About us

I hope that the following information about our judo club will be useful to you. My name is Dionne Pearson and I have been doing Judo for over 30 years.

From time to time, I will be assisted by Sensei Amanda and Sensei Jay who both have a lot of experience. The Club Secretary is Carole-Jayne Cox who has been involved with Stantonbury Judo Club for over 33 years.

Everyone in the club gives their time freely as volunteers and no-one gets paid so any help is always welcomed especially at the beginning of any session helping put the mats out, it shouldn’t be left for the coach to do. Remember the quicker the mats are put out the more Judo time the children will have.

The club has been running for over 35 years. It started originally in Stantonbury Leisure Centre before moving to its current location in Wolverton over 20 years ago.

Due to the number of children in a class, the clubs are run in a very strict and disciplined way, so that the children can enjoy themselves without getting hurt. We don't have many rules, but those that we do have must be strictly adhered to, since all of them are for the wellbeing and safety of each child. The children will not need to remember our names, as they will call us all SENSEI, meaning teacher.

Rules - General

1. Children must never practice or demonstrate their judo outside of the dojo (judo hall). Anyone found to be breaking this rule, will be asked to leave the club immediately.
2. Students must be respectful and courteous to everyone, and always help and look after their partner
3. Bad language will not be tolerated either on or off of the mat
4. If children are injured or are not well enough to actually take part in a lesson, they may sit and watch - they still learn by watching.
5. Judogi should not be worn to the sessions. Change when you get here not before.

Personal Etiquette

1. Only clean bodies and judogi (clothing) are allowed on the tatami (judo mats).
2. Either a Judo Suit or loose fitting clothing should be worn. (E.g. Track or Jogging Suit - no belts/buckles, and preferably older clothes)
3. Nothing should be worn under the Jacket (males only) or on the feet, when on the tatami, unless otherwise agreed by the Sensei.
4. A clean pair of Flip-Flops or Slippers should be brought to change into before going to the edge of the tatami.
5. No Jewelry is allowed on the tatami.
6. Long hair should be tied back.
7. Toe and fingernails should be kept short and clean.
8. Any injury or sickness should be mentioned to Sensei before going onto the mat.

Gradings

Gradings take place twice a year in the club

INTER-CLUB COMPETITION

Each summer we hold an inter-club competition which is held between our club and a few other clubs which Senseis Christine and Mick have connections with. It is held in the form of a league which is where everyone stands in height order and is then put into a team. This way the students fight other contestants around the same size as themselves although they may be different grades. Trophies are then awarded to the teams at the end of the competition. It is a very fun way of introducing children to fighting others from outside their own clubs. It is the next step up from fighting children in this club but done in a fun way.

CHAMPIONSHIPS

A Championship is quite a serious competition, and usually, children have been doing judo for a few terms before entering. They are individual competitions organised in weight groups. Usually, Gold, Silver and two Bronze medals are given out in each weight group.

JUDO SUITS

After your child has been doing judo for a short while, it is better if they can wear a judo suit. They can be bought through the club and are sold by their height (head to toe, in cms.) Children's suits come complete with a white belt. Please ask for the current price. They usually work out a lot cheaper than if you were to buy them from a sports shop. We also sell coloured belts and occasionally Zoris (Japanese sandals)

INTERNET

The Bushido Zazen has its own web page. Its address is:

https://www.bushido-zazen.co.uk.

You can look up information about forthcoming events and what's happening within the organization. Why not log on and give it a go.

Club Website https://www.stantonburyjudoclub.co.uk Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StantonburyJudoClub/