Maddy Houston

Head Instructor - 5th Dan

Maddy’s journey at Factor10 Martial Arts began in 2002 when, at just six years old, she walked into her first Taekwondo class alongside her neighbours at the local club run by Master Damien O’Flaherty. From that very first lesson she was hooked, and more than two decades later she is proud to be the Head Instructor of the very club where her Taekwondo journey began.

Maddy earned her 1st Dan Black Belt in 2005 and was promoted to 5th Dan in 2023. She began competing in Poomsae in 2005, winning her first Australian National Championship that same year. Since then, she has represented Australia on numerous occasions, including at the FISU Universiade, Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships, Kukkiwon Hanmadang and the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships. Highlights of her career include winning a Commonwealth bronze medal in 2014, representing Australia at the 2016 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Peru, and again being selected for the Australian Team at the 2026 World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Chuncheon, South Korea.

In 2022, Maddy was also selected as a coach for the Australian Team at the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships, giving her the unique experience of representing Australia as both an athlete and coach on the world stage.

Maddy joined the Factor10 team in 2009, working on reception after school before stepping onto the mats as an instructor in 2010. While she loved Taekwondo as both a student and an athlete, becoming an instructor quickly became her greatest passion. Watching students gain confidence, overcome challenges, achieve goals and develop into respectful, resilient young people is what makes teaching so rewarding.

For Maddy, Taekwondo is about far more than kicks, punches and self-defence. It teaches discipline, resilience, respect, perseverance and confidence—qualities that help students succeed both on and off the mats. She is passionate about creating a positive, welcoming environment where every student, regardless of age or ability, can reach their full potential.

Having grown up at Factor10, Maddy is incredibly grateful that her parents chose the club all those years ago. Today, she is honoured to continue its legacy by helping the next generation discover the same love of Taekwondo that shaped her own life.

Taekwondo Qualifications:

• 5th Dan Black Belt
• 4th Dan Kukkiwon
• Current Australian Team Athlete
• World Taekwondo International Poomsae Referee
• Australian Taekwondo 1st Class Poomsae Referee
• Australian Taekwondo Level 1 Performance Coach – Poomsae
• Australian Taekwondo Level 1 Performance Coach – Kyorugi

Education:

• Master of High Performance Sport
• Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science
• Graduate Certificate in High Performance Sport
• Certificate III in Fitness

Taekwondo Representative Experience & Leadership:

• Current Australian Team Athlete
• Current Australian Team Manager
• Australian Taekwondo Staff Member
• Australian Taekwondo Queensland Administration Officer
• Australian Taekwondo National Championships Poomsae Coordinator (2024)
• Australian Team Coaching Staff – World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships (2022)
• Australian Team – World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships (2016 & 2026)
• Australian Team – Commonwealth Taekwondo Championships (2014 – Bronze Medal)
• Australian Team – FISU Universiade (2014)
• Australian Team – Kukkiwon Hanmadang (2015 & 2019)
• Australian Team – Online Oceania Championships (2021)
• Australian National Development Squad (2012)
• Chair, Australian Taekwondo Poomsae Officiating Committee (2022–2023)
• Queensland Poomsae Coaching Staff (2017–Present)
• Chair, Queensland Poomsae Performance & Referee Committee (2017–2021)

Other Qualifications:

• Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• First Aid & CPR
• Anti-Doping Fundamentals
• Child Protection & Safeguarding Children and Young People
• Harassment & Discrimination Training
• Community Coaching Essential Skills