New clubs, new members, fresh approaches:
Judo Australia’s Shane Alvisio is currently touring South Australian judo clubs as the state prepares for its peak event of the year this upcoming weekend. (There’s still time to register!)
Shane – our National Participation Manager – is glad to report that judo in South Australia is on the upswing as clubs reinvigorate their offerings and approaches to market.
By developing our connection with clubs and coaches around Australia as part of the Playwell initiative, Judo Australia ensures they have the tools they need to introduce newcomers to judo, retain old hands, and keep committed judoka developing throughout their judo journey.
Some 15 club coaches attended a Coaching Accreditation Framework (CAF 2.0) course during Shane’s first week in South Australia.
Hosted by Kangaroo Judo Club at Ashton in the Adelaide Hills, coaches were not only brought up-to-date with the necessities of modern coaching – they were also able to connect over a hearty lunch provided by Kangaroo’s co-founder and co-head coach, Christine Hustig.
This particular instalment of the CAF Course was distinguished by an excellent presentation on Anti-Doping by Sports Integrity Australia, which included discussions on Illicit drugs and precautionary advice about commercially available supplements. (Always check the label!)
Also presenting was long-time Port Augusta club coach and school teacher, Leigh O’Shaunessy, who focused on how to get the youngest students engaged and active with Games for Judo.
Shane’s program in his first fortnight in South Australia has included Tiger Judo Club, Raptor Judo & Martial Arts, Flinders Uni Judo Club, Western Youth Judo Club and Kazoku Judo Club, culminating at South Australia’s largest judo club, Adelaide University Judo Club.
AUJC, freshly united after a merger with UniSA Judo Club, is breaking new ground in judo with the Dynamic Balance for Life program developed by Meera Verma and her partners. By introducing a train-the-trainer approach as well as short course style programming, Meera and her Dynamic Balance team have created new ways for people to encounter and enjoy judo.
This is what the Playwell-sponsored Club connection tours are all about, Shane explains. Sharing knowledge between clubs and coaches lifts the entire judo community, and strengthens our bonds with each other.
“It’s been been great to get on the mat to share knowledge and experiences, as it always is when I get to do this. What I see, as I move around the country, is the progress we are making across the board.”
“Last time I visited Judo Clubs in South Australia, only a few had a digital presence and signage outside their dojos. This time, I saw improvement everywhere, and Flinders Uni Judo Club had one of the best sports club websites I have ever seen,” he applauded.
