The biggest opponent in North Queensland judo is a tough one – distance. Judoka in the far North are far away from each other, the rest of Australia, and the big competitions and training camps in the southern cities and states. But Judo Australia and Judo Queensland are working hard to minimise that barrier.
Judo Australia's National Participation Manager, Shane Alvisio, created the JA's Club Development Tours to help connect and develop local clubs wherever they are. In February, Judo Queensland invited him to visit Far North Queensland to gain a better understanding of the region's unique challenges.
Shane would find the massive distances complicated by another factor – widespread flooding that left him camped by the side of the road more than once.
“It was an education on what the locals have to deal with all the time,” Shane laughed about the many hours spent in his van waiting for the bridges to open.
“Judoka in the north tell me they will travel five hours to their local tournament or interclub event. The distance from Mackay to Mossman is ten hours of driving time – North Queensland is very beautiful, but it’s a vast region.”
Judo Queensland has launched a number of initiatives to tackle the challenge posed by distance, and was keen to get Shane to FNQ for a Club Development Tour. As well as all-important funding, Judo Queensland supplied logistical advice as Shane navigated his way around the flood-struck region.
“It’s really rewarding to visit remote and regional clubs who don’t see a lot of newcomers or resources. And that’s exactly what Judo Australia can offer Clubs – a guided tour of why they need to be members and how we can help,” Shane explains.
“Plus I get a chance to get on the mat with new people, and that’s always fun. And they get to throw someone new around!”
Judo Australia benefits can be transformative for smaller clubs, Shane explained. He outlines essential insurances, marketing and member retention strategies, Sports Integrity issues and member protection, and the challenge to make our Clubs inclusive, welcoming and fun for all.
“I like to talk about Paralympic and Adaptive Judo opportunities, which need more awareness, as well as stuff like Sporting Schools which can help bring more kids into the clubs. But our biggest point is usually about the CAF, the Coaching Accreditation Framework.”
“Ensuring we have Accredited coaches running our judo clubs is essential, and by visiting as many clubs as I can – and running as many accreditation courses as I can – we are giving as many judoka as possible the opportunity to become an accredited Assistant Coach, or Sensei Judo, or Senior Coach Judo.”
One such course was the hosted by the Northern Beaches Judo Club in Cairns. Further south, Shane assisted Townsville Judo members to demonstrate Judo at the Townsville Sports Expo.
Also visited were Coral Coast Judo in Mossman, the Mackay Kodokan, and Mt Isa Judo. In March, Shane plans to visit more clubs in Central and North Queensland, hopefully with drier weather to allow better access to clubs across the region.
Scroll through the gallery below to enjoy Shane's progress through the North!
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