Young taekwondo players will train in the Safwan Khalil Room at the Australian College of Physical Education campus ©ACPE

The Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) has become Australian Taekwondo's latest sponsor, and will host the New South Wales version of the Fighting Futures programme as part of the agreement.

The Safwan Khalil Room - named after an ACPE alumnus who is set to compete at Tokyo 2020 - will be made available to Australian Taekwondo to host Fighting Futures activities.

Australian Taekwondo will also hold development camps on the campus, with the NSW Fighting Futures scheme to be permanently based at ACPE.

Twenty promising athletes aged 14 to 21 are enrolled on the NSW Fighting Futures programme.

"ACPE has done an absolutely amazing job with the room and have been so generous to our organisation," said Australian Taekwondo's performance pathway lead Ali Khalil.

"As a former Olympic coach, I understand the needs for junior development programs and with ACPE on board and the Safwan Khalil Room our NSW Fighting Futures athletes have a very bright future ahead indeed."

ACPE staff member James Galea and student Marko Marketa will deliver weekly strength and conditioning training to the Fighting Futures athletes.

Safwan Khalil is preparing to compete at a third Olympic Games ©Getty Images
Safwan Khalil is preparing to compete at a third Olympic Games ©Getty Images

Safwan Khalil, who graduated from ACPE in 2014 with a Bachelor of Health and Movement, will play a mentoring role.

Khalil has exited the men's under-58-kilogram division at the quarter-final stage in each of the last two Olympic Games, losing to the eventual gold and silver medallists.

Now 35, he is a Pacific Games champion and also won a gold medal at the Shenzhen 2011 Summer Universiade.

ACPE is "extremely excited to welcome Australian Taekwondo", according to partnerships manager Michael McKnight.

"ACPE will be supporting the development of all athletes through providing a wide range of educational resources, developed internally through the ACPE academic team, and by designing and delivering a tailored strength and conditioning programme. 

"This level of support has not previously been provided at a junior national level in taekwondo and we hope to have a lasting impact on these athletes. 

"In addition, this partnership will create new learning opportunities for ACPE students and alumni right here on campus."