An accomplished Australian judoka and his life partner have set out to transform lives through Judo – and have created a new business model to service that dream. Free judo training.
Like many judoka, Hayden Molnar, a multiple National Medallist who represented Australia internationally as well as refining his technique with intensive training in Japan, credits Judo for shaping the man he became. He dreamed of being able to give back to the community and teach judo without financial barriers for his students – a dream that has now been realised with the driving force – and logistical and management skills – of his wife, Teresa.
Hayden and Teresa have purchased and fitted out a purpose-built dojo in Seaford on the Mornington Peninsula to host their new club – JFC Judo Club.
Uniquely, JFC will offer a new members a “training licence” that rewards regular training with free membership that INCLUDES JVI membership. This ensures that judoka are not only incentivised to train regularly, but with JFC covering their membership dues, they are fully insured with Judo Australia.
“JFC – Judo for Community,” Hayden explained. “I have received so much from Judo during my younger years — discipline, confidence, friendships, and a sense of purpose. Judo shaped who I became. Now that I am in a position to give back, we have set up a Judo club built around helping everyone to experience the same joys of Judo — without financial barriers standing in the way.”
Seaford is located in an area that includes many people with socio-economic challenges. Hayden and Teresa know there could be many talented future judoka out there that just cannot afford to play sport. However members will hold a membership licence, and they will forfeit their membership licence if their training attendance is less than regular.
It’s an ambitious project that has the full support of Judo Australia, with National Participation Manager Shane Alvisio recently visiting the new dojo to lead a Coach Accreditation session.
He was blown away by the beautiful facility.
“The walls look like an art gallery featuring murals of Jigoro Kano, Godzilla (apparently his creator was a judoka) and Japanese cherry blossoms and scenery,” Shane said, also noting that the training area was fitted with an 18m x 10m expanse of 50mm tatami over a sprung floor.
He was also impressed by the billboard spanning the Frankston Freeway on his way into Seaford – Shane believes it is the largest judo billboard ever seen in Australia.
“Every CAF session I hold, I tell coaches and clubs to make sure they are advertising – a sign on the street, or the wall, or the fence … but this is a whole other level! Maybe we need to have a sign challenge to see if anyone can top it!” Shane said.
The new JFC Judo Club is due to open later this month, with a few final touches close to being completed. Take a look at their website: https://JFC.club or look them up on Facebook, Instagram or Tik-Tok.
