Budokan has achieved many firsts in 2001. A look at the club's growth and competitiveness over the last 12 months is quite staggering. Some highlights are:

• We are now an incorporated club, with a Constitution, an active Committee and 7 Sub-Committees
  
  
• We have a Club Information Kit
  
  
• For the first time a club member has become National Champion; but not just one: Patrick Waite won the Junior Nationals and Morgan Endicott-Davies, the Seniors, both their first National Titles
  
  
• For the first time the club has had National Team representatives in "A" level international events: Yvonne Mitchell, Julia Serrano, Frankie Serrano and Morgan Endicott-Davies; and we have a World Masters Games Champion in Dale Keogh
  
  
• The club has participated in everything from the first NSW U/10s "Mons"ter event, to the NSW International Open, to the Junior and Senior Nationals, to the senior World Championships
  
  
• We have had representation in a multitude of technical courses, National Training camps, and State and National Committees · we have run 5 gradings, approved nearly 50 promotions
  
  
• We have increased our membership by 2 1/2 times in 12 months
  
  
• We have performed a number of demonstrations · a number of Newspaper and magazine articles have been published
  
  
• We are merchandising Judogis, T Shirts, Key Rings and Judogi bags
  
  
• We have added a second Junior session to the weekly training schedule, and
  
  
• We established an open Elite Training session which has now converted to an official National Squad This training session is likely to remain at the club until Easter.

Congratulations to all of the people mentioned and to all of you who started Judo this year, to those of you who have been graded (many more than once), to those of you who have entered your first competition this year, and to all of you who have distinguished yourselves through a commitment to your sport and your club.

Thanks must go to coaches Rob, Kerrye and Barbara, and also to the assistance provided to the Junior session by Alexandra and Patrick Waite, and to the Senior Session by Dale Keogh. Thanks to Committee and Sub-Committee members, particularly David Hastings, Annette Finch, Di Pendlebury, Patrick Waite, and Don McDougall and to sponsors ECOLAB, Parrys Motorcycles, Trend Marking, Progressive Fitness, and the individual sponsors of Don McDougall, and Dale Keogh.

• Boys U13 U45Kg - James Duffy - 1^st; Rory Waite - 3^rd
  
  
• Girls U16 Over 70Kg - Jessica Malone - 1^st
  
  
• Women U20 U70kg - Janelle Shepherd - 2^nd
  
  
• Women U20 U70kg Alexandra Waite - 3^rd
  
  
• Men U20 U73kg - Jovan Pejic - 1^st (playing his first senior competition as an eligible junior)
  
  
• Men U20 U70kg - Nikola Pejic - 5^th (playing his first senior competition as eligible junior and 2 weight divisions higher)
  
  
• Senior Women U70kg - Janelle Shepherd - 1^st (outstanding effort as a 16 year old beating a blue belt and a black belt, for her first State title)
  
  
• Senior Women U70kg - Alexandra Waite - 4th

Julia Serrano (U48kg) has been selected to the National Women's Team, representing Australia in two prestigious events in December 2001: the Fukuoka Cup, (Japan 5-9 Dec) and the KRA Cup 2001 (Korea 10-16 Dec). This is the first time Julia has been selected in an International "A" event as a member of the national team. They are the same two events Yvonne Mitchell competed in December 2000.

Morgan Endicott-Davies (U81kg) has been selected to the National Men's Team to compete at the KRA Cup (Korea 10-16 Dec). Morgan is looking to back up his 5th place at the Pacific Rim (USA June 2001). This is his first selection to an international "A" event, having just missed selection for the World Championships last July. Morgan is still currently on schedule for Commonwealth Games selection.

Results next Newsletter.....

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The International Judo Federation (IJF) Executive Committee unanimously approved at its Executive Committee Meeting in Nabeul, Tunisia to award the IJF Medal of Merit in Bronze to four organizers of the Judo Competition of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games for their outstanding contributions and efforts to the success of the Judo Competition.

The four recipients of the IJF Medal of Merit in Bronze are:

1. Mr. John DEACON, IJF Olympic Commissioner and JFA Inc. President
2. Mr. Luis VAL, SOCOG Judo Competition Manager
3. Mr. John BUCKLEY, SOCOG, Technical Operations Manager
4. Mr. Rob Katz, SOCOG, Judo Sport Services Manager (Budokan President/Coach)

Unfortunately, Rob was not able to attend this seminar. He was presented his medal in front of his club-mates and students at a Budokan club dinner on Thursday 11th November 2001 by John Buckley, President JFA NSW Inc.

The IJF may award the IJF Medal of Merit for outstanding achievement in the development of a National Federation, organisation or institution. It may also be awarded to persons who have attained outstanding distinction in a national or international capacity, in an organisation or technical field associated with the IJF or a Continental Union. Only a handful have ever been awarded in Australia.

The 21st Universiades (World University Games) in Beijing, China - 23-27 August 2001

At the 21st Universiades in Beijing, China reversed the trend of low participation expected after a World Judo Championships. A total of 363 judokas from 66 member National Federations participated. This was the highest total of participants in a Universiades Judo Competition, and the total number of participants and National Federations in Judo trailed only slightly to Athletics. An amazing total of 10 Worlds medallists from the recent World Judo Championships in Munich, Germany held in August participated.

Frankie Serrano

competed on Sunday 26th August in the 60kg category, less than a month since he fought in the World Championships, this time drawing Algeria in the first round. Unfortunately, Frankie lost that match and the Algerian subsequently lost putting Frankie out of the competition. More valuable experience for our top light-weight. Frankie is now under pressure to perform well at the ACT Open to remain competitive for 2002 Commonwealth Games selection.

COACHES CORNER

Elite Training Activities
National Squad Training commenced on 24 October 2001 after Budokan trialed an Elite Squad training session over the previous ten weeks. Budokan and Kugatsu will be the venue for this training until the JFA NSW is able to move into the former Olympic venue at Homebush Bay, expected around Easter 2002. Training is Wednesdays 7.30-9.00pm at Budokan and 3.30-5.00pm at Kugatsu (UWS Milperra). Training resumes on Wednesday 16 January 2002 and on Saturday 19 January 2002. Session format is much the same as it was before being - "challenging". There is also a minimum attendance requirement for athletes wishing to be considered for selection to Senior Men's and Senior Women's State Teams to the 2002 Nationals. Sessions are co-ordinated by National Coaches Kerrye and Rob Katz (Wednesdays) and Terry Young and Angela Deacon (Saturdays). Wednesday sessions are fortunate to have assistance from Budokan life Vice-President Ivor Endicott-Davies (former NZ National Coach), Gary Manly (former State and National Women's Coach) and Rob Ivers (2000 Olympian). Notices on attending the session are on the Notice Board.

National Coaching
Kerrye attended meetings at the AIS prior to the National Training Camp in November, as a member of the JFA (Inc) Sports Science Advisory Committee (SSAC). Their role is to develop testing and athlete development protocols for the national team and potential team members. They work closely with the National Sports Commission.

International Coaching
To allow a greater focus on Club and State level Judo, Rob did not nominate for any National Coaching appointments in 2002, but will still coordinate the Wednesday National Squad sessions. This is a shame because he would have had a strong chance for Commonwealth Games Men's Coach. Kerrye has only nominated for Young Women's National Coach to the 2002 Oceania Championships and indications are that she will be appointed to that role. She also continues with Wednesday National Squad commitments.

Safety in the Dojo
The safety issue of young players and siblings playing on the gym equipment has been raised by the Coaches and the Committee. The age group 5 years to young teenage years has been particularly reckless on the trampoline and near the fixed benches and cabled beam stands. The Coaches and Committee have ruled that there is to be no playing on any equipment. While the coaches are instructing on the mat, it is difficult for them to control off-mat activity. The assistance of parents and associates is sought to prevent injury.

Attendance Register
Judokas are requested to ensure they sign the attendance sheet each session. This can influence coaches decision to allow Judokas to be graded, and in the determination of annual awards.

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Neatest most correct answers from a Budokan Junior received by the coaches on the 22nd January wins a prize!

PRESIDENT Rob Katz
VICE-PRESIDENT Guido Scholtz
VICE-PRESIDENT Don McDougall
SECRETARY David Hastings
TREASURER Kerrye Katz

COUNCILLOR Di Pendlebury
COUNCILLOR Julia Serrano
COUNCILLOR Patrick Waite
COUNCILLOR Barbara Stratford
COACHING CO-ORDINATORS: Rob & Kerrye Katz

CLUB LIFE VICE-PRESIDENTS:
Ivor Endicott-Davies
Dale Keogh

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Get Well:

It was nice to see Yvonne Mitchell at the club's annual Awards Night. Yvonne has been trying to overcome a back problem for the last couple of months. Having seen physios and specialists, she has kept busy trying to stay fit (swimming and gym) and also trying to keep her weight down. We wish her a speedy recovery and hope to see her back on the mat soon.