Recent news articles

Information flyer for the upcoming QLD Open is attached. Note weigh-ins are the night before each competition day. Note also that nominated weight on the entry form is indicative.You can change weight divisions at the weigh-in. New age categories will be used as was the case for the ACT Open.
The entry forms and fees are due with the QLD competition management on 21st March. We're encouraging forms and payment to be made before 4th March. However, we will take entries on the first session after we return to training (ie 18th March for Junior and Senior sessions) and will post the club's entries with a club cheque to QLD on 19th March. Please don't bring forms and money on 4th or 16th March as we will be busy with the moving out / in respectively.

Don't forget to put your names up for volunteering duties ASAP for the State Titles coming up next weekend. Refer email below from Patrick Waite (fwaite6@hotmail.com). We need 4-5 volunteers over the comp weekend to reasonably cover our quota.

Roles on Saturday 7 March 2010
U14s Official Weigh in - 2.00pm - 2.30pm
Cadet Official Weigh in - 2.45pm - 3.15pm (Cadets compete on Sunday 8 March)
Scorers/Timers - from 2.30pm - 4.30pm (aaprox)
Fight Progression - from 2.30pm - 4.30pm (approx)

Roles on Sunday 8 March 2010
Official Weigh in - 8.30am to 9.00am
Cadet competition begins at 8.30am
Entry Door - from 8.15am
Scorers/Timers - from 8.30am - 12.00pm / 12.00pm - 2.30pm
Fight Progression - from 8.30am - 12.00pm / 12.00pm - 2.30pm
Ushers and Runners also required.
Patrick; 0402 216 097

The following Budokan athletes trialed for selection to the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) sponsored National Talent Identification & Development (NTID) Squad over the weekend: Vanessa Hall, Jake Young and Nathan Katz. Naomi de Bruine also attended on Saturday to participate in the testing. Congratulations to these fine young athletes for putting in a big effort through a number of gruelling tests covering fitness, agility, speed and technical capacity. Similar tests are being carried out by the NTID Coordinator around Australia and a small group of about 30 will be invited to a week-long camp at the AIS in Canberra during the next school holidays. The next intake of NTID Squad athletes (about 20) will be determined from this camp. We wish you well in your endeavour guys - good luck for your selection.

Well it seems that the time has come for Jake the Hickey to depart on his mission of good-will and adventure into the land of the high cold mountains and very fit natives who carry houses on their backs for veritable kilometres through the thinnest of air and over treacherously steep and jagged mountains camouflaged with semi-frozen rivers .......

His aim (you might well ask)? To bring a Hickey smile to those who have the pleasure of encountering his generous soul, and of course to start "Budokan Katmandu" and give new meaning to "Judo attitude with altitude"

Jake the Hickey's last session for some months will be tomorrow night (25th Feb) and I think this is deserving of some light refreshments after what will have to be a significantly gruelling session so that the memories lay strong in his mind for the duration of the adventure.

Make the effort. Train hard. BYO lemonade! Just be there! JUstDOit!!

Well done to the Budokan Juniors who competed in the second State Team Selection competition yesterday in very warm conditions at the Judo 'igloo' at Olympic Park. This was the last competition encompassing the now outdated age categories (U/13s and U/16s). With Maddison Lane ill and Kyle McIndoe and Naomi de Bruine injured, our numbers participating were 13 athletes playing in 16 divisions. Our juniors played very well to win 5 divisions, place 2nd in 5 divisions, and receive another 6 minor placings. This level of participation is really fantastic. Individual results follow:

Girls U/13s
U/32kg Katelyn Boyd 2nd
U/36kg Kendall Lane 1st
U/40kg Kendall Lane 1st

Boys Under 13s
U/34kg
Lachlan Brothers 7th
Kiernan Tafft 5th

U/38kg
Josh Katz 1st
Kurt Kazangi 5th

U/46kg Cameron Leishman 1st

Girls U/16s
U/52kg Amber McIndoe 4th
U/70kg Jessica Klajman 1st (uncontested)
O/70 Jessica Klajman 2nd

Boys U/16s
U/42kg Josh Katz 2nd
U/46kg Cameron Leishman 2nd

U/55kg
Nathan Katz 1st
Aidan Sandri 4th

U/66kg Jakob Edwards 2nd
U/73kg Hamish McDougall 4th

Well done guys!!

Martin Segers, a former Belgium international player (in the late 60s & 70s), former European Bronze medallist, will be visiting Budokan this Thursday 4th Feb 10. We will try to get him there for Juniors and Seniors. Please try and make training that night.

This is also the 2nd State Team Selection event for the 2010 Nationals for Junior and Senior Men and Women. You should compete in this event even if not intending to play in the Nationals.

Extra Training - Seniors As indicated last year, Seniors will be participating in more randori sessions at other clubs this year. This is important for those interested in improving their competitiveness.
The extra session of randori will commence from this Saturday 23rd January, when Budokan Seniors will be training at Sydney Uni Judo Club. This will occur for each subsequent Satuday as advised at Budokan training during the week beforehand. If in doubt call Rob.
Time: 3.30pm - 5.00pm Venue: Sydney University Judo Club, HK Ward Gym (upstairs).
Enter via Parramatta Rd opposite Ross St, walk around the oval (right/west side).
Gym is located between Oval 1 and 2 on the west side. Park on Parramatta Rd. There is time-limited ticket parking within the Uni. Map reference is http://db.auth.usyd.edu.au/directories/map/largemap00a.html
If you get lost, call Rob 0411409632

Budokan is having a DVD night at the club to watch the DVD of our athletes at the Nationals. This is a great opportunity for everyone to review their performance, watch the fights of their clubmates that they may have missed and to scoff down pizza.

BYO drinks and snacks.
Club  will provide pizzas.

Congratulations to Andras and Fran Koltai on the recent birth of baby girl Maya, a new addition to the Koltai family and to the U/10s Wednesday night session in 5 years time.

Setup on Saturday is at 3.00pm. Older Juniors, Seniors and parents to assist wherever possible on Saturday but in particular on Sunday - a great way to learn how to run a competition and contribute to your club. Instructions for Front Door Entry Control, Weigh-Ins, and Scoring/Timing are attached. Hard-copies will be available Thursday night, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.  

 
A Committee meeting held a couple of weeks ago recommended Dana and Donna for Front Door Entry control, Vanessa/Ashley/Jessica to control Girls Weigh-In, Jake Y/Aidan for Boys Weigh-In, Naomi, Josh, Cameron, Kendall, Madison and other older Juniors and seniors for Scoring/Timing, Don McD with Jakob and Conor for Athlete Call-To-Mat; Greg Tafft/Kevin Schmitz and any other available seniors and parents for BBQ,  U/10s parents to assist in the kitchen for food/drink sales, all athletes who competed at the Nationals or have represented Australia this year to act as trophy presenters. Committee Members have roles on the day. Come and help showcase Budokan to the rest of NSW by supporting the Budokan-hosted MONSters competition!

Entries close at the JFA Office on 28 August. The club will accept entries until next Tuesday 25 August, after which athletes will be responsible for their own registration.

Budokan Judo Club had another outstanding National Championships last weekend. Results and comments are below. In time, we will collate more details on individual performances and put together a DVD of the event, as we did last year. If anyone has photos of our guys in action please forward them to me. We will have a photo session at the club soon for all participants.

The club had a few new starters to the Nationals this year and a number playing in new age and weight categories. The junior categories are very dynamic and every year many athletes have to cope with the adjustment to their new weight and age categories. As far as Kerrye and I are concerned, some of the Silver medals could easily have been Gold, but the results again show that there is significant depth and consistency in the club which is very motivating and humbling.

Commentary

• 19 athletes (compared to 18 athletes in 2008) competed in 23 divisions
• 13 athletes won matches (compared to 14 athletes in 2008)
• 8 athletes won 11 medals (compared to 11 winning 13 medals in 2008)
• Of the 19 athletes, 12 competed in the 2008 Nationals and of these 7 medalled and 2 obtained a 5th place (ie competed for Bronze medal) this year
• 7 athletes (compared to 5 in 2008) were selected to play in 2 age divisions each
• 4 athletes competed in 2 divisions with 2 athletes medalling in both (as for 2008) (Cameron Leishman - Silver , Bronze; Josh Katz - 2 x Bronze, Vanessa Hall - Silver, 5th; Shaun McDougall - Silver - 7th)
• 6 athletes competed in their first Nationals, compared to 4 in 2008 (Kendall & Madison Lane, Conor & Jakob Edwards, Ashley de Bruine & Simmy Waraich)
• Of these 6 athletes, 2 medalled (compared to 3 in 2008) and 1 fought for Bronze (Kendal Lane - Silver, Ashley de Bruine - Bronze, Conor Edwards - 5th)
• 3 first time medallists at Nationals (compared to 5 in 2008) – (Vanessa Hall and Kendall Lane - Silver, Ashley de Bruine – Bronze)
• 2008 U/13 medallists Aidan Sandri (3rd), Karen Da Silva (1st), and Naomi de Bruine (1st) moved up to U/16 in 2009 with Naomi claiming her first U/16 medal (Bronze)
• 2 athletes won medals in their first Nationals (Kendall Lane - Silver, Ashley de Bruine - Bronze)
• 6 sets of siblings competed (compared to 4 sets in 2008): Lanes, Da Silvas, Katz’s, Edwards, de Bruines, and McDougalls
• This year we had 3 Gold, 1 Silver, and 6 Bronze medallists (from 2008 Nationals) competing as well as 1 x 5th, and 2 x 7th place-getters from the 2008 Nationals
• Nathan Katz has now won 3 Gold medals at Nationals, and his first U/16 National Title. This equals Karen Da Silva's 3 Gold medals whilst Kevin Da Silva holds 4 National titles.
• Shaun McDougall, Silver medallist 2006, Gold medallist 2007, and injured in 2008, first time medalled in the Junior Men category with a Silver medal
• Vanessa Hall improved on her 2008 7th place in U/16 with a Silver medal and also fought for Bronze in her first Junior Women's event
• Kevin Da Silva consolidated his 2008 Junior Men's Bronze medal with another Bronze in Junior Men this year
• Arguably, both the decision in Kendall Lane's final in Golden Score should have gone to her, and a lack of consistency regarding the leg grab rule in Josh Katz's second match in U/13 cost him a place in the final
• Naomi de Bruine improved on her 2008 5th place in U/16 for a Bronze medal, and Jessica Klajman improved on her 2008 7th by fighting for Bronze, sadly against clubmate Naomi
• Repeating his 2007 U/73kg performance of 3 wins and 2 losses, Patrick Waite only narrowly missed a Bronze medal in the 27 athlete strong U/81 men's division, for his third senior Men's 5th place
• The elbow injury suffered by Jake Young, 2008 dual Bronze medallist (Junior & Senior Men) prior to QLD Open, cost him adequate preparation and a medal this year
• This was the first competition that Simmy Waraich has played at her new weight of U/57kg. Both matches went to Golden Score so there is little doubt she will be amongst the medals in the future.
• This was the first National competition in which Aidan Sandri and Karen Da Silva competed in the U/16s category, and for Hamish McDougall in the U/66kg division. Together with Madison Lane, and Conor and Jakob Edwards, whilst there were no medals, their tenacity and efforts were commendable.
• Again, the ever competitive Dale competed in the National Kata event and showing her dominance in Kata, won a Silver in Ju-No-Kata and a Bronze in Katame-No-Kata
• All our athletes prepared with dedication and maturity for this competition. Their commitment is unquestioned and whilst some may not have achieved the result that they desired this year, the experience of this Nationals will be of enormous benefit to all of them in subsequent competitions including next year's Nationals in Brisbane.
• Congratulations to Patrick Waite Snr who won the JFA Inc. Volunteer of the year Award for NSW.
• As always, we had an enormously strong support group of parents and club athletes. The spirit of Budokan was never stronger, an example being the whole club hanging around after Saturday's competition to watch Dale compete in the Kata events. There was an hour delay and the competition took 2 hours but we stayed to the end, along with a couple of Tasmanian supporters.
• In the 8 National Championships in which Budokan has been represented since 2002, 135 of our athletes have competed in 166 divisions and achieved 102 medals: 39 Gold, 19 Silver, and 44 Bronze medals, plus 26 x 5th, 18 x 7th, and 5 x 9th placings.
   

Results

Special Thanks

A special thanks to Donna for arranging the accommodation at the Sundowner where most of the club stayed, to Marcel for manning the DVD camera to capture the event, to Kirsten McDougall and Karen Leake for managing the NSW Team, to Dale for assisting Kerrye and I with coaching the club's athletes over the 3 days, to Kerrye for taking on the role as Junior Team Coach, to Andras and Jen for supporting the athletes over the weekend, and to all the parents for being so supportive and positive about their children and their performances.

Congratulations also to Patrick Waite Snr who won the JFA Inc Volunteer of the Year Award for NSW.

Once the attached form is completed, recommend you keep a copy and take the completed original to the first State Squad Training session (For Junior Men/Women and Seniors 22nd April; for Juniors U/16 and U/13 27th April).

Any doubts about completing the form, see Kerrye or Rob.

Form is attached below.
 

As part of his commitment to the NTID Squad in the last 12 months, Jake Young has been selected for an NTID camp in Japan from 25th June to 9th July. Congratulations Jake for selection to train in Japan and for your commitment to the NTID Squad over the past 12 months

Please note that the competition scheduled for Sunday 19th April at Blacktown PCYC Club has been cancelled.

This was a great preparation for those competing at the Nationals in June, with clubs from most Australian States as well as NZ and Hong Kong participating. Congratulations to all Budokan athletes who competed. Again, you did us proud putting in everything you had.
There was some tension regarding rule interpretation and the lack of penalties (for defensive play and grabbing trousers) to athletes competing against our guys which certainly cost us a couple of higher medals. The competition was run well with few delays.17 athletes played 24 divisions, Results attached.

Thank you to Marcel de Bruine for patiently videoing our guy's matches for us to review (and also to Don and Josh for Sunday afternoon's videoing). Thanks also to Anna Da Silva for arranging the accommodation and the dinner on Saturday night which is a great tension reliever. Thanks also to all the parents for their positive support during the competition which is always valued. Finally well done to all our athletes.

We wish you all well in the upcoming Nationals campaign.

Results Summary:
4 x 1st; 6 x 2nd; 4 x 3rd; 1 x 4th; 2 x 5th

All that remains for the hall rebuild is to bring back the remaining chairs, crash mats, podium, carpet, etc stored at Snoek's house on Sunday 29th at 9.00am. So far, we have Pete and Nik Zellner, Max Hale and Rob K. A couple more people would be really helpful so that we can also make a start on the posters and flags.

As there is no club training at Budokan this week, we have arranged a training session on Saturday 21st March for seniors (which includes competition players 14 years old Blue Belts and above) at ZenBu Judo Club as follows:

10.00am Terry Hills Dojo, 3 Myoora Place, Terry Hills (opposite the Bonsai place)

There is no cost to Budokan members. Please let Rob know if interested, so numbers and approx. age breakdown can be passed to Zen Bu.

In the future, we will arrange sessions from time to time at Sydney Uni (Saturday afternoon), UNSW (Saturday morning) and Zen Bu for extra training.

View Larger Map

We have recieved advice that it is illegal to park around the North Hall at Homebush for the competition this weekend.

On-street parking is available near the venue.  Parking is also available in P1 and P6 (along Australia Ave) for $4 per hour or a maximum $20 per day.

Please be aware that Rangers will be patrolling the venue.

View Larger Map

Congratulations to all Budokan athletes who competed in the ACT International Open last weekend.

Overall our 17 athletes competed in 21 divisions with the following results:
1st x 4; 2nd x 3; 3rd x 4; 4th x 1; 5th x 4.

In summary, Budokan had a number of U/13 year old athletes playing U/16s as there was no lower age limit for this event. They played very well with some good wins. We also had a number of U/16 junior girls playing U/20 junior women also with some good wins there, and some junior men playing senior men gaining valuable experience and establishing their potential future for senior national team selection.

The ACT Open is also the first of 2 national team selection events for the Junior World Championships. We had a number of athletes who medalled in these divisions. If their performance is consistent at the National Championships in June, then they are in contention for selection to the Junior Worlds later this year.

This is very encouraging considering a number of our athletes competed for the first time in new weight and age divisions. The athletes gaining minor placings or being unplaced in no way reflects the great matches they played and the fighting spirit displayed. Sometimes it's the luck of the draw - in a large division, if you only just lose to someone who then loses his next match to (say) an Olympic representative, that can put you out of the opportunity to go into the repechage knock-out pool for a chance at a bronze medal.

Our coaching support was solid with Kerrye, Rob and Dale looking after our athletes on 2 mat areas and our club families were as always very encouraging and supportive. Saturday's performance was rewarded with over 20 pizzas and numerous beverages around the pool at our accommodation. Thanks to our athletes for giving 100%, Marcel and Naomi for manning the Camcorder, Donna for arranging the accommodation, and everyone for supporting a great show from our athletes!

 Results

Thank you so much for all those who took on the mat scrubbing challenge last Sunday. We had a very enthusiastic crowd of over 20 people including Sean and Dana Brothers, Mark Stewart, Donna Young, Brian Medbury, John and Aidan Sandri, Patrick Snr, Patrick Jnr and Rory Waite, John and Kevin Da Silva, Don, Shaun, and Hamish McDougall, Peter and Nik Zellner, Dale Keogh, Max Hale, Rob Katz, plus Bill Haines, Simon Farnsworth, Scott, and Akiko from Aikido and BJJ.

Thanks also to Sean and Don who organised the event. We learned some lessons for next time regarding sequence of cleaning, replacing the contents of buckets, and the number of post-scrubbing moppers, but overall we got a good result in only 2 hours. We have also decided to repeat the exercise after the Nationals in June/July and then again in Jan 2010 to keep the mats as clean as possible.

There is no easy way to clean the mats and the large turnout is really appreciated. Now we just jave to keep educating all athletes to wear sandals/thongs on leaving the mat for any reason, to have clean bare feet when walking onto the mat, and to wear clean washed Gis.

This document describes both the expectation on athletes seeking to represent NSW at the 2009 National Judo titles and the process to be followed in the selection of teams to represent NSW at the annual JFA National Championships. It is applicable to all members of the JFA (NSW) Inc.

• Medal in a minimum of 2 out of the 3 selection tournaments.
• Participate in the Technical Skills Session.
• Participate in the State Team Training Camp.
• Attend a minimum of 75% of squad training sessions. (Or in the event of Country athletes, attend 75% of Saturday sessions)
• Complete and forward the requested information and payments within the specified time frames.
• NSW Team Coaches and Managers will coordinate the training programme, record athlete attendance and recommend athletes for inclusion on the team using the 2009 Selection Criteria.
• In the case of exceptional circumstances, the onus is on the athlete to clearly document the circumstances in writing prior to commencement of squad training so that due consideration can be given to the situation.
• Based on recommendations from the State Coaching Coordinator, the NSW BOM finalise the list of members of the State Team.

• An athlete will be eligible for selection by gaining 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd in at least 2 of the 3 selections in the weight and age category chosen to participate in the Nationals.
  
  Selection Tournament dates for 2009 are:
   

• The JFA Inc. Sporting Code will apply for all NSW selection events.
   
•  The following Age Category restrictions will apply at all events:
  • Yonen competitors entering Shonen divisions must be 11 years old and 2nd Kyu on the day of the selection tournament. If successful in gaining state selection, they must be graded to 1st Kyu before participating in the Nationals and compete as a Shonen 3rd Kyu. (and therefore 12 years old).

    Due to these younger players “growth spurts”, weight categories will be agreed through discussion with player, parent (or guardian) and the relevant state coach during their squad-training period

    
     
  • Shonen competitors entering Junior Men/Women or Senior Men/Women divisions must be minimum 14 years old and 2nd Kyu on the day of the tournament.

    They may also be eligible for selection to the Junior Men/Women or the Senior Men/Women divisions only if they are graded to 1st Kyu (and therefore 15 years old), or Seinen (senior) 3rd Kyu (and therefore 16 years old), by the date of the Nationals. In these cases, athletes must compete in the divisions for which they are seeking selection.

• Seeding of athletes at Selection Competitions will be the responsibility of the relevant coach or representative of the NSW Athlete Support Team for selection events.

•  The Tournament Manager will oversee the process and arbitrate if necessary. If the relevant coach or representative of the NSW Athlete Support Team are not available then the Tournament Manager will take responsibility for this process.

• State squad sessions commence on Monday 20 April 2009.
• Squad sessions will run 3 times per week;
  
  • Please note, under 13 players will be required to attend at least one session per week at Junior Squad for the 7 week period leading up to the National Titles.
• To be included on the final state team for the 2009 nationals, athletes must attend a minimum of 75% of squad training sessions.
  
  • The 75% is in addition to the Technical Skills Session and State Training Camp which are compulsory.
  • Athletes living in NSW, outside a 100km radius of the Sydney GPO, may negotiate with the Coaching Coordinator, a suitable athlete training program, but are expected at 75% of weekend squad training sessions.
• State coaches will record athletes’ attendance at squad.
• A medical certificate provided by a doctor, stating the athlete’s fitness for squad training, is to be submitted to the relevant state coach by the first state squad training session attended.
• Club coaches are encouraged to attend sessions with their athletes and assist on the mat under the direction of the State Coaching Team. The State Coaching Team will be responsible for coaching NSW athletes at the National Championships.

• Injuries
  
  • A doctor’s certificate must be provided in the event of an injury preventing full participation at state squad training sessions.
  • If an injury is substantiated, the expectation is that the athlete participates within the constraints of the injury.
  • If the state coach believes that further medical opinion is needed from the nominated medical personnel, then the player concerned shall attend at their own expense.
  • In case of injury, the attendance criteria must still be met.
• Exceptional circumstance
  
  • It is acknowledged that adverse situations sometimes arise that impact on training commitments. To be fair and consistent for all, it is expected that the athlete communicate the circumstance formally, prior to the commencement of squad training or at the earliest opportunity, to the State Coaching Coordinator for consideration.

• Each country region may apply for a regional base training centre to support their athletes in preparation for the Nationals.
• The selection criteria in relation to squad training attendance must still be met by regional athletes. That is, regional athletes, even when training with regional squads, must still attend at least 75% of weekend squad training sessions with the main squad.

• Failure to complete or provide any requested documentation and associated fees by the due dates will result in the athlete being withdrawn from the state team.

• If an athlete has paid and then has to withdraw due to injury or exceptional circumstance prior to 11 May 2009, a full reimbursement will be provided by JFA (NSW) Inc. within a reasonable time frame.

• If an athlete has paid and has to withdraw, or fails to meet the 2009 State Selection Criteria and is withdrawn after 11 May 2009, reimbursement will made within a reasonable time frame, minus the entry fee cost and a $40.00 administration fee, by the JFA (NSW) Inc.

• If, via exceptional circumstance, an athlete is included in the state team after 10 May 2009, the athlete will be responsible for paying the late entry fee imposed by the JFA Inc.

• Athletes training or competing overseas will be granted exemption from NSW selection criteria 2009, for the duration of the time overseas provided that prior written permission has been sought from the State Coaching Coordinator.

• Athletes who are current senior national champions have automatic entry to the 2009 JFA Inc. National Championships.

• State Tracksuits. Only official members of the NSW team are permitted to wear the state tracksuit. Team members (athletes and officials) must wear their state tracksuits to, from and during the competition. It is mandatory that all selected players wear a current state tracksuit.

• JFA Inc. athletes from other states and territories may participate in the three selection events.

• Exemptions to the Selection Criteria are at the absolute discretion of the State Coaching Coordinator.
• The State Coaching Coordinator will submit the list of members of the state team to the NSW BOM for approval.

December 2008 – January 2009 and beyond
Also keep an eye on our events calendar
 

Budokan had a great start to the 2009 Nationals campaign with 21 athletes competing in 29 divisions at the first NSW Team selections and a final total of 22 medals.

First NSW State Team Selection for 2009 Nationals

Congratulations to Jake Young, Jarrod Cooper, Max Hale, Shaun McDougall, and Kevin Da Silva who participated in both the first and the second Kata Course held at the club over the last few weeks. Congratulations to Mickael Gieules and Alex Snoek who participated in the first course and to Jennifer Purcell who participated in the second course. All up we spent over 8 hours on the mat. Thanks to Dale and to John Da Silva for your assistance during the courses.

As a result, Jake, Jarrod, and Max have been graded to senior Brown Belt, and Shaun to senior Blue Belt. Kevin has passed his Kata and is well on the way to fast-tracking his senior grades when he turns 16 later in the year. Alex and Mickael are well on their way to their senior Blue Belts and Jennifer to Sho Dan (Black Belt) at next year's State Grading.