Australia’s grading system is set for a major overhaul over the next 12 months as Judo Australia brings policy and processes into line with new expectations from the IJF, and moves towards full digitisation.
“Judo Australia intends to deploy a national grading system that is transparent, historical, nationally consistent and digitised,” said Gareth Watkins, Judo Australia’s General Manager of Participation.
“As part of this we have appointed three new members to our National Grading Committee, including a new Chair who is well equipped to lead these changes,” he said.
Robert Ivers, 6th dan, a former OJU General Secretary and President of Judo NSW, will lead the charge as Chair of the National Grading Committee.
He will be ably assisted by new Committee members, Matt d’Aquino of Beyond Grappling in Canberra, and Peter Woolons of University of Western Australia Judo Club in Perth. They join existing members of the Grading Committee, Janet Lambert of Endeavour Hills Judo Club in Melbourne, and Dale Keogh of Budokan Judo Club in Castle Hill, Sydney.
Together they will tackle the evolution of the National Grading Policy to ensure alignment both nationally and internationally, as well as the need to ensure Australia’s grading system not only upholds its traditions, but offers a traceable path through Judo that every Australia judoka can be proud of.
Mr Ivers appointment to the role of Chair comes after long service rendered by Mr Alan Broadhead, who served as dual chair of both the Grading Committee and Kodokan Committee for many years.
“We’d like to thank Alan for everything he has done for the Grades Committee over his years in the hotseat. Taking on not one but two demanding jobs as a volunteer is incredible service, and no one can fault him for the taking the opportunity to focus on his first love,” Judo Australia’s Gareth Watkins concluded.
