Judo Australia’s newly formed Military & Police Committee has been strengthened by the appointment of six new members, representing a broad cross-section of judoka of all ages and backgrounds from around the country.
Chaired by Lieutenant Colonel Derek Morris, the Committee is responsible for promoting and developing judo within military, police and border force contexts, and to support participation, competition and representation for judoka from those communities.
“It is important that the committee reflects a mix of experience across the Australian Defence Force, state and federal police services, and the Australian Border Force, ranging from emerging athletes through to senior leaders and veterans. That breadth gives us a grounded and practical understanding of what our people need,” LTCOL Morris said.
Newly-appointed members of the Committee are:
- Neil Hayes, Nidan, Judo ACT. A Judo Australia Life Member and member of the National Sports Committee, Neil brings decades of expertise in officiating and staging major competitions. He has served in the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Australian Federal Police.
- Scott Steer, Sandan, Maishin Judo Club, Queensland. Currently serving in the Australian Border Force, Scott previously served in the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. He has remained connected to military communities through coaching and refereeing in the Australian Army Combatives Program, and as founder of the Veterans Grappling Foundation.
- Carsten Beyers, Shodan, Yarra Judo, Victoria. Carstens is a categorised athlete enrolled fulltime in the CombatAus program at the National Performance Centre. He is a member of the Army Reserve while focusing on performance judo, with an intent to transition to full-time service in future. He brings a high performance perspective along with the insight of a developing athlete.
- David Nicholl, Nidan, Marrara Judo Club, Darwin, NT. David has completed a 38-year policing career across Victoria and the Northern Territory. Recently retired, he remains engaged with police and military communities through his support to Judo NT and coaching Judo and BJJ.
- John Robinson, Shodan, Townsville Judo, Queensland. A serving police offer with the Queensland Police Service, John has experience across general duties, Rapid Action Patrols, Tactical Crime Squad and CIB. He is focussed on growing judo in military and police contexts, particularly in addressing physical and mental health challenges associated with trauma.
- Kelly Wilson, Devonport Judo Club, Tasmania. A former Royal Australian Navy Commander, Kelly completed a 25-year career with deployments to the Middle East, border protection operations and peacekeeping missions. She now volunteers at the Devonport Judo Club and serves on Judo Australia’s People & Culture Committee.
The new members join LTCOL Morris, a Judo Australia and Kodokan Shodan who trains and instructs at Beyond Grappling in the ACT. A serving member of the Australian Army with over 30 years’ service, he has deployed to Afghanistan on multiple occasions, as well as on border protection and various domestic operations. He is President of the ADF Combat Sports Association and a committee member of the OJU Military and Police Commission.
“I am pleased with the quality of candidates who expressed interest in the committee. We have strong representation across the military, policing and border force communities we are responsible for. I look forward to working with the committee to strengthen the profile of our ADF, police and ABF judoka, both serving and former. There is a solid body of work ahead of us,” LTCOL Morris said.
Judo Australia Board Member, Paul Nelson, has worked with LTCOL Morris to set up the Police and Military Committee, and will now step down from the Committee to focus on his role as Commissioner of the Oceania Judo Union Military & Police Committee.
“It was great to see people coming forward to do this work, and Judo Australia is excited about the opportunity for young men and women to join the military and have a rewarding career while having their high performance judo aspirations fully supported,” Paul explained.
With two Military Teams events having already taken place as part of the National Event Series, LTCOL Morris is working closely with the Oceania Judo Union to develop the Inaugural Military and Police Team Events for the event taking place in Melbourne this coming weekend. Also upcoming are the Judo Australia National Championships on the Gold Coast in June, and the APES Games in October. These events are hoped to become selection gateways for international service events such as the World Military Games.
