:: News Feb 2008

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Saturday 8th December. The Largest news page update ever..

Happy reading.

Spot-the-difference Quiz

Just to keep you busy over the holiday period... If you go to the Fun Stuff page, you'll find the club picture for 2007 as it was taken, and another one after all the additions, editing, removal of "Rabbit ears", etc.... A prize for every entry... A Big Box of Chocolates for the winner. Only open to club members.

Club AGM - Wednesday 28th November

Separate minutes have been published. Please ask for a copy if required. Little Summary:-
Firstly, no increases in session fees or licences this year.
John Bartlett has accepted the post of the Student Members Representative on the committee. We'll publish more about this role in the near future. The main aim, however, is to give each member/parent/guardian another, confidential, channel to bring up any concerns, issues or ideas.

Clarification of session fees.(Specifically junior on 1st mat and Sat fee)
See minutes or ask Carol on reception desk.
A family rate discount will also be introduced in January.
a) If three paying family members attend, then you get one free session voucher. Valid 30 days
b) Two paying Children and the Parent can come on for free.

Budo Fun Day : Sun 28th Oct

Another successful Fun day. Numbers were a little bit down due to half term. Pictures will be loaded up to the gallery in the near future.
Next years has already been booked for Sunday October 12th 2008. Again in the Large hall, and hopefully the return or the Archery.

Annual Presentation Night : Fri 16th Nov

We had loads of fun to begin with, between 5 and 7, in the squash court. The inflatable Gladiator/Pugil stick game was a "Smash" hit!! We'll get something similar for next year.

A number of awards were made to recognise individual achievements. The shields and trophies will be on display very soon at the squash club, in the new cabinet, as soon as they come back from engraving.
All the winners also received quality medals to keep.

Sempei's Newcomer of the Year Award	- for the best new student. Nominations: Oliver Wheeler, Emily Roney and... - Winner:- Phoebe Bellfield.
Competitor of the Year Award	- for those that take part in Competitions. Nominations: Sam Meller, Hannah Edridge, Jack Stacey, Cassidy Marshall and... - Winner:- Danny Bowyer.
James Marshall Sportsmanship Award	- for Perseverance, Passion and Compassion. Nominations: Jake Howard and .... - Winner:- Oliver Wheeler.
Jack Petchey Achievement Award.	- for Effort, Endeavour and Exceptional Achievement. - Winners 2007:- Wayne Mccarthy, Hannah Edridge and Sophie Bartlett.
	- They each received a special medallion sent from the Jack Petchey foundation.
Jack Petchey Leadership Award. £1,000 for the club	- for pure Brilliance.... - Winner 2007:- to be announced very soon..
Ken Williams Student of the Year Award	- for Attendance, Attitude, Achievement. All previous winners received a medallion to keep..
	- Winner 2007:- Sophie Bartlett.
Display Team Awards	- medals and a Special DVD given to:- Wayne, Hannah (both), Ryan, Sophie, Oliver, Jack, Sarah,Holly
-	- Winner:- Judo.

The special DVD showing a Compendium of this years Display team efforts, to music, is available on request.
Thanks to Mick and John for all the film and pictures and to Adam from Green Dragon Judo Club for putting it all together.
Next Years Presentation night will be on Friday 21st November 2008.
It could be you!

Wednesday night club - 50 weeks a year.

We rest at Christmas.....
Last session on Wed 19th December is party night.
7pm until 8:30 for everyone... fun and games... (then off to the club)

Club restarts on Wednesday 9th January.

Saturday afternoon Little Dragons club -
Starts Sat 12th January, 2:15-3:15
for ages 3 to 5 years

This is a fun energetic session including Judo style games and activities to wear the little ones out, and to start to develop;
Self-Control, Self Esteem, Self Confidence and to have loads of fun.
Pre-booking only, but you're always welcome to watch.
Ring Mick on 01959 540439 to register your interest.
Limited spaces. Trials available on request.

Saturday afternoon club -

From 3:30pm to 5pm. Mixed age group. 5 - 99
Until Sat 15th December returning 12th Jan. Please check the Events tab carefully as there are sometimes other dates when the Saturday club will be closed.

Student of the Month and Jack Petchey Award

The Student of the Month, for November 2007, is Sam Meller..

This is for his continued enthusiasm at training and kindness to others. Really gets stuck in there when needed!!
Sam often comes on Wednesdays and Saturdays but we think he'd come everyday, given the chance.
Only one of three students that have won this award twice...so far!!
Well Done

Consideration is taken for Attendance, Attitude and personal Achievements. The 3 ‘A’s.

Will it be you next time??

Follow the News Archive link for past recipients.

Jack Petchey Endeavour Award Scheme.

This scheme is for the 11-25 year olds and is sponsored by the Jack Petchey Foundation.
The award is given in recognition of a students Effort, Endeavour and/or Exceptional achievement.
(The three ‘E’s).

Nominees are selected every three months and a brief statement regarding their eligibility published.
All the other students vote for the winner, however, a student may only win the award once.

The recent winners for the Jack Petchey Endeavour award are:-
Sophie: Autumn 2007
Assists at both Wed and Sat clubs as acting Sempei and cheerfully helps the younger members of the club. Always there to help at the Displays and other club events. Could not have done without her at the recent gradings where she helped out for all six hours.
Other Nominee was Ryan Gray.
The award was used to help fund the presentation evening.
Trophies, medals, Food and the Inflatable Gladiator game. See above for full details of the night.

Hannah Edridge: Summer 2007
Wayne McCarthy: Spring 2007
See the Archives for details. A big thank you to those students who take part by voting.

Forthcoming events.

Always check the Events tab at the top of the page.
Often, more details follow in the next sections
Or ask a Sensei!

Sat 15th Dec 3:30-5:00	- last Saturday Session before Xmas.
Wed 19th Dec 7:00-8:30	- Club Christmas Party Last Session before Xmas
2008	- Happy New Year
Wed 9th Jan 2008	- Club session Restart.
Sat 19th Jan Morning	- Morning Judo Kata Course in Croydon.
Sun 3rd Feb 9:30-1:00	- Friendly Competition v Green Dragon
Sat 9th Feb 3:30-5:00	- Sat Club AND Display Team Practice.
Sun 24th Feb All day	- Groundwork Competition - South Wales. let Sensei know if interested.
March 21-24th Easter	- No Club session this weekend.
Sun 27th Apr	- Charity Car Treasure Hunt
Sun 18th May	- Club Grading at the Squash Club
Sat/Sun 7-8th Jun	- Biggin Hill Air Show. Club still runs
Sat 14th Jun Time TBA	- Biggin Hill Primary Fete. Display team
Sat 21st Jun Time TBA	- Oaklands School Fete. Display team
Sat 5th Jul Time TBA	- Biggin Hill Festival. Display team.
Sun 13th Jul 9:30-3:00(ish)	- Biggin Hill Open Invitation - Competition.
Sun 12th Oct 9:30-5:00	- Budo Fun day. Bigger and even better
Sun 9th Nov	- Club grading at the Squash Club
Wed 19th Nov 7:50pm	- Everyone needed.. Club Annual Photograph
Fri 21st Nov Fun from 5pm	- Annual Awards Ceremony at 7pm and part. At the Squash Club.
Wed 26th Nov 6:00-6:30	- Club AGM. Everyone welcome. 6 needed for a Quorum
Sun 30th Nov 9:30-finish!	- Biggin Hill Open Invitation - Ground Work Competition.
Wed 17th Dec 7:00-8:30	- Club Christmas Party Last Session before Xmas
Wed 7th Jan 2009	- Club sessions Restart.

Club Grading – Sunday 18th May 2008.

This will be held At the Squash Club, Jail lane. Opposite Darwin School.

Well done to all the students from Octobers Grading tests. All students should own their own judogi for the grading. Sensei Bob can get these in advance, at below shop prices, so get your details to him as soon as possible.

All students who have been attending for more than 16 weeks are expected to grade and to have taken out full membership after 4 weeks. Those who need to join, or renew, their membership to NAKMAS must get their forms from Sensei Bob well in time.

Students will be allocated a time to attend with similarly graded/aged students. Inform Sensei early if there are problems.

Dates for following Gradings will be Sunday November 9th.

Courses and Competitions

Morning Kata Course in Croydon. : Saturday 19th January 2008

One of the best kata Coaches in the South east is running this course. Sensei Mick is going and any Junior/Seniors interested in this course should let him know as soon as possible. Especially recommended for Display team members and Orange belts and Over.

Ground Work Competition. : Sunday 24th February 2008

Probably for the more serious Judoka as this is a NAKMAS National championship. Good preparation for our own competition in November.
If several people were interested we could organise a mini-bus or something. Let Sensei's know early.

Club Invitation Competition : Sunday 13th July 2008

The first of out Annual invitation Competitions was such a success that we're already Booked the next one.
We're also going to run a ground work open competition on Sunday 30th November to help everyone up their game.
Book these in your diaries now.

Next Budo Day : Sunday October 12th 2008

The last Budo Fun Day was on Sunday 28th October 2007 and was another great success.

Plans for 2008 are even Bigger and Better. We've booked the larger Sports hall again, and hope for the return of the Archery.

Events to be confirmed in the new year:
A really fun way to sample several martial arts in one day.

Judo for Rugby Training - Saturday 25th August 2007

Biggin Hill Judo Club went travelling to Westcombe Park Rugby club to give a different angle on their training. Bob and Mick, assisted by Hannah, led the two hour coaching sessions, from 9:30 until 3:30. Selective Judo moves and break falls were demonstrated and adapted to stay within the rules!! We've received some very positive feedback from the day and plan some other sessions in 2008.

Display Team News. First Trial Sat 9th Feb

2007 was our 7th year for the display team.
Get you name to Sensei Bob if you're interested for 2008. Trials in Feb.
You must be available for all or most of the trials and the actual displays.
Sat 14th and 21st June and Saturday 5th July, plus training sessions.
All abilities and ages needed.

Our thanks to the 2007 team members. Each received a Commemorative medallion and a Special DVD, cut to music, at the presentation night in November. Extra copies are available on request.

The Sensei's would also like to express their thanks to all the parents who help with the child transport, moving of the mats especially on the rainy days. It is appreciated and does make things easier.

Website Updates and Stuff

Any comment gratefully received. Please use the Contact Us link or the tab at the top of the page.

Website last updated on 10th Sept 2007.
General News updates.

4,000 hits by Nov.
4,400 by Dec 12th '06.
4,723 by Jan 13th.
5,590 by April 3rd
5,880 by April 25th
6,795 by July 28th
7,152 by Sept 10th
7,526 by Oct 18th
8,021 hits on Dec 8th '07
Future:-
The syllabus, now hopefully removed of all smelling errers,( I know), is getting a make-over. Completion by the end of the year. All going well, each item will link to relevant pages that will show the throws etc in video and moving graphic images to help remind you. In the mean time, please use the Judoinfo web site link on the links page. It's an awesome place to go.

I'd like to include your articles and comments if you want to submit them to Sensei Mick, or via the 'Contact' page above.

Stacks of fun stuff to add in as well, but first things first.
(ED - Mick Williams)