Judo values can do the heavy lifting for Australian schools
The Sporting Schools program funds schools around Australia to engage with sports clubs and coaches to try new sports – and for Strathewen Primary School on Melbourne’s northeast fringe, July and August brought Judo.
Ash White from Yarra Judo – based 30 minutes away in Eltham – took 30 students through a four week introduction to Judo.
While just 20 years of age, Ash is a fully qualified Senior Coach under the CAF 2.0 accreditation program, as required per Judo Australia’s requirements for all coaches delivering Sporting Schools sessions. He delivered the Judo4Kids program developed for Sporting Schools, modified by his own experience coaching at Yarra Judo alongside head coach, Neel Beyers.
The key, Ash explains, is to keep it fun and respect everyone’s boundaries along the way. Stressing the Judo Moral Code, and wider framework of Judo, can help win over more shy or reluctant participants.
Starting each session with a bow of respect, Ash explained how Judo was more than just exercise – the traditional Japanese art was created by Judo’s founder Jigoro Kano as a form of personal development, built around the principles of mutual benefit and efficiency of movement.
This thinking was later formalised in the Judo Moral Code. While all of the eight values are important, underlining the value of respect for self and others, friendship, courtesy and self-control are particularly effective in the classroom environment.
“We bow to show our respect for each other – you for me, and me for you, and all of you to each other,” Ash explained to his young students.
“The Judo Moral Code isn’t just for when we’re on the mat, we make it a part of our everyday lives – respect, courage, honour, courtesy, self-control, friendship, honesty, modesty.”
Grounding judo in these ironclad values ensures children take home the essential message to parents – it’s fun, it’s great exercise, but most importantly, Judo can make you a better person, a better friend, and better student.
The students had thoroughly enjoyed the program, according to Strathewen Primary School Acting Principal, Jane McLeod. She said that at least one child was hoping to continue learning the sport outside of school. Student Felix said he loved that Ash taught him different flips, whilst Maisie was impressed that he taught them judo in a safe way.
Interested in delivering Sporting Schools sessions?
To become a Sporting Schools coach, you must be at least 18 years of age, hold Senior Coach certification (including your Working with Children check and first aid certificate) and register via the Sporting Schools portal HERE.
Schools submit funding requests in specific booking windows months in advance, so it’s a good idea to talk judo with them first so they know to ask for the appropriate funding.
The next round of bookings takes place from late October:
Term 1 2027: Monday 26 October-Friday 13 November
Term 2 2027: Monday 15 February -Friday 5 March.
Judo Australia has downloadable resources to help present your credentials, but the best option is to have a personal chat with the PE teacher, Business Manager or Principal. Better yet – invite them along to a Judo class!
