Recent news articles

KEY DATES & CALENDAR

  1. 7 - 9 Jun 24              2024 Nationals, Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, Carrara
  2. 14 Jul 24                  NSW Community Series 1
  3. 25 Aug 24                 NSW Community Series 2
  4. 30Jun24 or 1Sep24  Budokan Mons and Juniors (likely to be cancelled)
  5. 8 Sep 24                   NSW Community Series 3
  6. 20 – 21 Sep 24         Open Schools Ch/Ship and Brisbane International – Nathan, Brisbane
  7. 18 Oct 24                  Open Club Team Ch/Ship – Broadmeadows VIC
  8. 10 Nov 24                 NSW Community Series 4
  9. 23 Nov 24 (TBC)      Christmas Party – Ryde Aquatic Centre
  10. 5 Dec 24                   Budokan Awards Night

NEW CLUB EQUIPMENT STORAGE

Thanks to Committee member Andras Koltai for designing, sourcing, procuring and installing (with a bit of help) the new storage shelving units which have completely decluttered the area which was used to store the equipment used by our Dinos and Mons classes.  Thanks also to Committee members Nick and Kenny and the other Dads who cleaned up that corner of the hall (including the spare mats and chairs) in preparation for the new shelving units. Great effort – great result.

  • Note to new members: please do not allow siblings of children participating in classes to access any of the equipment stored in these units or in the event that they have been left out of the units. It is not for their use and using the equipment outside Judo classes poses a risk to your children and the club.

MOVIE NIGHT – 18TH MAY

We had not run one of these nights for some time and this one was another great success. Great fun sitting/lying on crash-mats in the club, watching movies, eating cinema food. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported this event. This one was a fundraiser organised by, and with proceeds going to the Cadets who travelled earlier in the year for European Cup events in Poland and Germany: Max Zollinger, Aaron Xu, and Nikola Dobric. Well done guys for organising this. A number of athletes slept overnight in the hall and we ran training in the morning for Juniors and Seniors who will represent NSW at the Nationals.

BUDOKAN CLASS RESTRUCTURE PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR

  • In an earlier Newsletter, I advised that we have been looking at ways to improve the effective delivery of Judo skills and experiences to our club’s athletes.  Participation during our Tuesday and Thursday Junior classes comprising U/11, U/13 and U/15 athletes from beginner level to National Champion, have been substantial, sometimes with over 50 children. Whilst it is a “great problem” to have in the club, it has been clear that we can deliver a better service by splitting the group into 2 classes, based on experience levels. 

 

  • One class would be for higher skilled competition-level judoka, the “Competitive-Level Junior” class, and the other class will be for less experienced, less skilled Judoka including all beginners, the “Fundamental-Level Junior” class.  

 

  • As  a result of discussions with some of our Senior athletes, from the beginning of Term 3 (22nd July), we will introduce a “Fundamental Junior Class” from 5.00-6.00pm starting on Thursdays only, which over time will ideally expand to Tuesdays. 

 How this will work:

  • On Tuesday 22nd July and onwards, the 6.00-7.30pm class will continue as is. However, all Juniors with white/yellow and yellow belts, who are able to participate in the new Thursday 5.00-6.00pm class, will transfer to that class.
  • On Thursday 24th July and onwards, from 5.00pm – 6.00pm, all Juniors with white/yellow and yellow belt, unless otherwise advised by Kerrye, will participate in this class.
  • All beginners commencing in Term 3 will only be able to participate in the Thursday 5.00-6.00pm class.

 

  • Apologies if this is an inconvenience for some parents whose children currently participate in the 6.00-7.30pm Junior class but this is in the best interests of all of our Junior members.

We are very lucky that some of our very talented Seniors will be running this new session. Congratulations to Will Zollinger, Clarissa Vumbaca and Phoenix Edwards for taking on the coaching role for this class. Mina Woo, Jacinta Vumbaca and Lynne McCredden will also be supporting this class.  As mentioned, it is our intention over time to mirror the Thursday 5.00-6.00pm class to Tuesdays. 

BUDOKAN MONS AND JUNIOR (U/11) COMPETITION – 17TH MARCH

  • We held our first Mons and Junior (U/11) competition for the year. A solid turnout and support from athletes representing Budokan Judo Club, OKO, Tiger-Do, Zen Bu, UTS, Judo Way of Life, Blacktown City, Kumataka and UNSW. As usual, whilst we run this event using fully manual systems and processes, it started on time, ran smoothly and had fantastic atmosphere with the canteen and BBQ humming. Thanks to the NSW referees who supported the event and to our amazing club members and families who stepped up as always to help make this event another great success. Feedback from all the attending clubs was very positive. Results for Budokan athletes follows:

Mons:

  • Gold: Jancy Zhang, Nathan Zhang
  • Silver: Victoria Grech, Hayden Bielby, Thomas Blanch, Lachie Richards
  • 4th/ 5th: Myat (Max) Pyae, Ramzy Mostafa, Isaac Ma

Special Awards:

  • Best Ne-Waza: Hayden Bielby
  • Best Spirit: Isaac Ma

 Juniors:

  • Gold: Levi Murkins, Isabelle Tan, Luke Park, Gretchen Dong
  • Silver: Lucas Conti, Aleks Dobric, Elliot Mar
  • Bronze: Brendan Jones, Sophia Kong, William Blanch
  • 4th/ 5th: Timothy Campbell

Special Awards:

  • Best Tachi-Waza: Lucas Conti
  • Best Ne-Waza: Isabelle Tan, Aleks Dobric
  • Player of the Day: Levi Murkins