junior taekwon-do
in helensburgh

 
 

Fun, active and structured classes for kids 7-10.

If you’re looking for a good activity for your child, something active that they’ll enjoy but is also structured and builds life skills they'll use outside the class — Junior Taekwon-do at SMMA could be it.

What is Taekwon-do?

Taekwon-do is a Korean martial art which uses punches and kicks, and it has its roots in Korean kickboxing and karate. The name means ‘the art of hand and foot’ - read more about Taekwon-do here.

About the classes

We run Junior Taekwon-do classes for children aged 7–10 in Helensburgh, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Monday classes are at Helensburgh Parish Church halls at 4.45pm — a great after-school activity to start the week. Wednesday classes are also at the Parish Church at 4.45pm, and Saturday classes are at Hermitage Academy at 11am.

Every session is structured but relaxed. We mix energetic warm-ups and games with kicking and punching drills, pad work and partner exercises, with plenty of encouragement along the way. It's physical, and it's fun.

What your child will get out of it

Taekwon-do does something that's quite hard to explain until you see it. Kids come in a little uncertain, a little shy, and within a few weeks something shifts. They stand differently. They try things they'd have shied away from before. They get back up when something doesn't go right.

Some of that is the training. A lot of it is the environment — the routine, the respect, the sense of progression and achievement as small wins add up into something bigger.

Here's what parents tell us they notice most:

  • More confidence. Not just in class — at school, at home, in new situations.

  • Better focus. Learning to listen, follow instructions, and stay on task (without it feeling like being at school).

  • New friendships. Working with other kids, being part of a group, feeling like they belong somewhere.

  • A real sense of achievement. The belt system gives kids clear goals to work towards and something to feel genuinely proud of when they get there.

  • Fitness and coordination. Balance, movement, agility — all improving through training they actually enjoy.

Progress is always at their own pace. There's no pressure, we grade students as they are ready, and they earn their new belt. Our junior belt gradings are not a scary process, at this stage it’s a celebration of the younger students’ effort and achievement.

 
“My daughter Izzy has been going to Taekwondo for nearly two years and she absolutely loves it. Her self confidence has really grown and she’s learned that hard work and practice pays off when she has earned a new belt.”
— Kirstin A.
 

Not a team sports kid? That's fine!

Taekwon-do suits a lot of children who don't naturally take to football, dancing or rugby — kids who prefer individual challenges, who thrive with structure and clear goals, or who just haven't found their thing yet.

Martial arts rewards effort and attitude as much as natural ability, and that makes a real difference to kids who've felt left behind in other sports.

About SMMA

Steven McLaren is a 6th Dan Taekwondo Master, and has been teaching martial arts and combat sports in Helensburgh for over 25 years. He coaches to international competition level and for the Taekwondo Scotland national team. We run Taekwondo classes for all ages and abilities — from 3-year-olds in our Little Dragons class right through to adult black belts.

We're a friendly, welcoming family-orientated club. Everyone is welcome, whatever their background or ability level, and we take pride in being a place where kids feel safe, included, and encouraged.

Try a class for FREE

We always encourage families to come and try a class before committing to anything. Your child's first session is completely free — it's the best way to see whether they enjoy it and whether it's a good fit.

Classes are:

  • Mondays 4.45pm Helensburgh Parish Church

  • Wednesdays 4.45pm Helensburgh Parish Church

  • Saturdays 11am Hermitage Academy

To book a free trial, just get in touch:

Call 07722 068238

Email mac@smmacombatsports.co.uk

Message us on Facebook at @smmartialarts

Use the form on our contact page


If you’ve any questions about the classes, Taekwon-do or anything else we do, please feel free to get in touch and ask!


Also at SMMA

Looking for classes for a different age group, or want to try something alongside Taekwon-do? We also offer:

See all classes and timetables →