On Saturday 12 February, Brunel University’s sport centre was transformed into the venue for the 2011 London Universities Senior Open Championships .

Students from Universities across England and Wales descended onto West London’s impressive Campus University for what is now billed to be one of the most exciting competitions on the University Judo calendar.

Having enjoyed its inauguration at Middlesex University in November 2009, this year’s event was expected to be even bigger and better, with Brunel University’s impressive Netball Centre the fitting backdrop for the competition’s heightened profile and growing reputation.

The British Judo Association has been working closely alongside almost 60 Universities since the implementation of its network of Regional Development Officers in July 2009. Whilst supporting the growing number of existing University Judo clubs, the BJA has also been successful in launching a further 6 new University Judo clubs since the start of the 2010-11 academic year, all of which were represented at this year’s London Universities Senior Open Championships.

An innovative Student Voucher Book initiative was launched by the BJA in September 2010, which has so far enticed 260 newcomers into the sport British Judo Association University Campaign (Partnership Progress Plan Report) . The London Universities Senior Open Championships presented the first opportunity for these novices to taste the competitive aspects of one of the Olympics’ most prestigious sports, with the event open to students of all levels, male and female. With a respectable 91 competitors from 12 Universities taking-part in the inaugural event, this year saw a dramatic rise of 145 competitors from 25 Universities entering, with novices to International Judokas gracing the two competition mats.

As part-of the event’s heightened profile, the British Judo Association secured a generous sponsorship donation from the GFI Group. Headquartered in New York, GFI employs more than 1,700 people with additional offices in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, Cape Town, Dubai, Tel Aviv and Dublin. The GFI Group provides services and products to over 2,200 institutional clients, including leading investment and commercial banks, corporations, insurance companies and hedge funds.

It is hoped that such partnerships will pave the way for a sustainable future in University Judo competition, as the BJA seeks support from the private sector in return for the acclaim associating their generosity with helping to achieve a more physically active student population.

In addition to the impressive level of Judo on-show throughout the course of the day, the competition also attracted several of the UK’s leading International Judo Federation Referees, touted to be selected to officiate at the 2012 London Games.

With 25 Universities all hungry for success, the competition for medals was rife. Oxford University found themselves at the helm of the medal table for the second year running, taking an unprecedented 10 medals. But a special mention must be paid to Plymouth University Judo Club, who having only been established as a BJA Club and University outfit since the turn of this year, returned home to the South coast with a highly-commendable 6 medals, 4 of which were gold.

Sandwiched between Warwick University’s competition last Saturday 5 th February and this weekend’s University of Sheffield International Student Tournament, the London Universities Senior Open Championships contributed to what proves to be the busiest two months on the University Judo calendar, in the lead-up to next month’s BUCS Championships.

Luke Farrugia, London Regional Development Officer (University and College Judo) for the BJA spoke of the event: “Organising this year’s 2011 London Universities Senior Open Championships was a real eye-opener; both to the vast potential and growing demand for a greater provision for University Judo competition, but moreover to the wealth of talented individuals we are currently harbouring within our Universities. It was extremely encouraging to see students of all abilities coming together with some of the sports leading referees and officials, to ensure that everyone involved enjoyed a thoroughly memorable day for University Judo.

"Given all the hard work and effort afforded by the BJA in developing the opportunities for students to become more readily involved in Judo during their time at University, the London Universities Senior Open Championships is now a fundamental retention tool in supporting our Higher Education campaign.”