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As club members and parents of club members you already know the power of judo - balance, awareness, confidence, and knowing how to land safely. Now we’re bringing those benefits to older adults through “Dynamic Balance for Life” - a supportive 6-week program designed to help people build balance, sharpen reflexes, and learn how to move and fall safely.  Using gentle, judo-based techniques, participants will: 

• learn how to move and fall safely, including the judo principle of ukemi (breakfalls),
• train their body to respond when they slip, trip, or stumble,
• build balance and confidence in everyday movement,
• have fun and make new connections in a welcoming environment.

• This program is ideal for older adults; however, it is open to anyone who wants to stay steady, confident, and active, so they can keep doing what they love, for life.

 The first pilot program of Dynamic Balance For Life is starting at Budokan in April, here are the program details:

• Starts: Tuesday 21st April 2026, 10.15am for a 10.30am start; 1-hour sessions
• Then the next 5 Tuesdays finishing 26th May 2026

Reducing injury risk and helping older adults maintain their quality of life delivers enormous benefits to the community — not only for individuals, but also for the healthcare system. 

• Know someone who might benefit? A parent, grandparent, friend, or neighbour?

• If so, please share this article or distribute the attached information sheet which contains details of pricing and how to register. Encourage them to save their spot and join us on the mat.

• If any enquiries, please get them to talk to Kerrye or me about the course.

We have some colourful A5 take-aways at the club. Steady for life starts here.

In 2024 we began a project to develop policies and procedures which support the club’s desire to protect our most valuable assets, our children.  It is essential for Budokan to be a safe place for everyone, and a place where everyone is to be treated with dignity and respect and given a fair go. We pride ourselves in offering a uniquely special environment for our members with the aim of giving everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential both on and off the mat. In doing that, it is our genuine desire and indeed our obligation to foster a culture which promotes safety and wellbeing in particular for our children. This project formalises that obligation and whilst it had its beginnings well over a year ago, it is a never-ending quest.

• At the 2025 AGM, Committee member Kenny Park replaced Nick Murkins as our MPIO (Member Protection and Information Officer) and Jarrod Cook as his assistant. At the moment we are reviewing our documents and our processes to ensure that we not only meet Government requirements, but also have the best chance to foster the culture and environment that we desire. 

• As a reminder to our long-standing members and for information to our newer members, the club’s current policies and procedures are available for your perusal. They are located in a clear folder hanging from the trophy cabinet above our main table. Feel free to review them and of course we are happy to take on any feedback that you may wish to offer.

• All Committee members, coaches, assistant coaches and regular coaching supporters have signed declarations whereby they formally agree to comply with and enforce the requirements of our policies.

• Kenny, Jarrod and I will now review the progress made to date and with the knowledge that there is still much to do, now buckle down to perform a full risk assessment with a view to roll-out a plan which is based on strategies to mitigate all identified risks, not just those which impact child-safety.

• We have just been audited by the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) and are currently performing a self-assessment against the OCG’s 10 child-safe standards. Together with the risk assessment, this self-assessment will inform our future club rules, policies and procedures.

• As we continue to grow our membership, these (normally monthly) newsletters will contain reminders of these policies and procedures advise all members of any changes and new requirements.

 Examples of things we have publicised in the past include the need to:

• observe the “Mat Protocol” attached to the email accompanying this newsletter
• park cars away from the front of the dojo (training hall)
• before your child’s class, accompany your child to the dojo door and after class, pick your child up from the dojo
• ensure that your child is accompanied to the bathroom in the Showground
• refrain from taking photos and videos of other children in the dojo
• refrain calling out to your child on the mat and from being a helicopter parent spectator where you follow your child around the mat perimeter.
• observe the code of conduct posters around the dojo
• keep your children who are not training on the mat away from all stored equipment and away from the immediate side of the mat
• make yourself familiar with the club’s Child-safe policies and procedures located in the folder hanging from the trophy cabinet in the club

 Please make every effort to comply with these requirements and please help the coaches and committee to enforce the requirements where you see others who do not take the same care as you. THIS IS YOUR CLUB AND THESE ARE YOUR CHILDREN – LET’S KEEP THE CLUB A SAFE PLACE FOR EVERYONE.