Dear Head Teacher
I think we would all agree that discipline, respect and moral fibre are at an all time low in the UK, we have a youth culture who’s religion is drugs, booze, computers and sex and their Gods are Celebrities who are also part of the same religion. Some of you may be up in arms saying that not all youngsters are like that, this may be true, but the majority are and you will be putting your head in the sand if you try denying it.
So how can we or I help, young people need leadership and role models at present they are getting the wrong ones. It no point me at 56 years of age saying “very naughty you are ruining your lives, I would be laughed at. One way to change things is to introduce Judo back into schools! Well I would say that considering for 51 years I been practising or promoting Judo but please read on, Judo can offer the following:
1) Discipline not just one enforced on you by the teacher but one where if you are not disciplined you either get hurt or you hurt someone i.e. self discipline and young people will need that if they are to deal with all the pitfalls in life.
2) Fitness as you start to improve you see how much fitness plays a part in that advancement. You start to realise that drinking, smoking, drugs, fast food etc can dilapidate your performance, you may not stop in Judo all your life but that lesson will be with you forever. This a practical way of learning about health and hygiene a far better learning base then theory
3) Competition yes competition are rather un politically correct phraseology but life is about competing, youngsters are taught that if they try hard enough, they get what they want, this is not true as most of us become an also ran. Judo competitions can help you cope with defeat (failure) it can become a positive aspect rather then a negative one i.e. I will train harder to become better next time surely it is the duty of us all to try and continually improve but at the same time be pragmatic in knowing when you have achieved something.
4) “It is not the winning but the taking part” nearly every competitor will tell you that this is a defeatist attitude as everyone wants to win. “Untrue” sometime you enter an event to experience the feeling of competition, or to enter a higher standard not yet within your grasp or because other members of your club have entered and you want to feel a part of the group and help contribute to it. These are qualities young people desperately need.
5) Most Judo is done in a club where there are people of all ages, sexes and race participating. Judo has two unique features 1) It is a discipline which has many aspects that allows people from a very young age to very mature age to be able to participate 2) Once you put on your Judogi (Judo costume) you become a Judoka (Judo player) you have a mutual respect for each other all other issues, race, religion, politics etc are no longer relevant.
6) Judo reward those who work hard and improve themselves through the Belt Ranking System (Grading) this help young people to understand that you need to work to improve yourself.
I hope my letter encourages you to consider putting Judo on your curriculum if so please do not hesitate in contacting me.
Yours Faithfully
Martin Clarke 8th Dan
Judo in reality is not a mere sport or game. I regard it as a principle of life, art, and science. In fact, it is a means for personal cultural attainment
Jigaro Kano founder of Judo