INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

The benefits of Judo for your child

Judo training is an ideal form of physical exercise for your child because most of the time they’re just having fun and don’t realise they’re exercising at all!

It’s a great cardiovascular workout which improves stamina, general health and overall fitness. Parents who have ventured onto the Judo mat with their child soon come to appreciate this!

Parents of children at our club tell us that Judo also complements their children’s other sports activities as well. Children who also participate in such diverse activities as rugby, gymnastics and dance can benefit from some of the diverse skills and physical attributes that regular Judo training helps to develop.

Regular Judo practice will also see improvements in your child’s:

  • Flexibility
  • Balance
  • Posture
  • Physical co-ordination
  • Reflexes
  • Mental reaction time.

As if that wasn’t enough, progression through the grading system can boost confidence and self-esteem. And in defeat, your child will learn the qualities of discipline, self-control and respect for their opponent.

Our child protection policy

We take a common sense approach to the serious issue of child protection and our own policy follows guidelines given by the British Judo Association.

Our measures include:

  • CRB checks for coaches and other club volunteers in a position of trust;
  • Child protection training from the BJA;
  • Our own Club Welfare Officer, with a particular responsibility for child protection issues.

For your own peace of mind we actively encourage parents to observe our training sessions and club competitions.

From December 2007, Steve Smedley has been our Club Welfare Officer, and is the first point of contact in the club for any of your concerns about child protection issues.

Judo licence

Everyone who participates in Judo in the UK MUST hold a valid Judo licence from a recognised judo body, and in our case that is the British Judo Association. Primarily, your licence is your insurance cover should anything unfortunate happen while you are on the mat.

Your licence also lets you to take part in all of our club training sessions, gradings, and competitions, as well as other events taking place elsewhere outside the club.

You can apply for your Judo licence through the website of the British Judo Association. You must do this independently, and not through the club.

Remember, no licence, no Judo!

Medical conditions

There are very few medical conditions that would prevent someone from participating in our Judo sessions, but it is important that the coaches are made away of your child’s individual needs.

When you enroll on one of our beginners’ courses, and later when you sign up as a member of the club, we will ask you, in confidence, for details of any medical condition that our coaches should be aware of. This will ensure that our coaches can let your child take part fully in the training session entirely within his/her capabilities.

If your child uses an inhaler for a respiratory condition, please make sure that:

  • Your child has it with them when they come to Judo;
  • It is labelled with your child’s name;
  • It is within easy reach while your child is on the Judo mat.

Special needs

Our coaches have a wealth of experience teaching Judo to children with a range of special needs, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and impaired motor control skills.

In our experience, Judo can be immensely beneficial to children trying to cope with these and other related conditions.

We can, and will adapt our coaching methods to ensure that Judo is accessible to everyone. We will never turn anyone away.