End Of An Era

Well that was it, Ford Judo Club closed its doors last night on the place it has called home for the last 40 years or so. It would have been nice to have seen out my 25th year of coaching there which would have been next year, but it wasn't to be. I have seen many come and go over the years and I suppose that is the circle of life, if they all stayed we would need Crystal Palace as our dojo.

We have been thrown a live line by Christine Evans at the Harlequins Gymnastics Club and I am looking forward now to getting the club set up there and recruiting new members, so if anyone knows of friends or relatives who would like to take up judo, now is a good time!!

See you all next week, Bryant Avenue, next to Tesco!!!

Class Days and Times

We have restructured the Classes so we can get more from our judo time. Please find below the new timetable. We will be trying to generate new members for our beginner classes so if anyone knows of relatives or school friends that would like to take up judo, now is a good time.

Mondays
6.30pm - 7.30pm Beginners 5-15 years of age (anyone doing judo less than 1 year)
7.30pm - 8.30pm Ladies + Elite Squad (Technical)/ Dan Grade Theory
8.30pm - 10.00pm Senior

Wednesdays
6.30pm - 8.00pm Intermediate + 1 year of judo experience
8.00pm - 9.30pm Advanced Judoka, Squad members and High Grade

Friday
6.30 - 7.30 Beginners 5-15 years and Intermediate
7.30 - 8.30 Advanced Judoka, Squad members and High Grade
8.30pm - 10.00pm Open Randori Senior and Advanced Youth

Here's to the future everyone. Hope to see you all at the New (Temporary)Club from 01.09.08

Bill...

Club Profiles

Stuart Stvenson
Age 29
Grade 2nd Dan
Achieved 1st Dan 1997
Age started judo 7
qualified club coach 1999

Why Choose Judo?
Needed to take up a sport and wanted to do something a bit different from the football and stuff. Not very insperational but that is how it was. I didn't have a clue what judo was and sometimes I still think the same.

John Debono
Age 46
Grade 4th Dan
Achieved 1st Dan 1981
Age started judo 8, with John Hall 3rd Dan at Durning Hall, Forest Gate.
Qualified club coach in 1999

I started at Ford Judo Club in 1995 and been a club coach for 9 years and at the moment am working hard to becoming a Senior Examiner and getting my 5th Dan.

Frank Goulding
Age started judo 10
First grading 1965
Age started judo 10
Present grade 2nd Dan gained in 1982.

Introduced to judo by my father, Dennis who was also a coach. I attended many clubs including Upton Manor, Kensington Youth, The Highway and Stratford. I represented Newham and London. My coaches in the early days were Sid Gogbern and Terry Pumfrey then John Ryan, Colin Gilbert and Pat Walker.
Junior honours 14,16 and 18 British Team Champions and under 16 and 17 Individual Champion.

Craig Ringer
I have been a member of Ford Judo Club since 2000 and became a Table Official in 2001 as a Time Keeper. I got promoted to a Competition Recorder in 2003 and then a Senior Recorder in 2005 and am now able to run 2 Star Events.
I officiate all over the country in both National and International event including GB World Cup and the European Masters.

Debbie Ringer
I have been a member of Ford Judo Club since 2000
Gained my coaching cetificate in 2006
Obtained my 1st Dan in October 07'.
Become a member of the British Masters Squad in 2006 after winning a silver medal and then medalled again in 2007 to retain my place.