Taekwondo Classes & Affiliation with the L.T.S.I.
L.T.S.I. Quality Taekwondo classes and event providers since 2004
Next major event
XI English TKD Opens
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Value for money
Competitive pricing set across the board. The L.T.S.I. prides itself on providing the best at every level.
The key to quality
No compromise on quality training, with a syllabus admired by many worldwide.
24/7 Website Support
Training tips and videos on our site 24 hours a day to help you on your journey.
Multiple Locations
We have full time Instructors and affiliate schools with us. We also welcome all U.K. groups and schools into our family as of January 2024.
So where did the L.T.S.I. come from in the early days?
The roots initially come from the TAGB who we were members of from 1986 to 1992 – in 1992, the senior instructor Mr. A. Manning (who taught the L.T.S.I. founder Mr. Snow) decided to join the B.U.T.F. under the guidance of Master R.M.K Choy, then 7th Dan. It was here that our senior coach formed his skills in line with the B.U.T.F. standards.
Sadly, in 2001, after a three day seminar under the guidance of the Taekwon-do founder General Choi Hong Hi, things came to light that made our coach and his members decide to take another path in their T.K.D. careers without the B.U.T.F. This was a big decision for us and extremely hard, as we left behind many friends, including severing a very big tie between Mr. Snow and his coach.
So, when you left B.U.T.F., what happened? Unfortunately, things took a bad turn, as many groups in the U.K. refused to house a 4th Dan and his clubs due to politics. This lead to bad decisions being made by backing the wrong groups who we would now rather forget about. We faced many unworkable rules being placed on us, normally after periods of six months, then the rules would change so we would leave. This happened four times, so we quickly gained a reputation of disloyal practitioners.
When did things settle? In 2004, after three years of stress and aggravation, we finally made a choice to affiliate to UK-ITF and re-brand and expand our group to the Lions Tae Kwon Do Schools Independent (L.T.S.I.). Things worked well here but, again, as rules changed, so did our opinion of the group.
Also in this year, we created the ‘South East Tae Kwon Do Opens’ which, over the years, has grown to the biggest event in the South East. In 2005, we would also create the ‘L.T.S.I. Invitationals’ which ran until 2012 – it was then changed to the L.T.S.I. English Opens due to its’ popularity.
In 2009, tensions grew and false claims were made against Mr. Snow and a number of other coaches – the UK-ITF had Mr. Snow and his group suspended which, in our opinion, was unfair and unwarranted.
It has to be noted that we had expanded to 500+ and ten schools, but a few coaches had left us as they thought the grass was greener by going direct with UK ITF. We personally do not hold grudges against them, as life is full of choices.
We then aligned ourselves as affiliates to another U.K. group but, after a very bad situation in 2011 of unfair practices by their senior Master, we left them and decided to stay outside of any UK group, as all those we had backed so far had harmed us over the years.
What happened from 2011? We have regained a strong membership and our championships attract 400+ competitors every time. We host and attend a seminar a year and have produced countless National, European and World medallist to date.
As of 2024 It is our goal to expand and push the L.T.S.I. affiliate programs to aid many UK schools and clubs.
What are the major steps L.T.S.I. has taken to date:
- 2001 Mr. Snow gains 4th Dan under the B.U.T.F. and after 10 years with them becomes independent.
- 2004 L.T.S.I. created
- 2004 First ever ‘South East Opens’ run (2013 saw the 10th South East Opens run)
- 2005 First ever ‘L.T.S.I. Invitationals’ run (2012 saw this event change name to English Opens)
- 2005 Mr. Snow promoted by I.T.F. council to 5th Dan after a grueling exam
- 2006 First ever open seminar is run by L.T.S.I.
- 2009 World Medalist produced by L.T.S.I.
- 2010 Mr. Smith (Mr. Snows longest serving student / instructor) gains 4th Dan
- 2010 European Medalist produced by L.T.S.I.
- 2010 Mr. Snow promoted to 6th Dan by I.T.F. council member
- 2012 Mr. Snow awarded a ‘World TKD Federation’ citation for a magazine he run for two years
- 2013 Mr. Smith (Mr. Snows longest serving student / instructor) gains 5th Dan
- 2013 Mr. Snow helps the U.I.T.F. to stage a world championships in the U.K.
- 2013 L.T.S.I. produces 9 bronze medalists and 4 silver medalists in the world championships
- 2014 Both Instructors are given awards for dedication to TaeKwon-Do (Mr. Smith a 10 year coaching award and Mr. Snow a 20 year coaching award)
- 2016 Mr. Snow is awarded International 7th Dan Black Belt by I.T.F. Union
- 2023 Mr. Snow is awarded international 8th Dan Black Belt by I.T.F. Union
- 2024 L.T.S.I. to launch its affiliates program in an attempt to make ITF Union more open to UK groups / clubs
With just a few active schools current in the L.T.S.I. and a healthy membership that continues to reap success everywhere we go, it proves bigger is not always better. The small lion roars with success and hard work.
Why join or affiliate to the L.T.S.I.
Top class events / awards as standard
Since 2004, the L.T.S.I. has hosted events in the U.K. that facilitate I.T.F. and independents from all over the four nations. The events have rules that suit both sides, meaning our opens are the fairest on the market. Profit is not our goal, unity and networking is. The awards we offer are amongst the best around - FACT!
No compromise on standards or dress code
Dress code is one of our top priority. All our Black Belts are required to attend all events in full official attire as above. There is NO compromise on how we conduct ourselves.
Certification and Licensing
One thing for sure, you will not find another U.K. group or body offering what we do. From license books for colour belts to Black Belt license books and status cards, we offer it all! We also provide International ITF Union certification as well.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Quality across the board
Value for money always
Traditional values always
Fully insured schools of Martial Arts
All grades fully verified
Many events hosted yearly
Our next main event
We host a number of events every year, weather it is open Taekwon-do championships that are trusted and proven or have an interest in seminars and courses we have you covered. Our affiliates have 100% freedom and we never interfere.
We've got you covered all the way
Whether it's insurance, recognition in a national group or looking for international recognition under an ITF body, we can help. Join us as a fully fledged member, or just affiliate to us....the choice is 100% yours with no hard sell.
What do I need to do if I'm interested?
Simply fill in the online form. All enquiries are 100% confidential, so no bridges will be burnt. We tend to get back in touch after we have done some research on you - this usually takes about 24 hours.
What happens if I join as a full member then want affiliated membership?
We are not an organisation that rules on fear (you know, the ones that attack you just because you decide it's not for you). Let us know and that's it. To be honest, we often say affiliation is best, then go full member after if you like. Again, there's no pressure.
Can I keep my own identity?
If you join fully, you gain many benefits, but it means using our suits etc. If you take affiliation, nothing changes and you can get access to everything we use at cost. We don't control anyone - all we ask is you follow correct timelines on exams and never put our group into disrepute online.
Can I grade my own students?
The rules are set by ITF Union for all full members and affiliates -
- Only 4th Degrees that have been on IIC's can examine members
- 4th and 5th Degree can grade up to 2nd Degree
- 6th Degree can grade up to 3rd Degree
- 7th Degree can grade up to 5th Degree
- 8th Degree can grade up to 7th Degree (7th is by permission of ITFU Promotion committee)
When you join, we will request proof of your promotions unless we know you already.
Do you have a constitution?
The L.T.S.I. sees constitutions as a way to enforce rules set by the organisation. We have a very basic Charter that works. No Board of Control, just an administration that looks after daily activities.
Full benefit information is only available to full members.
Our club was a full member of the L.T.S.I. in the start. We left to be part of another ITF body and chose to come back. We are now affiliated - no fuss, no pressure. We enter their events and love them. Highly recommended by Berkhamstead TKD
I've been a student of Master Snow's since 1996. I choose full membership as it works for my clubs and I have no interest in the politics, No stress, no pressure. The administration is on point and events are pretty classy.
We were affiliated to the L.T.S.I. for a number of years and never had any issues. Sadly, after Covid-19 my clubs folded, but I can verify their admin is pretty top notch. It's worth a punt if you want freedom.
Seminars with World class Masters and Grandmasters
The L.T.S.I. is led by Master Snow, 8th Degree
Despite our group head having one of the highest level degree belts in Taekwondo, we have a philosophy to provide the best Masters around for a given field. Whether it's sparring, patterns or technical, you can be sure the L.T.S.I. will always give you the best money can buy and make it competitive.
Grandmasters of the highest creed
We know our limits - getting a Grandmaster in from a reputable organisation gives our membership and attendees the best low cost experience money can buy.
