A number of events have been sorted out for the remainder of 2012:

June 3-5th Shochugieko, Sobell, London: This year’s event will be attended by Bruce Bethers, General Secretary of World Judo Federation and Paul Hoglund, European Vice President. A number of senior dan grade holders will also be in attendance at what it is hoped will become an annual event.

Aug 10-12th Borders Summer School, Innerleithen: the 11th of our annual Scottish get together. Instructors include Sampson Sampson, 6th Dan, technical Director JFA and Ferhid Namouchi, National Squad Coach and George Temperton, 5th Dan BJC.

Sept 8/9th: Level One JFA coaching course, Dundee.

Sept 22/23rd; Two day course, Newbiggin-by-the-sea, Northumberland. Hosted by Mike Douglass, 4th Dan Za-Zen. Nice wee seaside. Guest instructors to be confirmed, but include Dave Hammond.

November 10/11th: Two day sutemi-waza and general judo course, Edinburgh, venue tbc. Sutemi-waza with Dave Hammond, 4th Dan, general judo with Ferhid Namouchi (TBC)

Depending on results from the Borders Summer School, there may also be a two-day course and grading in Dundee with guest instructor later in the year.

Up-coming events

Early call for two major events on our calender for 2012: The Sobell are running the first Shochugeiko from June 3-5th. This is an international event, with the European Vice President of the World Judo Federation in attendance. Top quality instruction from both inside and out of our organisation. Fees are £30 for the three days, or £12 per day. Talk to Sensei Dave regarding our group attendance.

For the 11th year, the Borders Summer School will be held in Innerleithen, August 10-12th. Instructors to included Sampson Sampson, Rokudan and George Temperton, Godan. As always this will be a multi-organisational event and will give a grading opportunity to dan grade for our members.

Flyers will be available for both these events in the near future.

Easter Break 2012

Tuesday training will continue as normal, but we are taking a two week break over Easter on Fridays. Sessions for 6th and 13th April 2012 are cancelled. Enjoy the break, kids.

Weekend Course March 31st/April 1st 2012

A very rewarding course for all who attended. A big congratulations to all those that took part and well done to all those that gained promotion. Particular mention to ‘Clever’ whose nine win run took him to the dizzy height of ikkyu – half way on the journey to dan grade. The standard overall was as high as I’ve seen for the grades won. Well done all.

This year’s Kangeiko will be held at the Institute of Sport (ISE), Dundee University. Guest instructor Sampson Sampson 6th Dan. Course date 10 – 12th February 2012.The course will include a training session on the Friday evening, two outdoor events, meal on the University campus. Course fee £50. A non-returnable deposit is recommended since places are limited. More details to emerge later.

Kangeiko 2012 booking form.

We will be holding a two day course and grading at our Broughty Ferry dojo on 26/27th November. This will be a great opportunity for our newer members and those from Dundee University Judo Club to take their first grading. The course will also contain elements of coach training for those senior members who aspire to ‘take the mat’ one day. The course if for adults and kids of all grades and there will be a social on the Saturday evening. Speak to Dave Sensei for details.

Seven members of the club travelled to London to spend two days with Sampson Sampson and the Sobell judo club in early October and enjoyed two days of wonderful hospitality and fantatic judo. A bonus from the trip was the promotion of Trevor ‘Clever’ Jones who fought his way to 2nd kyu under the watchful eye of Sampson. Well done to Clever.

Photos to follow.

The club scaled new heights at the 2011 Borders Judo Camp with a number of significant promotions and awards being handed out to our members by BJC President Robin Otani who was attending the course for the first time.

A big congratulations to Kamal for becoming the club’s first home grown shodan. Kamal showed a complete mastery of every opponent to win five fights with ippon. Mention must also be made of Frank Arnot, who badgered into taking his grading exams found himself with enough points to be double-promoted, finding himself now as the senior kyu grade at Dundee.

Tracey Baldwin also had a very productive week at the course, not only passing her 2nd kyu exams, but also gaining the club leader award, a first step to being able to run training sessions herself. Congrats also to Trevor Jones and Mike McQuaid for there promotions to 3rd kyu and 5th kyu respectively.

The juniors of the club all acquitted themselves very well too. Enjoying the top quality coaching, with promotions being gained by all, some acheiving a double grade. A big well done to all of those who attending.

Due to the Summer School event, training will be cancelled on the following dates:

• Friday 12th August 2011
• Tuesday 16th August 2011
• Friday 19th August 2011

Training times back to normal from Tuesday 23rd August.