More than 40 Victorian coaches have this month started their coaching journey or moved to upgrade their coaching accreditation at CAF courses led by Judo Australia’s National Participation Manager, Shane Alvisio.
Working with Judo Victoria, Shane toured a range of local clubs, attended the Gippsland Regional Championships, and delivered three CAF courses in Drouin, Bendigo and at the NPC in Melbourne.
While bringing coaches together to upskill and refresh their commitment is essential, it is visiting the clubs and getting on the mat around the country that Shane loves most.
“It is so good to see local clubs in action, and witness the delivery of Judo to our grassroots members,” Shane says. “Welcoming beginners, watching gradings, sharing special occasions – I’ve been very lucky.”
Shane joined training at the Peninsula Judo Club in Somerville on the Mornington Peninsula, Taketani Judo Academy at Huntingdale and Waverley Judo Club in Mount Waverley, both in Melbourne’s south-east, then travelled west to meet judoka at the Cia Paulista Judo Club in Maribyrnong, before participating in the last session of year at the Melbourne University Judo Club in Parkville.
This Victorian tour – ably organised by Judo Victoria – followed several club visits in New South Wales as he drove south from his base on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
In Mittagong, NSW, the Highlands International Judo Club was originally a karate club. Shane said coaches Alan Mauger and Jason Besters are doing a great job of introducing Judo to practitioners of other martial arts, and are building well with both junior and senior players.
An overnight stop on the Central Coast allowed Shane to join training at his “home” club in Erina, Kugatsu Central Coast Judo Club, where Shane was head coach for many decades. Having handed over the club over to a new generation, he finds it satisfying to be able to randori with former students of all ages.
“It’s always fun for the teenagers to throw around their old Sensei – and it’s fun for me too!”
Shane’s final stop in New South Wales was in Albury, where the Albury PCYC shared a special occasion. The club presented long term Judo coach Hilly Westra with a nameplate to mark the Martial Arts room at the PCYC being named in his honour – much to Hilly’s surprise.
As a volunteer coach at Albury for the past 35 years, Hilly has not only taught generations of judoka, but invested many hours into dojo maintenance and all the little tasks the Coach ends up doing. A richly deserved honour – congratulations Hilly.
“Club coaches have always been the backbone of our sport, and I’m lucky to be see them getting on with the job, advising where they need it, and collecting all the ideas and inspiration for how we take Judo forward in this country.”
Shane Alvisio joins the Albury PCYC Judo Club to honour long time coach, Hilly Westra.
Home to Kugatsu Central Coast and many past students.
Highlands International Judo Club in Mittagong, NSW .
Highlands International coaches: persuading students of other martial arts to give judo a go!
Crossover with MMA and Jiujitsu also benefits judo classes at Peninsula Judo Club in Somerville, Victoria.
Taketani Judo Academy, Melbourne.
Judo Bendigo, where Shane led a CAF course boosting the numbers of accredited Victorian coaches.
Melbourne University Judo Club, on the last day of training before the exam period!
Cia Paulista Judo Club in Maribyrnong, Melbourne.
Waverley Judo Club in Mount Waverley, Melbourne, where Shane attended senior and junior classes.
Children’s judo games at Waverley Judo.
A full house for Shane at Waverley Judo!
