|
OLYMPICS 2012 For many of us their were doubts about the possibility of the Olympics being held in London, now the decision has been made all of us must get behind the British Olympic movement to make the 2012 Olympics the one to remember for ever. You will hear over the coming years the benefits that sport gives to young people but we must also remind ourselves that people of all ages can engage and enjoy sport. Over recent years interest in the Olympics has waned with most being armchair critics, with this magnificent sports extravaganza being held in London lets all us try get involved. Get those mothballed tracksuits, shorts, football boots, hockey sticks Judogi’s out and get involved and feel part of the sporting fraternity. When we se an Olympic champion we see this massive icon holding the Union Flag but remember they started in such a place as Sittingbourne in the local club everyone of them champions had to start somewhere. My own club the Young Judo Club (Sittingbourne Judo) was started in 1957 by my father and mother John (Nobby) Clarke 6th Dan and Margret Clarke 4th Dan both sorry to say deceased, over the years the club has become the most successful club in Kent next to the Judo Centre of Excellence Dartford. In those years the club has trained from raw beginner to International champion thousands of pupils, my own successes culminating in 1980 Olympic Judo Squad member (I was a reserve) World Master’s Judo Champion 2001 and 8th Dan is proof of what can be done if you get the right help and right facilities. Apart from myself the club has had many National and International champions, interesting enough Alan Roberts 6th Coach for Dartford and one of the UK’s most successful coaches who has trained many Olympians was originally trained by my father Nobby and he used to run a Young Judo Club in Bexley he also designed our club badge, the YJC has most certainly left a mark on British Judo. The club will be having a major revamp in 2006 with the YJC being one of only a few permanent Dojo’s in Kent we will be able to offer a 24 hour service to competitors and Coaches, nearer 2012 we will be able to offer the club premises as a warm up area for international teams who will be staying in the UK. I foresee our role at the club with regards to the Olympics as a feeder club for the Judo “Centre of Excellence” at Dartford; the YJC has over 15 top quality coaches a lot with international experience. So to all those youngsters out there who want to be Olympian or to those who just want enjoy themselves try “Olympic Judo” the YJC can help you make it. Contact Keith Costa 01795 426784, Hotline 0906 201 1403, www.sittingbournejudo.co.uk, sombo@blueyonder.co.uk Martin Clarke 8th Dan |
|