From Enjoy Judo Development Coach Dave Martin:

It’s been a busy couple of weeks and lots of fun for members of Enjoy Judo school clubs across the Ipswich and Felixstowe area. In addition to their normal weekly school classes and end of term grading, coached by British Judo school development coach Dave Martin, there have been local judo competitions held at two Ipswich schools. These development grass root events are introducing children to their first experience of competition alongside junior officials who volunteer their time to help support these school events: scoring, timekeeping, refereeing and recording.

During the Easter holidays special training camps for U8 and U16 are taking place at Deben High school Felixstowe, with players from different Enjoy Judo school clubs training together.

Claydon High & Primary school judo clubs, who recently re-established their school2dojo links with Ipswich Judo club, entered a team at the Westbourne sports partnership schools competition after school on 6 th April. For the majority of the team this was their first ever competition and all came back to their school clubs proudly showing off their medals and certificates.

Kesgrave High school was the venue for the Copleston sports partnership schools competition held after school on 7 th April. Although this event was limited to 50 competitors the following schools were represented: Kesgrave High, Deben High, Orwell High, Beacon Hill Primary, Causton Junior, Nacton Primary, Colneis Junior, Cliff Lane Primary, St Matthews Primary, Trimley St Mary Primary and Otley Primary.

The hosts, Kesgrave High school judo club, narrowily headed the medal table, with five schools producing Gold medalists. Dave Martin coach of all the competitors, who ran the competition, would like to thank in particular the volunteer officials who gave up their time freely to ensure that the event ran smoothly in 2 hours: Jarreth Hawkins, Aaron Hawkins and Ben Caldwell. Thanks also go to members of Ipswich Judo club and parents who supported the event. Kesgrave High school judo club like Claydon has an established school2dojo link with Ipswich Judo club.

Several Enjoy Judo school club players from Colneis Junior, Causton Junior, Claydon Primary, Deben High, Orwell High,

Kesgrave High, Otley Primary,Trimley St Mary Primary school and are now training regularly with Ipswich and Felixstowe community judo clubs in addition to their weekly school classes. Some are now showing a growing confidence and as their training increases there will be potential to achieve medal success at local open Area events.

To get involved in Enjoy Judo un Felixstowe please contact David Martin on dave.martin@britishjudo.org.uk