The fifth degree black belt who started the Mountainview Taekwondo Club in Sundre can barely believe 25 years have already gone by.
“I can’t believe it’s been that long,” said Master Terri Miller last week.
The club’s membership, which includes students ages five and up, is at about 50, and the instructor extended an invitation to join to anyone who might be interested in developing new abilities while improving their fitness, regardless of existing skill level or physical conditioning.
“We need some more new members,” she said.
A person does not have to be in peak physical shape to give martial arts a shot, she said.
“You don’t have to be in good shape — come to get in good shape. Work at your pace.”
The club gets together for practices twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays at the Sundre Community Centre from 6 to 8:30 p.m. A complimentary class is offered for those who might be interested in dropping by to try out the sport and see whether Taekwondo might appeal to them, she said.
“It’s a great stress reliever,” she said.
People are welcome to attend individually or as a family. Over the years, Miller said she has instructed students who started young and went on to become parents whose children in turn took up the sport.
“It’s very family oriented; we’ve got many families in the club.”
The 56-year-old started her first club in Provost, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year courtesy of one of the members who committed to keeping that group going after she relocated to Sundre in 1993-94. Miller knew she wanted to remain involved in training as well as instructing martial arts, and before long decided to launch the local club.
“It becomes a way of life,” she said, when asked what has kept her passionate about continuing to offer the program for the community.
The group started its milestone 25th season early in September and lessons continue until December before breaking for the holidays, with classes resuming in January up until March, although there is a possibility of extending lessons into the spring, she said.
The club will be hosting an all-day tournament on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Sundre High School, where a group from a Red Deer-based organization will be doing some demonstrations starting at about noon, she said.
And although details have not yet been determined, Miller said she also would like to host a sort of reunion event inviting past students to return to celebrate the club’s anniversary.
Anyone who might be interested in contacting Miller to learn more about the club is encouraged to contact her by email at [email protected]. Alternatively, visit the group’s social media page by doing a search for Mountainview Taekwondo Club.
