Poomsae Information centre

For all those that are passionate about Poomsae, this is where you will find information for all your poomsae needs.

We are in the process of developing this information centre so please check in regularly for updates.

Meet the Poomsae Team

Taekwondo New Zealand is preparing for 2024 and beyond, with the aim to support and develop athletes to enter the international stage of competition.

In 2023 Master Sophia Haynes was appointed as National Poomsae Director and the National Poomsae Coach. She leads a team of Poomsae coaches that are dedicated to laying the foundation for excellence in our athletes. Each of our coaches aims to support regional develop of poomsae athletes, so that we all grow stronger together.


  • - National Poomsae Development Director

    -Poomsae HP Officer

    -National Poomsae Coach

    Master Sophia Haynes is a Kukkiwon 6th Dan Black Belt. She is also an active World Taekwondo International Referee in Poomsae and holds a 2nd classs Kukkiwon Poom/Dan Examiner and Master Instructor Certification. She is an instructor, Kukkiwon examiner, WT referee and Poomsae athlete.

    Master Sophia enjoys the mental Focus of Poomsae and their application in self defense. She believes that Poomsae is all inclusive, with all ages and physical ability, everyone can set their own goals and challenge themselves in their own journey, on the national, continental and world stage.

  • Poomsae Coach

    Region: Lower North Island


    Nick Jury is a 4th Dan Kukkiwon certified Master. He has been active in taekwondo for over 20 years. Nick describes himself as having a passion for not only upskilling himself, but also for wanting to pass on what he has learnt to the next generation of competitors coming through.


  • Poomsae Coach

    Region: South Island.

    Anthony Chan is a seasoned Poomsae coach with a passion for imparting precision and grace in Taekwondo. As a coach and athlete he has experience competing internationally and nationally holding titles in both New Zealand and Oceania. With years of experience, he combines technical expertise with a keen eye for detail, nurturing athletes to excel in the art of Poomsae.

    Anthony’s coaching style is charaterised by dedication, discipline, and a commitment to instilling both physical prowess and mental resilience in his athletes.


  • Poomsae Coach

    Region: Upper North Island

Meet the Selectors

  • Poomsae Coach

    My name is Sammie Price (nee Knox) and I have been practicing the art of Taekwondo for over 24 years now, the last 4 of which have been on a maternity leave with 3 of my young children.

    I am a Kukkiwon 4th Dan Black Belt and multi-New Zealand Poomsae Champion in various divisions, with a very expansive back ground of accomplishments varying from Poomsae Judging/Refereeing accreditations, to Competing and Coaching New Zealand National teams in ranking international events.

    My career in representing New Zealand as an international competitor expands over 10 years, competing in Australian and Korean Opens, multiple Oceania Championships, Commonwealth Games and, multiple World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in my respective divisions, both individually and in the Female Teams events.



    I have also had the pleasure to Coach the New Zealand team in Australian Opens, Oceania Championships, and the Commonwealth Games, and help as assistant coach in World Championships.

    Myself and my Instructor Master Greg O'Brien from Hutt City Taekwondo originally implemented the Poomsae Squad programme before 2012 in the Lower North Island. Our proposal to TUNZ to formalise the Poomsae Director Programme was approved in 2012, and I quickly went from Junior Poomsae Director to the Head Poomsae Director, creating and teaching my own developmental Poomsae syllabus, which is still used by many of my past students and clubs I have reached across NZ over the years.

    I with the help of the TUNZ Board, selected a team of like-minded talent across NZ to assist me in teaching the Poomsae Squad syllabus across the regions, and I am happy to say in my absence over maternity break, this structure is still in place and thriving under new management.

    I have attended multiple Poomsae seminars with some of the worlds most elite Poomsae experts and champions, and maintain a good rapport with them to this day to upskill myself and stay current.
    I've successfully gained a WT International Poomsae Referee Certificate accreditation before heading on Maternity Leave, and will look to sit this again in the near future now I am back in the game.



  • Hi I’m Sharon Knox, I am a 4th Dan Black Belt. I am an Instructor & Examiner at Capital City Club in Lower Hutt.

    Through my journey of Taekwondo I have been a part of the Poomsae Squad as a Director, a NZ Manager for NZ Poomsae Team for Worlds and Oceania. I have competed as an Athlete in Individuals, Mixed Pairs & Teams at “Worlds”, Commonwealth Games, Oceanias & within NZ Tournaments.

    I am a Poomsae Judge at NZ tournaments. I have gained my Kukkiwon International Masters Certificate & Kukkiwon International Examiner Certificate.