venue, athletes using the League as a training tool might choose, with the approval of their instructor, to
increase the
difficulty of their training by “fighting up” to a higher Division. League approval after a conference with
League Officials is required for “advanced placement”.
Athlete Recognition.
League play provides a convenient venue for the identification and recognition of athletes exhibiting the
desire and
ability to successfully represent our community in national competition. The LAITF as well as potential
sponsors and
supporters use the League as a “scouting” tool for the identification and selection of promising local
amateur athletes
with the potential to represent our community on a national level.
Athlete Support.
The LAITF operates an Athlete Support Fund. The exclusive purpose of the Fund is to provide financial
support
for LAITF amateur athletes. The LAITF also actively solicits donors and sponsors for this purpose. Top
ranked
League athletes who qualify to compete at the USAT Junior Olympics are eligible to receive
financial support to cover competition related events such as travel, hospitality, entry fees, etc. for the
athlete and, as
funds are available, chaperones, coaches and support staff. In 2006 the Athlete Support Fund paid
out $1,080.00 to Nevada athletes competing at the Junior Olympic Taekwondo Championship in
Atlanta, Georgia.
Who Is Eligible?
League play is open to any Taekwondo student between the ages of 6 and 17, regardless of club
affiliation,
who has trained in Taekwondo and understands the rules of Olympic Taekwondo Sparring.Only USA
Taekwondo Member athletes may accumulate points for Athlete Support eligibility.
In 2006 -2007 the League is offering an Adult Division due to popular demand.
What Are The Rules?
Current USAT/WTF Olympic Sparring Competition Rules govern League play. All matches are Single
Elimination
and consist of two ninety second rounds with a 30 second rest period. Ties after regulation time will be
decided by
“Sudden Victory”, the first one point change of score.
How Much Does It Cost?
Each season the athlete pays a $10 Enrollment Fee at the time of enrollment.
At each Tournament the enrolled athlete pays a $25 Registration Fee.
A means-tested assistance program is available for economically challenged athletes who
qualify.
Spectators pay a $5 admission fee to each Tournament.
Where Does The Money Go?
The League is a fully volunteer operation. No remuneration of any kind is paid to any staff or official.
The Spectator Fees are collected by the venue operator and pay for League use of the Venue facility.
The first $5 of each League Registration Fee collected is earmarked for the Athlete Support
Fund and
specifically set aside for the support of League athletes.
An additional $5 of each League Registration Fee collected is earmarked for Athlete
Development and returns
to the participating Club in the form of contributions for the Club’s programs.
The remainder of the Enrollment Fees and Registration Fees collected pay for actual League operating
costs
(insurance, office supplies, medals, equipment, etc.). Any funds remaining after covering operating costs
are deposited in the Athlete Support Fund.
The League operates for the benefit of our athletes. No one makes any money from League
activities.
Who’s In Charge?
The League was created by the Latin-American International Taekwondo Federation Ltd., a non-
profit amateur sports organization based in Las Vegas, Nevada. LAITF is a federally recognized 501(c)(3)
public charity.
The League is operated by volunteer staff under the authority of LAITF President, Master George A.
Tapia in consultation with local leaders in the Taekwondo community and with the support of community
leaders having an interest in promoting the welfare of local youth through community sports programs. In
2005 - 2006 the League enjoyed the support of the eleven leading Taekwondo Clubs in Las
Vegas.
“ Athletes First! ” is a Core Value of the LAITF and a guiding principle of all LAITF activities including the
League. So, in a sense, YOU the athlete are in charge!
How Do I Sign Up?
Athletes (or their parents) complete and submit the Enrollment Agreement and pay the appropriate
Enrollment Fee.
Referees, Judges and other volunteer Support Staff complete and submit the League Volunteer
Application.