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INTERATIONAL UPDATE

NATIONAL COACH SELECTIONS

  • Congratulations to Kerrye Katz who was re-selected as one of the Cadet Team National Coaches. On announcing his retirement from international competition, Nathan Katz also applied for National Coaching positions and was successful in being added to the National Coaching Team for both Cadets and Junior Men/Women. Congratulations guys.

 NATIONAL CAMPS

  • Our year begins with some of our higher level athletes participating in the National Training Camp at the National Performance Centre in Melbourne from 8 – 13 January. All the best to Josh Katz, Max Zollinger, Aaron Xu and Crosby Peake. Kerrye, Nathan and I will also be attending.  We also have a number of Juniors and first year Cadets attending the Futures Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra on 11-13 January. Wishing Ben Zollinger, Daniil Savytskyi and Tim Reshanov a great camp. Nathan is also attending.

 INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS

  • After the camp in Melbourne, Josh will be travelling with the Senior National Team to train in Spain in preparation for his first block of competitions. The first is The Grand Prix in Odivelas (Portugal) 26-28 January followed by a short camp and then the Paris (France) Grand Slam 2-4 February followed by an international camp.  Wishing Josh a great start to his competition year and quest for Olympic qualification.

 For those interested, I have added a recent explanation of the Olympic Qualification system as explained by the European Judo Union. You’ll find this as an attachment to the email accompanying this newsletter. 

WHAT HAS JUDO DONE FOR YOU? MARKETING OUR CLUB

You might notice that we don’t do a lot of advertising of the club any more or run demonstations like we used to some years ago. Our numbers are pretty high and it’s a big job to keep everyone engaged, even with a great group of coaches. For all those who drop out over time, for example, because Judo can be too difficult, or they don’t have the time any more, or they lose interest (which I can’t relate to J), we seem to be able to get an intake of an equal number of people that find us. Maybe they find us through recommendations by our members and their parents (thank you so much), or by searching the web and finding our webpage, or by searching facebook and finding one of our two accounts, or on Instagram, or looking for martial arts/Judo on the Kidsbook community group. We are also very active in circulating our Newsletter, in maintaining good relationships with our local Council and State and Federal members, by nominating the club and its members for recognition and awards, by applying for Government grants, and so on.   

  • There are currently a lot of highlight videos on social media of major Judo events with huge throws and spectacular acrobatics. I suspect that these videos may not attract that many parents to putting their kids into Judo because it may look dangerous or they might think their child is too timid for such aggression.
  • The fact is that marketing Judo and Budokan is about showing that we do understand what people need, that we care, and that we can help. We have so many stories in the club of members who have transformed from shy, introverted, non-athletic children, to confident, social and strong children able to challenge themselves in whatever Judo offers them, whether that means achieving a certain grade, learning a new throw or a hold-down, competing in an event or refereeing and coaching, the proof is in the outcome. We have seen Judo and the club help to make their lives better, whether they stick with it or not, the discipline and ability to take on the challenges will be preserved. Some may even turn into successful international athletes and Olympians who themselves become mentors and coaches. Feel free to tell your friends of your own experience through Judo and through Budokan Judo Club, or send your experiences to me and I will post them (anonymously if you like).

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

We hope that you all had a relaxing and safe break over the holidays and we wish you all a very Happy New Year in the hope that it will be filled with great joy and success both on and off the mat. Certainly an exciting year ahead for Budokan in many ways. 

  • 2023 ended with a couple of great club events. Our Christmas party at Ryde Aquatic Centre was another huge success – thank you to everyone who attended. The pool, slides, and giant inflatables were a big hit!

 

  • Our Annual Awards Night held at the club on the 7th December was also an excellent night where we all celebrated the great achievements of our club and its members during 2024. Club coach Carlo showcased his famous wood-fired pizzas from “Pizza Alfresco”. Thanks to everyone who came and helped make it a memorable night.  A summary of the event is attached to the email accompanying this newsletter.

 

Copies of the magazine are at the club. 

  • Please let me know if you have any news that you want to share in future newsletters.  Enjoy the Newsletter and  “See you on the mat” very soon.

KEY DATES LAST CLUB TRAINING SESSIONS FOR 2023 FIRST CLUB TRAINING SESSIONS FOR 2024

2023 

  • 25 Nov 23               Pool Christmas Party        
  • 7 Dec 23                 Annual Awards Night
  • 9 Dec 23                 Last Saturday classes
  • 13 Dec23                Last Dinos and Mons classes
  • 18 Dec 23               Last Monday class
  • 19 Dec 23               Last Junior and Senior classes

 2024

  • 8 - 13 Jan 24          National Training Camp NPC Melb. (Senior, Junior M/W, Cadet)
  • 11 - 13 Jan 24         National Futures Camp - AIS (Juniors DoB 2009 and 2010 i.e last
  •                               year Senior B/G and first year Cadets, turning 14 or 15 in 2024;
  • 16 Jan 24               First Junior and Senior class (Tuesday/Thursday)
  • 22 Jan 24               First  Monday night
  • 20 Jan  24              First Saturday sessions for Competition Juniors and Seniors
  • 31 Jan 24               First Dinos and Mons class
  • 17 - 18 Feb 24        2024 ACT Open - Goulburn
  • 26 Feb 24               Next Committee meeting TBC
  • 2 - 3 Mar 24            2024 Sydney International - Liverpool
  • 17 Mar 24               Budokan Mons Competition
  • 13 – 14 Apr 24         2024 Melbourne International Open – Broadmeadows VIC
  • 7 - 9 Jun 24            2024 Nationals, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, Carrara
  • 30Jun24 or 1Sep24 TBC or alternative - Budokan Mons and Juniors
  • 20 – 21 Sep 24         Open Schools Ch/Ship and Brisbane International – Nathan, Brisbane
  • 18 Oct 24               Open Club Team Ch/Ship – Broadmeadows VIC

2023 ANNUAL BUDOKAN AWARDS NIGHT – THURSDAY 7TH DECEMBER: 6.30PM FOR 7.15PM START

Please join us for this event and help us celebrate the club’s achievements and those of our athletes and volunteers. Come and meet club members and parents outside of your class – come and talk to our Olympians and our international Cadets and Juniors. Find out what makes them tick. Come and celebrate #TeamBudokan

  • There will be no Junior and Senior classes on this night. Carlo’s wonderful wood-fired pizzas (https://www.pizzaalfresco.com.au/) are always spectacular. All club members of all classes and their families are welcome to attend.