An intensive study camp in the home of Judo is coming to a close for this contingent of Australian judo coaches. Returning to Australia this weekend following eight days of daily on-mat coaching as well as theoretical lessons, the nine coaches demonstrated an inspiring mix of enthusiastic youth and seasoned experience to mentors at the Kodokan.
They were Michelle Matthews, 6th dan, of Hawthorn-Lilydale Judo Club in Victoria, Tim Mitchell, 3rd dan of the Gold Coast Judo Academy, Boyd McMahon, 3rd Dan, of the Townsville Judo Club in Queensland, Jeremy Cade, 1st dan, of Shin Gi Tai in Brisbane, Queensland, Cherese Freeland, 1st dan, of Marrara Judo Club in Darwin, NT, Aaron Squires, 1st Kyu, of Gold Coast Judo Academy in Queensland, Ash White, 1st kyu, of Yarra Judo Club, Eltham, Victoria, Lael McAvoy, 1st kyu, of Hawthorn Lilydale Judo Club in Victoria and Pearl Galiere, 1st kyu, of the UNSW Judo Club in Sydney, NSW.
Welcomed to the Kodokan by Otsuji Hirofumi, the Kodokan’s liaison to the Judo Australia, as well as one of the coaching personnel leading the Seminar, the group was taken on a tour of sites around to the Kodokan complex, including the shrine that now sits on the site of Jigoro Kano’s original dojo.
Ranging in age from Yarra Judo assistant coach Ash White, who is 19, to the venerable Michelle Matthews who has dedicated many decades to teaching judo in Victoria, the group will undertake on-mat practical and technical sessions, as well as classroom-based workshops designed to broaden theoretical knowledge of both coaching and Judo itself.
The Kodokan study camp is a life-shaping experience for many coaches, explains Judo Australia’s National Participation Manager, Shane Alvisio. He was delighted that the broad mix coaches from around the country aptly demonstrated the increasing maturity of our Coaching Accreditation Framework as more accrediting coaches choose to cap their studies with a pilgrimage to the Kodokan.
From left to right below: Ash White, Aaron Squires, Jeremy Cade, Cherese Freeland, Michelle Matthews, Boyd McMahon, Tim Mitchell, Sensei Otsuji Hirofumi. In front: Pearl Galiere and Lael McAvoy.
The final photo, showing part of the group visiting the shrine on the site of the original Kodokan, includes a Swiss judoka (in the beige jacket) who was invited to become an Aussie for the day!
