Every member of the Olympic squad who sets foot on the mat in Athens this summer will remember his or her first International trip representing Great Britain. For some of Judo’s talented youngsters coming through the Start Programme, last weekend's tournament in Holland marked that occasion.

Sixty-five members of the Start Boys squad were selected to attend the 31st International Judo Tournament in Venray. The more experienced members of the squad joined boys on their first year of the Start Programme for a very successful and useful tournament, where they gained valuable international experience and a few medals along the way.

Here the British Judo website follows them on their journey.

Friday 4th May

The journey for the boy’s in the “in 90/91 age group” starts on Friday. The bus commencing the long road to Holland has its first pick up at Ferrybridge services at midnight where Start Coach, Graeme Randall, is joined by coordinator Trevor Sitlinton, support coach Chloe O’Gorman and boys from the north of England. But for a few boys and support coach Gary Edwards it had started even earlier in Scotland on Thursday!

The bus spends the night collecting members of the squad and support coach Dennis Stewart throughout the length of the country. Seven hours after Ferrybridge the bus arrives at Dover for the ferry trip to Calais and the boys get a couple of hours to stretch their legs. The remainder of the coach trip through France and Holland finishes at the venue in Venray for the weigh-in, which goes smoothly, and relatively quickly.

The delegation finally arrives at the hotel at 5pm. It had been a long journey but as Trevor Sitlinton explains, for some, the Start Programme trips will be the only opportunity they have to get international experience,

“Those in the south of England get more opportunities to travel over a weekend, with their clubs for example, to international tournaments. For those coming from the north and Scotland it is not so easy, so these trips are even more valuable”.

At the hotel the delegation checks in and the boys have chance to have a bit of fun in the hotel gardens.

At 7.30pm after a few hours perfecting their skills on the pool table and dartboard, the squad gathers in the hotel for a briefing from Graeme. By 9.30pm it is in bed and lights out for the boys as it will be an early start in the morning.

Saturday 5 th May

After finishing breakfast, the squad heads to the venue. Whether they were competing first or last, every member of the squad takes part in the morning squad warm up with Graeme Randall and Gary Edwards, which is followed by a briefing from Graeme.

Over 1800 entries from over 14 nations, clubs and regional teams attended the tournament. With Great Britain being the second largest entry after the Dutch, the squad warm-up is a performance in its self and members of other nations who want to join in quickly appear to take part!

The tournament starts at 10.30 and finishes at 7.30. Run on eight mats, sometimes the squad had a player on every single mat, which called for a military type operation from Graeme and the support coaches who were coaching mat side.

The squad picked 7 medals and 8 5th place positions. Luke Taylor, picked up Great Britain’s gold medal of the day in the over 66kg weight category, fighting well against some tough international competition.

After the tournament it is time to say goodbye to the first group of boys and hello to those in the “88/89” group, as well as some junior boys, who had traveled over with support coaches Bill Kelly and Jamie Johnson. Back at the hotel, Graeme does another briefing before everyone retires to their bed.

Sunday 6th May

The venue was much quieter on Sunday, although with 36 entries over the different weight and age groups it was still as busy as ever for the squad and support coaches.

Again the squad performed brilliantly and to their potential picking up 17 medals during the day.  Greg Varey and Jean-Rene Badrick picked up gold medals for Great Britain, winning all their matches.

After another long day the coach headed back to the UK, finally arriving back at Ferrybridge 12 hours later.

Graeme and all the support coaches noted that every member of the squad should be proud of their performances over the two days. The sheer number of entries meaning that even to finish 5th required more wins than would normally be required to win a medal.

Results

©All pictures BJA/Mike Varey

Relaxing in the gardens of the hotel

A cadet in action

Paul, the physio, straps up some more toes!

After a busy day on the mat the little guy needed a snooze!

The older boys arrive

Morning briefing from Graeme

More action from the GB cadets

Mat side coaching from Graeme and Jamie