WJA SN JUDO

Events in Wales in 2008

Monthly Squad training sessions in Cardiff, on the first Sunday of every month.

DISABILITY AWARENESS COURSES

If you would like us to run a course in your area in 2008, please contact ; royjudo2@hotmail.co.uk.

These courses cover 1 whole day.

Practical Session AM.

Seminar and Questions in the afternoon.

COME AND TRY IT DAYS AND EVENTS.

Why not organise a SN come and try it session in your area. We would be quite willing to come along and help you.

Contact your local council sports development officers and local schools.

This will also benefit your club and membership.

WHY NOT TRY TO HELP US ENABLE ALL ATHLETES WITH A DISABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR SPORT.

WE ARE HOPING TO RUN THESE COURSES AND COME AND TRY IT DAYS ALL OVER WALES.

Three Welsh special needs judo players, have been selected for the first BJA SN Judo Team. They will compete along with team players from England and Scotland in a team of 12, at the Judo for All tournament, in Beverwijk Holland on 4^th to 6^th April 2008. Their selection will enhance the work done by the Welsh Judo Association over the past 15 years on integration in the sport. They will compete against athletes from another 15 European countries. The forming of this team will also enhance the work of the BJA and its Commission and equality programme. The forming of this team will give all athletes with disabilities further opportunities and a goal to aim for. The British Judo Association Inclusion Commission, consists of members from the 4 home countries and will be running the British SN Closed Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, in July 2008.From this championships they will form 3 SN Judo squads – Juniors/Cadet and Senior. A team from Wales will also be attending a tournament in Ravenna, Italy from the 8^th to 12^th May 2008. Andrew Macentee.

From Penylan in Cardiff, Andrew trains at the WISP Sogo Judokwai at the Howardian Centre. Cardiff. Andrew as been involved in the sport of judo for the past 12 years and has reached the grade of Brown Belt. He is at present one of 5 athletes with a disability from throughout GB. Being given the opportunity to gain his BLACK BELT, by the BJA, by working through a technical syllabus, put together by the BJA for future Dan Grade examinations of athletes with disabilities.

Andrew as represented Wales at many tournaments throughout GB and Europe and as won medals of Gold/Silver and Bronze. Andrew is 18 years of age and has an intellectual disability and slight paralysis of his left arm and fingers. He hopes that one day he will be able to compete for GB in the Paralympic games, perhaps not in London in 2012 but in the games in 2016 or 2020.Andrew competes in the 80kg category.

Craig Edwards

From Bridgend, Craig attends judo sessions in Porthcawl Judo Club And WISP Sogo Judokwai in Cardiff.

Craig is one of our heavyweight judo players in the over 100kg category, he as won medals at tournaments throughout GB and Europe and represented Wales on many occasions. He as been involved in the sport of judo for the past 12 years. Being a Brown Belt at present, he also is going for his BLACK BELT like Andrew through the BJA Scheme. Andrew and Craig are the only 2 judo players from Wales going through this BJA Scheme. Craig as an intellectual disability, being 6’ 6” and being very strong, Craig in all his competitions uses his skills of certain techniques to overpower his opponent, not his strength or weight.

Sean Birdsey

Sean is the third member selected for this team and is from the Neath area. He trains at the Neath Nights judo club. Sean as also been involved in the sport of judo for many years and has attended tournaments throughout GB and Europe. Sean has an intellectual disability and cerebral Palsy, but this as not prevented him from pursuing a sporting career in judo. Due to his co-ordination and balance, Sean in his early judo years, started tournaments in groundwork only. But now he regularly competes from the standing position and has improved to this elite level. Sean is a Blue Belt at present and hopes that one day he will gain his 1^st Degree Black Belt. The Welsh Judo Association endorses these players achievements. These athletes should be commended for putting their disabilities aside to excel in the sporting world of their choice.

Judo Contacts

Roy Court – WJA Liaison Officer for Special Needs.

Telephone; 07889 824472.Email ; royjudo2@hotmail.co.uk

Welsh Judo Association

Telephone ; 07826-452688 British Judo Association. BJA Inclusion Commission Chairman (Mr Dave Clark).

Telephone; 01509- 631670

For further information on the WISP Sogo Judokwai in Cardiff.Please contact: kirstyjudo@ntlworld.comThe club runs on a Friday evening and operates judo sessions for all abilities and ages.Mainstream/Juniors/ Seniors/U7s and SN. Please also see attached a photograph of the 3 BJA SN Team Representatives from Wales.