My journey at Factor10 Martial Arts began in 2002 when at 6 years old I attended at class with my neighbours at the local Taekwondo club run by Master Damien O’Flaherty. Instantly I was hooked, and 21 years later I’m now the Head Instructor of the local club I attended my first class at. 

I achieved my 1st Dan Black Belt in 2005 and am currently a 5th Dan Bo, with the goal of achieving my 5th Dan at the end of 2023.  I began competing in competition poomsae in 2005, winning my first Nations Championships that year. I was selected for my first Australian Team in 2014, competing at the Taekwondo Universaide, in China, and was selected again later in the year to compete at the Taekwondo Commonwealth Championships in Scotland, where I achieved a Bronze medal. In 2016 I achieved my biggest goal as an athlete, I was selected to represent Australia at the Poomsae World Championships in Peru, the rush of nerves, adrenaline, excitement, and sense of pride is something I will never forget. 

I began working at Factor10 in 2009 on the reception desk after school, and by 2010 I found myself on the mats teaching classes. I thought Taekwondo was great as a student, and an athlete, but taking the step to become an instructor was one of the best things I have ever done. Being a Taekwondo Instructor, and a Head Instructor is the most rewarding job, it is so wonderful watching students develop as martial artists and, and seeing them grow and develop as people. Taekwondo not only teaches the skills of kicking, punching, striking, and self defence, but it also instils many life skills – discipline, commitment, resilience. 

Factor10 is one of a kind, and I am so grateful that it was the local club that my parents signed me up at.

Qualifications & Experience:

Bachelor of Exercise & Sports Science
Graduate Certificate of High Performance Sport
Master of High Performance Sport 
Certificate III in Fitness
Australian Taekwondo Sporting Schools Program Manager
Australian Taekwondo Queensland Administration Officer
Australian Taekwondo World Poomsae Championships Team Coaching Staff 2022
Australian Taekwondo Poomsae Referee – Level 1 
Australian Taekwondo Poomsae & Kyorugi Performance Coach 
Australian Taekwondo Univeraide Team 2014
Australian Taekwondo Commonwealth Championships Team 2014 – Bronze Medal
Australian Taekwondo Kukkiwon Hanmadang Team 2015 & 2019
Australian Taekwondo Wolrd Poomsae Championships Team 2016
Australian Taekwondo Online Oceania Championships Team 2021
Australian Taekwondo National Development Squad 2012
Australian Taekwondo Poomsae Officiating Committee Chairperson 2022-2023
Queensland Poomsae Coach 2017-present 
Queensland Poomsae Performance & Referee Committee Chairperson 2017 -2021
Working with Children Check
First Aid + CPR

 

A recent article – Australia Day Award Nomination:
18 year old Maddy is leading the way in the sports area and has been since she was 6 years old

Maddy started her introduction into the world of sport by training in Taekwondo from the age of 6 and now has nearly 50 medals under her belt, including national championships status.  Maddy is now involved and committed to doing the public circuit in schools inspiring young people to make smart decisions.

Maddy has become a huge inspiration to many children and adults alike. After years of training Maddy went through specific leadership education to become a Martial Arts instructor in the sport she so loved. At the age of 14 Maddy was teaching all ages of students, her first class of students being a blackbelt class.

As an instructor Maddy never rested on her laurels and has since gone on to become a group leader at the Martial Arts club, a role that has her mentoring other young instructors on how to teach and be excellent leaders and a member of the Nationals development squad.  Maddy has also obtained a Certificate 3 in fitness and is now studying a degree in exercise physiology.

As an example of Maddy’s personal integrity and belief in being a mentor to young kids on Maddy’s 18th birthday she was competing at national championships rather than going out and getting drunk.  Of recent times Maddy has begun public speaking to schools supporting the Matthew Stanley foundation with their One Punch Can Kill campaign.

This young lady has done so much at such a young age that she deserves a thanks for the inspiration and leadership she provides to all that touch her life. Her personal list of accomplishments includes:

  • Invited to compete at the World Games
  • STA Accredited Poomsae Judge
  • Invited to judge at Nationals
  • Qualified to compete at Oceania Event 2012
  • Acted as an Official at Oceania Event 2012
  • Held a place on the National Development Squad 2012
  • STA Accredited Sparring Coach
  • 3rd Dan Bo Black Belt
  • Hold a Cert 3 in Fitness
  • Accepted in Australian Catholic University to study Bachelor of Exercise Sports Science

Maddy won’t stop there though, she already has big ambitions to:

  • Compete at the World Event 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Compete at the Commonwealth 2018
  • Qld State Poomsae coach
  • Poomsae Judge at IR level
  • Grade to 3rd Dan 2013
  • STA Sparring Referee Qualification

Here in Brisbane we have many parents who are grateful that Maddy is part of helping their kids grow up and see the opportunities and possibilities of taking the path she has through exercise and Martial Arts rather than alcohol and poor choices.