AGM

Yesterday (22 April 2007) the club has a successful annual general meeting at which a new committee and constitution was votes in. The new constitution and composition of the committee will be posted to the website in the near future.

New Judo Videos On Site

I've just finished uploading and linking some Judo technique and demo videos. These use a new system I call 'synthetic slow motion' to make it much easier to see how the judo techniques are applied. Here is the text from the page:

Higher Quality And Slow Motion Demonstration Clips By Club Members

Seeing Judo moves at normal speed can be quite difficult; the art is often one of a fast bold move to
achieve a throw. We have used a computer technique to create the effect of slow motion from normal camcorder
video to enhance all or parts of many of these clips.

Please be patient. Some of these clips are as large as 10 MBytes because of their higher
quality. This means they can take several seconds to download, even on broadband.

Uki-Waza In Slow Motion

At the Banbury Sunday meeting in early April (2007) several club members were working on
their second and third Dan theory. Here we see Greg throwing Tony with Uki-Waza.
Uki-Waza SlowMo

Uki-Waza In Slow Motion 2

Here we can see John demonstrating the same throw with a slightly different technique.
Uki-Waza SlowMo

Uki-Otoshi And Kata Guruma In Slow Motion

At the same meeting, we can see Steve practice a Uki-Otoshi whilst in the background Greg
uses Kata-Guruma to pick up Max (but he does not actually throw him for reasons you can seein
the clip. This video shows John talking through the throw in normal speed and switches to
slow motion for the throws.
Uki-Otoshi SlowMo

O-Soto-Maki-Komi In Slow Motion

At the same meeting again, John demonstrates O-Soto-Maki-Komi.
O-Soto-Maki-Komi SlowMo

Uki-Goshi In Slow Motion

Here Steve works on his Uki-Goshi by throwing Dan.
Uki-Goshi

Standing Randori

Finally for the clips from this session, here is some Standing Randori.

New Web Site Gets Indexed And Raises Funds

You may have been wondering why I have been investing so much effort
into the new website when we already had one!

These are the reasons

1) The old one was not indexed by the major search engines. The new one
is near the top of at the top of all major search engines for 'banbury
judo' or 'kidlington judo'.
2) The old design was cool but not optimised to attract new members.
3) The new design earns the club funds from advertising.

We have so far - over the coarse of just over a week, earned some 6
dollars. OK - not much but it is a beginning. Any video, image or
other judo information which might attract more visitors to the site
will also boost its earning potential. So, if you have any materials -
please just send them to me and I'll be happy to process them and add
them to the site.

I have created some videos to add to the collection from the Sunday
session. I should be able to put these on the site today.

Best wishes

AJ

New Website Design

Drop In And See Our New Website

There was nothing wrong with the old website! However, it was not optimised to attract web search and to help new people find the club welcoming. Lets hope that the new design fixes these two issues.

I anyone has any comments or suggestions, just add them to the comments section of this blog or mail me (Alex) at ajt@nerds-central.com.

Historical News Letter: December 2006

BANBURY, BODICOTE and KIDLINGTON

JUDO CLUB NEWSLETTER

December 2006

We would like to wish all our Judo Friends in this Country and Germany a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas. We look forward to a Happy and prosperous New Year together with old and new friends.

Congratulations

Steve Bedding, who has coached Judo in Banbury for many years, ran the New York Marathon last Month. It was very strange to see an Englishman registered as either an American or a Swiss Athlete depending when you checked the results. Steve completed the Marathon in a creditable time of 4 hours 49.41 minutes. Well Done, Steve, but rather you than me.

Steve has been “persuaded” to come back to coaching after a fairly serious injury and we look forward to benefiting from his experience in the Club.

We have another potential member of the Club in about 5 years. Jane Dixon, wife of Danny and Mum of Tristan, gave birth to Oliver on 20 December at 9.40AM. Oliver weighed in at 7lb 7oz. Both Oliver and Jane are doing well. We offer the whole Family Congratulations from everyone in the Club. Hopefully, we will be able to add a photograph of the Dixon family in the next issue.

Gradings

Seniors

Tony Partridge has gained a further 7 points towards his Second Dan.

John Edwards is getting closer to his 2^nd Dan having got a further 7 points at the Bedford Grading

Adam Wittwer fought at Walsall last month to convert his 16^th Mon (Junior Brown Belt) to a Kyu Grade. He fought well and was awarded his 2^nd Kyu (Senior Brown Belt).

Juniors

Callum Wittwer was promoted to 13^th Mon (Blue Belt)

Luke White was promoted to 7^th Mon (Orange Belt)

Kelly Hampson was promoted to 9^th Mon (Orange Belt)

Sean Hampson was promoted to 8^th Mon (Orange Belt)

Emily Wittwer was promoted to 9^th Mon (Orange Belt)

This has been the best result from a grading for a long time, well done to all the Children who took part.

Future Gradings 2007

National Promotion exams at High Wycombe

17 February 2, 7 April, 21 July, and 20 October. For timings see Iain

Bedford Gradings

Seniors

10 March, 9 June, 8 September, 1 December. For timings see Iain

Juniors

17 March, 16 June, 15 September, 8 December. For timings see Iain.

There will be other gradings around our area and I will find out when and where during the New Year.

Competitions

None of the Banbury Club Members have taken part in any competitions over the past couple of months that I am aware of at the time of writing.

All Juniors over 8 years old can take part in Competitions the best ones to start are the Mini Me Mini Mons and Mini Mons. There are some usually within reasonable travelling distance of Banbury. The best ones to start at are those organised by the Samurai Club in Kidderminster. For the older Children, there are a number of Age Banded Competitions around. For 2007, Children born in 1996 and before can compete.

There are usually a number of Competitions for Seniors and Veterans (over 35)

Dates of Competitions as known at the time of writing:

Bristol Classic Junior Open: 21^st January 2007

Midland area U-20 Age banded Championships:

Children Born 1993 to 1996 – 3^rd February 2007

Children Born 1987 to 1992 – 4^th February 2007

Junior British Open (Minimum Grade 10^th Mon): 3 March 2007

Once I get details of more Competitions, I will inform everyone.

2006 Awards

Judoka of the Year Shield: Tony Partridge

Coaches Award to the Junior Section Players

Most Improved Boy: Callum Wittwer

Most improved Girl: Kelly Hampson

Spirit of Judo Boy: Luke White

Spirit of Judo Girl: Emily Wittwer

World Class Start Programme

There will be opportunities for some of our Club Players to attend the World Class Start Programme Area Training in High Wycombe. There will be opportunities for other members of the club to benefit from this programme in the future. It is a dream of most Sportsmen and Women to go to the Olympics to represent their Country. It would be good, if Banbury could produce Judo Players to compete in London 2012!

If anyone would like further information, I have the excel spreadsheet with all the relevant dates around the area.

BANBURY AND BODICOTE JUDO CLUB 2007 DATES

January	April	July	October
7th	1st	1st	7th
14th	8th	8th	14th
21st	15th	15th	21st
28th	22nd	22nd	28th
February	29th	29th	November
4th	May	August	4th
11th	6th	5th	11th
18th	13th	12th	18th
25th	20th	19th	25th
March	27th	26th	December
4th	June	September	2nd
11th	3rd	2nd	9th
18th	10th	9th	16th
25th	17th	16th	23rd ?
	24th	23rd
		30th

All Dates in Black signify Senior and Junior Sessions

All dates shown in Red signify Senior Sessions only

Do the Seniors want to have a session on December 23^rd 2007 or finish on the 16^th?

Club Polo Shirts and Gi Badges

We are looking at obtaining Polo shirts for Club, which will hopefully be reasonably priced. This will include a Club Logo. At Gradings and Competitions it will present a good image for our Club. We hope to obtain a Badge that can be sewn onto the Judo suits. We may investigate Tracksuits with a Club Badge for those of our Players who regularly compete in a variety of Competitions.

We will be asking for suggested designs for the badge from all our players and family. If you have artistic and design skills, get drawing a design for the club badge.

I have put a suggested design below

Bodicote and Banbury

Judo Club

Hennef Judo Club

The Club has a longstanding invitation from the Judo Club in Hennef, Banbury’s Twin town in Germany. It would be good to foster links with other Clubs in different parts of the World. Please tell Iain whether or not you would be interested in visiting Hennef Judo Club.

Historical News Letter: Number Three

BANBURY AND BODICOTE

JUDO CLUB NEWSLETTER May 2006

Kidlington

After 3 months of waiting, our Satellite Club in Kidlington Sports Centre is now an officially registered BJA Club. Currently, it is for Junior Players from the age of 14 and Seniors Players of all standards.

Sessions are on a Wednesday evening from 8.30PM until about 10PM and are proving popular. We are averaging 14 players on the Mat.

The Club is already shown on the BJA Website. There is a link to the Kidlington Club on our Website.

For more information: Contact – John on 07950249569, Steve on 07747777909 or Iain on 01295 267327

It is planned to start Junior Sessions on Tuesday Evenings from the start of the 2006 / 07 School Year in September.

Promotion

Congratulations are offered to Senior Club Player, Tony Partridge. Earlier this year, He won the prerequisite number of points by winning all his grading contests AND a Line Up to gain promotion to 1^st Dan, once he had completed the Theory Exam”. At the theory exam in High Wycombe at the End of May, Tony passed with Flying Colours.

Well Done, Tony, on your achievement after only about 18 months back on the Mat.

Salisbury Competition

On 23 April, the Club had 5 Players representing it at this large Competition. Everyone entered performed well, especially Kelly Hampson.

This was Kelly’s first Competition and she had to fight higher graded Players with more experience at big competitions.

Tony Partridge was entered into the Veterans event, but decided to enter the Senior (Under 35 years) Category as well. Ryan Pickering was also taking part in his first Competition and had to fight against much more experienced Players.

Emily Wittwer improved her performance from previous Competition starts. Her older Brother, Callum, had an excellent Competition winning 4 fights.

Medals:

Tony Partridge: Bronze in the Under 90 Kg Veterans Class

Ryan Pickering: Bronze in the Under 73 Kg Senior Class

Emily Wittwer: Bronze in the Under 48 Kg Junior Girls

Callum Wittwer: Silver in the Under 42 Kg Junior Boys

Adam Wittwer acted as a Junior Referee at this Competition, all the others were Area or National Grade Referees. He was complemented on the high standard of his refereeing performance throughout the Junior Competition. Adam has been invited to Referee at Junior Competitions in Wales after his performance in Salisbury.

Iain and Jessica Wittwer acted as Competition Officials throughout the very long but enjoyable day.

Future Dates

Mon Grading at Bedford on 17 June for all Players over 6^th Mon who have been completed the Theory up to 7^th Mon, at least

For Competition dates contact Iain

Historical News Letter: October 2006

BANBURY, BODICOTE and KIDLINGTON

JUDO CLUB NEWSLETTER October 2006

KIDLINGTON CLUB

Our Satellite Club has gone from strength to strength over the last few months. We have a good group of players of all grades – male and female.

The next step will occur about the end of this month, when we look to start a new Junior Club on a Sunday Morning.

CONGRATULATIONS

COMPETITIONS:

Kimberly Miles, a Junior Member of Kidlington fought at the prestigious Kent International and Welsh Open Competitions during the Summer. She came away with a Silver and a Bronze Medal.

Sean Hampson fought at one of the Samurai Boys Mini Mons last weekend and came away with a Bronze Medal

PROMOTIONS

Juniors (Banbury):

Callum Wittwer to 12^th Mon (Top Green)

Emily Wittwer to 8^th Mon (Middle Orange)

Kelly Hampson to 6^th Mon (Top Yellow)

Sean Hampson to 6^th Mon (Top Yellow)

Juniors (Kidlington)

Kimberly Miles to 18^th Mon (Top Brown)

Kim was converting a British Judo Council top Brown Grade to a BJA Mon Grade and won all her Grading fights. She has 2 years before she has to become a Senior Player. Well Done, Kim. Next stop – National Cadet Squad?

Seniors (Banbury)

Dan Wells to 9^th Kyu (Yellow)

Rory Dymond to 5^th Kyu (Top Green)

Ryan Pickering to 4^th Kyu (Bottom Blue)

Danny Dixon to 4^th Kyu (Bottom Blue)

Justin (whose surname I’ve forgotten, sorry) to 8^th Kyu

Senior (Kidlington)

Alex Turner to 8^th Kyu

Neil Newman to 9^th Kyu

Well done to all who have gained recent promotions from both our Clubs.

Coaches

Marco and John were assessed recently by Eddie Awford. Both of them passed this practical assessment with “Flying Colours”.

Stewart is in the process of revalidating his coaching licence. Shortly, we will have 4 coaches again.

FORTHCOMING GRADINGS

National Promotion Examination: 14 Oct, High Wycombe Judo Centre

Midland Area Combined Grading: 12 Nov, Walsall Judo Centre

Samurai Judo Club Dan Grade Theory Course & Exam, 26 Nov '06, Kidderminster

Bedford JC Kyu & Dan Grading, 2 Dec

Bedford Mon Grading, 9 Dec

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

NHC Junior Open Championships, 28 Oct, High Wycombe

NHC Red Belt Rumble - 0 - 3rd Mon, 5 Nov, High Wycombe

Samurai JC Rod Lane Girls Minimon & Senior Kyu Grades, 19 Nov, Kidderminster

61 Judo Club U12 Open Competition, 25 Nov, High Wycombe

NHC Age Band Championships, 10 Dec, High Wycombe

All Entry Forms are to be found on the BJA Website

I will look out for Competitions for our Seniors and Juniors during the early part of 2007, and let people know by early December

OTHER NEWS

One of Club Players, Rory Dymond, is not well at present and has not been able to train. We all wish him well at this time and hope that he will make a good recovery and be able to train again soon.

LOST: Has anyone seen a Norwegian Blue Parrot, lost by Iain Wittwer? It scuttled away to the Fjords, when Iain wasn’t able to get around as he kept falling off his crutches!

It has been suggested that we invest in Polo style shirts with a Club Logo to be worn when we go to Gradings and Competitions. Please send feed back to me by email or when you see me on Training Sessions.

Can anyone think of a suitable name for the Newsletter?

If anyone has any news or information to put into the newsletter, please let me know – either at training or by email: iain.wittwer@btinternet.com.

Historical News Letter: Number Two

BANBURY JUDO CLUB

NEWSLETTER #2

Competition News

During the Half Term Holiday, 5 of the Clubs Players took part in competitions at the Samurai Club in Kidderminster.

Sean Hampson: Silver Medal in Under 32Kg Category.

Emily Wittwer: Bronze in the Under 46 Kg Category

Callum Wittwer: 5^th in the Under 42 Kg Category

: Bronze in the Under 46 Kg Category

Adam Wittwer : Bronze in the Under 66 Kg Category

: Bronze in the Over 73Kg (Open) Category

Jessica Wittwer : Bronze in the Under 63Kg Category.

There are more Competitions coming up which Club Members can compete in.

GRADING AT BEDFORD

On 18 March, 6 of the Juniors went to Bedford to Grade

Robert and Lucy Cross were promoted to 7^th Mon.

Emily Wittwer went up to 8^th Mon after over 2 years of trying

Callum Wittwer was promoted to 12^th Mon after some good Judo in all his fights.

Sadly, Julius Hall and Adam Wittwer fought well but did not advance to a higher grade.

Well done to all of them.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CLUB

There is a need for the Coaches, Senior Players and all Parents of Junior Players to have a meeting to discuss where we all want to take our Club.

We are in the middle of setting up a Satellite Club at the Kidlington Sports Centre for sessions on a Wednesday evening. This appears to have engendered a lot of interest in the Oxford area.

Ideas for discussion at a Meeting:

Aiming for the first stage Club award from the BJA and Sport England

Aiming to foster links with local Schools

Formulating a specific Club Development Plan

Payment of Fees by Standing Order

Increasing the involvement of Parents

Increasing the awareness and use of the Club’s Web Site

Newsletters.

Fostering improved links with the local press

Aiming to produce National Squad Players

Maintaining a “Fun” ethos for Junior Sessions.

Giving Demonstrations at Events to increase interest in the Sport

Fostering Links with the Judo Club in Hennef, Germany (One of Banbury’s Twin Towns) We have been invited to go to Hennef when it can be arranged.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Samurai JC Girls Mini Mon: 09 April 2006

Salisbury Junior, Senior and Veterans Open: 23 April 2006

Midland Area Age Band Judo Championships: 29 April 2006

Peterborough Judo Competition(8 to 16 and 14 to U20 years): 30 April 2006

Historical News Letter: January 2006

Banbury and Bodicote Judo Club Newsletter

January 2006, Volume 1 Issue 1

(Would someone like to suggest a suitable title for our Newsletter)

Review of 2005

This year was a relatively successful year for the Club at Junior and Senior level. Many of the Juniors were promoted at In House Gradings. A few of our Judoka went to Bedford to fight for their promotion with mixed success.

2 of our Judoka were very successful: Jessica Wittwer achieved her Blue Belt (13th Mon) before she became a Senior Player. Adam Wittwer became the first Banbury Junior Player to gain his Brown Belt (16th Mon) for nearly 20 years.

Senior Club Coach, Roland Newson achieved the highest Competitive Grade of 5th Dan during the year. Other Senior Players achieved their 1st Dan During 2005: Marco (Steve) De Meis; John Edwards.

Rob Lewis has successfully completed his Coaching Course. Marco de Meis and John Edwards are working towards their Coaching Awards.

Adam Wittwer achieved the top Junior Referee qualification, Level 3 in December. Callum Wittwer passed his Level 1 Junior Referee award in July. The Wittwer Boys represented the Club at a National Cadet Trial in Sheffield gaining points towards the National Squad.

Senior Club Coach Grzegorz Zwolski was supported by Senior and Junior Players at his Wedding to Kamilla in the Autumn.(Story inside) Danny Dixon invited members of the Club to the reaffirmation of his marriage to Jane on their 10th Anniversary.

The last session of the Year was again well attended by the Juniors. At the end of the Session the Club awards were presented. The Recipients were: Luke White and Kelly Hampson—Most Improved Judoka.

Sam Stevens and Emily Starkie received the Spirit of Judo Awards.

Jessica Wittwer received the Judoka of the Year Award. This Shield will be awarded to the Junior or Senior Player who the Coaches believe have done the most for the club over the Year

The final presentation was an inscribed Pewter Tankard to Club Coach Steve Hughes on his Retirement from Coaching.

News from the British Judo Association

During 2005, the BJA increased the cost of Gradings. At Bedford the cost for each Child to grade is now £6=50. The Club Committee agreed to reimburse these costs.

From October 14, all Judoka must have a valid Licence to play the Sport. This is important as players who are injured are able to benefit from the BJA sports insurance. The Club pays an annual membership fee to the BJA, which also provides insurance for the Coaches and all the Players.

From February 2006, all individual membership fees have been increased. This is the first such increase since July 2003.

The new Licence fees are as follows:

Junior New —£19.00

Junior Renewal—£ 18.00

Senior New — £ 29.00

Senior Renewal — £28.00

Family Membership rates have also been increased. Introductory Licences remain at £6.00 & £4.00

Grading Dates 2006

Bedford Dates

Seniors:

11th March; 10th June; 9th Sept; 2nd December

Juniors:

18th March; 17th June; 16th Sept; 9th December Juniors at 6th Mon and higher must fight to gain promotion. The Club Coach can theory a Player prior to fighting for their grade There are other Grading Centres within traveling distance of Banbury. These are in High Wycombe, Walsall and Portsmouth. Grading Fees will vary between the Centres.

“Happy Days” Greg’s Wedding

Greg surprised all his Friends at the club by inviting them to his Wedding to Kamilla in October. Marco acted as his Best Man.

It was a fine day and the whole service went well, despite the difficulty of pronouncing the Polish Names. Greg and Kamilla’s Daughter, Ola, enjoyed all the attention from the Wedding Guests

Guide to the Junior Grades

To avoid confusion, we thought that this bit of information would be useful. (I still have some problems with them)

1st Mon—Red belt 1 Stripe

2nd Mon—Red Belt 2 Stripes

3rd Mon—Red Belt 3 Stripes

4th Mon— Yellow 1 Stripe

5th Mon—Yellow 2 Stripes

6th Mon— Yellow 3 Stripes

7th Mon—Orange 1 Stripe

8th Mon—Orange 2 Stripes

9th Mon—Orange 3 Stripes

10th Mon—Green 1 Stripe

11th Mon—Green 2 Stripes

12th Mon—Green 3 Stripes

13th Mon—Blue 1 Stripe

14th Mon—Blue 2 Stripes

15th Mon— Blue 3 Stripes

16th Mon— Brown 1 Stripe

17th Mon— Brown 2 Stripes

18th Mon—Brown 3 Stripes

A Junior Player can achieve a Brown Belt. Once they change to a Senior Licence, a Player will be provisionally graded as a 2nd Kyu.

The Seniors follow the Junior Belt colours with 2 grades for each Belt Colour.

A Senior Novice wears a white Belt and will rise to 9th Kyu as his first promotion.

Forthcoming Events

January 2006

29Jan'06: Bristol Junior Open Classic 2006

February 2006

5'06: Midland Area U20 Championships

11 Feb 06: Samurai JC Mini Me’s Mini Mon

18 Feb 06: Samurai JC Junior Open Championship

19 Feb 06: NHC Senior Open Championships

March 2006

05 Mar 06: NHC Red Belt Rumble

25 Mar 06: Samurai JC Boys Mini Mon.

April 2006:

Great Britain will be hosting a Women’s Word Cup Event in Birmingham National Indoor Arena. Tickets are available to watch both days — 1st and 2nd April

Competitive Judo

Judo is multi - faceted Sport.

It can be played for fun, as a confidence builder, as a method of self defence and as a competitive sport up to Olympic and World Championship level. At Junior Level, Banbury have produced Juniors who have been part of the National Cadet Squad. Roland Newson has been part of the Great Britain Masters Squad.

Competitions can be fun but they are also hard work for the player. There are Competitions for every level of Player at Junior and senior levels. A player must be over 8 years old before they can take part an any form of competitive Judo.

Junior Players can start with Competitions for 1st to 3rd Mon called Red Belt Rumbles The next step up will be Mini Mons for players up to Orange Belt.

There are also Age Banded Competitions, which take players of similar ages eg 8 + 9 year olds up to 14 and 15 year olds.

There are Area Competitions such as the Midland under 20 Competition in Walsall

At the top of the Tree are the National Competitions, which give the Player the chance to break into National Squads.

Volume 1, Issue 1

Spiceball Park Leisure Centre,

Spiceball Park Road

Banbury,

Oxfordshire

OX16 2PG

Phone: 01295 257522

Web Site: www.banburyjudo.co.u

Banbury and Bodicote Judo Club

BJA Registration: 388

Coaches:

Stewart Meadows

Rob Lewis

Roland Newson

Grzegorz Zwolski

Contacts:

Marco (Steve) De Meis

Tel: 07747777909

Email: msdemeis@aol.com

Iain Wittwer

Tel: 01295 267327 (H) 07930148800 (Mobile)

Email: iain.wittwer@btinternet.com

If anyone has any pictures, comments or articles to go into our newsletter, please contact Iain or Marco.

Hello!

Welcome To BB&K Judo Club News!

It is important for such a fabulous sport as Judo to shout about all its benefits. Blogging is an excellent way to do just that. So, if you want to know what is the latest new, events and changes at our club, just look here.

Our Club And Our Sport Welcomes Everyone! Click here for more details.