Grant aid for Sully Judo Club (From Barry And District News)

Grant aid for Sully Judo Club

The Budokan Judo club moved to Sully from Penarth late in 2001 and took over the old St John the Baptist church hall in Hayes Lane, Sully.

The hall at that time was quite run down and needed a lot of restoration work before it was suitable to be used in any form. After much hard work and commitment from the senior membership and patience by the junior members who followed the club to its new venue the club was opened 3 months later, the main practice area was provided by an old fashioned canvass covered foam mat.

This has now been changed to a permanently laid modern mat area which measures 7mtrs x 13mtrs. The purchase of the mats was made possible by a Sportslot grant and a contribution from club funds.

Everyone at the club would like to give a special thanks to Paul Nanji of the Vale sports development team, Allan Jones of the Welsh Judo Association and all at the Sports council for Wales for their help and support with the Sportslot application and making the grant possible.

The club is a non-profit making organisation and consequently has its members' interests at heart. Ian Evans the club secretary and coach to the senior membership pointed out the virtue of this, "Everyone pools their resources. No-one takes any money out and everything goes back into the club for the benefit of the youngsters".

The club has 40 junior members and about 20 senior members who help with coaching and organisation and has recently amalgamated with the YMCA Busen Judo Club with the benefit of consolidating our coaching staff with the welcome addition of Miss Beryl Cooke, 5th Dan. The club are confident that the splendid new facilities will lead to an influx of youngsters keen to take up the sport and are eager to welcome local juniors and seniors who wish to try out Judo or return to the sport.

The coaching at the club is excellent and there are now 6 qualified and experienced coaches who supervise the sessions throughout the week. The juniors are particularly fortunate to be coached by Miss Beryl Cooke 5th Dan, Mr. Mike Howell 3rd Dan, Mr. Paul Hutton 1st Dan and Mr. Geoff Shaw 1st Dan. The senior sessions are conducted by Mr. Ian Evans 5th Dan and Mr. Rhys Hudson 4th Dan.

The club is of course much more than just a building where people with a common interest meet, it is the people themselves. The man behind the Budokan success story is Mr. Rhys Hudson, a quantity surveyor who is a competitive 4th Dan. In the words of Mr. Chris Rees, club treasurer and 3rd Dan, "It is fair to say that without his knowledge, grit and love of Judo the club would never have developed into what it is today".

Under the guidance of Rhys Hudson the club has gone from strength to strength and enjoyed several successes through the junior and senior members. This success was highlighted when at this year's Welsh Area BJC National Championships at Cogan Leisure Centre; the club was awarded the John Heppenstall Memorial Trophy for gaining the most points which are allocated to the medal winners. This trophy was donated by Dow Corning in 1991 and was presented by Miss Beryl Cooke, 5th Dan and Area Technical Officer to the BJC to Rhys Hudson, 4th Dan, both being former students of the late Sensei John Heppenstall, 6th Dan.

The club coaches would like to thank the following medal winners whose efforts have resulted in the winning of this most prestigious award:

Primary Girls: U25 Briana Gough Silver; 025 Rebecca Rumsam Silver

Primary Boys: U25 Joseph Hudson Silver, Owen Williams Bronze.

U30 Kiaffer Singh Gold; Joe Ingram Bronze.

O30 Geraint Dudley Gold, Thomas Downey Bronze.

Junior Girls U35 Bronwen Harries Busen Gold; Rhianedd Dancey Silver; Kamara Bristow Bronze.

U45 Rochelle Gough Sillver.

O55 Rebecca Evans Silver.

Junior Boys U35 Fearghus Gough Gold; Joshua Wilson Bronze.

U45 Lee Bezant Silver; U55 Steven Broad; Jamie Luxmore Bronze.

O55 Gareth Thomas Busen Bronze ; Rhys Williams Bronze

Ladies KYU Grade Open: Loraine Gittins Gold

Male DAN Grade Open: Rhys Hudson Silver.

Together with Judo, Sully Budokan also hosts one of the area's premiere Aikido clubs, Cardiff Shobukan Dojos which is organised by Peter Gillard 5th Dan (British Aikido Federation). Aikido is a form of self-defence that does not require physical strength and, therefore, can be practised equally by everyone, regardless of age or physical condition. Aikido is one of the most subtle and graceful martial arts, so if it's self-defence or a way to get and keep fit, come along and give aikido a chance.

If you would like to try out the Olympic sport and martial art of Judo or Aikido, in a safe and friendly environment come along to one of the following sessions:

Judo: Every Tuesday and Thursday: Juniors 7 - 8 pm. Seniors 8 - 9.30 pm.

Aikido: Monday 8.00 - 9.30 pm.

Alternatively telephone: Judo - Ian Evans 01656 648184; Mike Howell 01446 410067 Aikido - Peter Gillard 07710 526257.