LONG EATON

JUDO CLUB INFORMATION PACK

Introduction - BJA Club Number - 523

Long Eaton Judo Club first came into existence as long ago as 1961. This was as a result of a demonstration held at the Long Eaton Youth centre. The original group of people that formed the club included Stuart Arundel, who today is still actively involved with the club as a trustee and committee member. Also involved at this time was Mary Tyler, who on marriage became Mary Hawkins, the wife of the current Club Chairman Ray Hawkins. Their children, David and Jane (Club Secretary), and Son in Law Daren are all active club members.

Throughout the years the club has continued to develop and now has a very strong membership of males and females at both junior and senior level. Several of the senior members have, with the benefit of the coaching the club is able to provide, together with their own hard work and dedication, attained the level of Black Belt. Indeed some of the current Black Belts within the club began their Judo careers as juniors with Long Eaton.

Children are taken on at the club from as young as five years old. Basic coaching is provided by the club to introduce the children to the rules, etiquette and moves of the sport until they are experienced enough to move up into the more advanced groups. All levels of training at junior level include a number of games that are generally played on a team basis. This helps to build a club spirit as well as keep the children interested.

All training is overseen by suitably qualified instructors together with other club members with appropriate levels of skill. The coaching staff within the club provide this service purely on a voluntary basis.

The permanent dojo used by the Judo Club was completed in April 2009 and was paid for by a Sport England Community Club Development Grant. Only through the efforts of committee members and the parents of members can the premises be kept in a good and clean condition. Perhaps two or three times a year, an appeal is made for help and Sunday mornings are used in order to ensure that the building remains in good repair. If you are able to provide support on these occasions, any help will be much appreciated. The clubs committee members are constantly seeking ways of raising money for the club through grants and any other fundraising.

Judo is an interesting sport to learn. It is a healthy activity which encourages a sense of discipline in the individual. Anyone wishing to take part is welcome at Long Eaton Judo Club.

On first visiting the club, it is important that full details of any new members are given to a senior official of the club. As at all similar clubs, this will include details such as names, age, address etc, together with any medical information required. Also as part of the clubs child protection policy a photograph declaration form should be signed to agree to the club using photographs of the junior members for publicity purposes.