My name is Joe Laws and welcome to the world of Newburn Judo Club. I’m affectionately known as Judo Joe for the obvious reasons and I would be delighted to share with you a little information about this wonderful judo club and myself.

Great year and a great future ahead

It is now 2010 and our club is enjoying its 23rd Year. Wow! What a year 2009 was, I thought 2008 was very good but 2009 exceeded all of my expectations. From the 2009 objectives that were set out, I believe we achieved everything and more from those objectives.

My overall highlights of 2009 are the positive developments within the club. The membership of the club has grown through the introduction of the beginner’s session on a Saturday and the restructuring of the training levels within the club. Through our development work, we are now working with over 200 adults and young people each week. The link up with Newcastle United through the Premier League 4 Sport has been a huge coup for the club but more importantly the opportunity to work with the schools to develop within the community really excites me.

On the mat the club members have performed exceptionally well, beating 2008’s gold medal total with a hugely impressive total of 118 gold medals. However, what is more satisfying is the fact we won 14 National Medals in 2009, this milestone really shows me that the club is developing in all areas and we are moving in the right direction. While I am pleased with the medal contribution we have accomplished, it is the really positive atmosphere that is within the club from members and parents that has giving me the greatest pleasure plus the addition of ten senior members gaining qualifications to join the coaching staff has given me real optimism for future developments of the club.

So what lies ahead for 2010 for the club? I really want to concentrate on promoting the positive atmosphere within the club and continue our growth and development strategy within the community. I believe we have an untapped fountain of knowledge and enthusiasm within the volunteers of this club and I want to create as many opportunities as possible for them, through professional training, to help towards maximising their own aspirations and goals. We will be working with outside agencies to develop courses for volunteers to help the development of the club. I believe the volunteers that take up these opportunities will gain a fantastic experience and greater insight of judo and the club.

In 2010, I would like to develop a special needs group within the club as this is a vital part of the inclusion project that I would like to address. Added to this we will be seeking high quality coaching training sessions for all coaches and members through national and international training camps and move the club forward through networking with our close friends in France and Madeira, Portugal gaining valuable life learning opportunities and experiences.

 

Finally, plans are beginning to be put in place for a potential redevelopment of Newburn Centre with the clubs needs at the forefront of this potential redevelopment - Watch this space! If we can achieve these goals I’m sure 2010 will be as rewarding as 2009.

My Time at Newburn

I can look back with some fond and cherished memories of numerous special occasions that have stood out on and off the mat.

My involvement with the club began on the opening day to a handful of children from the local community and it steadily began to develop in size and reputation as the years began to pass by. It has been a huge privilege to have guided this club from the starting point, with the assistance of some very special and dedicated people, who have volunteered their time to be where we stand today, as one of the British Judo Associations (BJA) Centres of Excellence and to have obtained a Bronze Level British Standards Kite Mark Accreditation is a remarkable achievement.

Over the years the club has produced some outstanding judo players who have whole-heartedly committed themselves to the welfare of the club, which has built our reputation within the local community and the British Judo Association. (BJA). It has always been my intention to maximise opportunities for personal development of both the players and their parents, and I fully believe in people and treat everyone with the full respect that they deserve, and that it always comes back with positive reactions.

Personal Point of View

On a personal note Newburn Judo Club and judo has become so very special to me. The club and judo has enriched my life in many, many ways. I have gained so many positive personal experiences and I believe that Judo has allowed me to fully contribute to all of the things that are important to me as a person. I could not begin to count the amount of friendships that have blossomed through judo - on and off the mat. Judo’s ethos of mutual well being to all is an oasis of reassurance in a world of pressure and expectation especially when it is regarding young peoples lives and it has become the glue that bonds us together

As a parent, I think both of my children have gained many life learning experiences, through the grading tests, competitions and other events they have took part in. These events have also had a significant impact upon my own emotions as I have experienced the most wonderful feelings of satisfaction, accomplishment, achievement, delight and frustration to mention a few.

Coaching Point of View

As a coach, it has always been my philosophy to inspire and become inspired, I have always managed to find myself surrounded by wonderful people at this Club and it has become more of an institution, than a judo club. In a world where I believe every child matters, this is also very important to me as a coach and parent. It is not always about producing the next National or World Champion but inclusion and social acceptance is one of the goals that I pursue. Owing to the way the club is managed it fully endorses: Social Interaction, Friendship, Respect, Confidence, Fairness and Pride. These are the things that are special to me.

Conclusion

As I look at it now, it has been a combination of the thousands of coaching hours in between competitions, travelling together as a club around the country that has produced the winning formula of togetherness and unity this club prides itself upon. If you are a member of our Club you will know how much I value your contribution to our growth and development. If you are thinking about joining a Judo club then come along to Newburn and step onto the mat and bring your friends or children along. You will be guaranteed a warm welcome and I hope you too will get to sample some of the meaningful things that have been an inspiration to me and many other people associated with this wonderful Judo Club.

Our website has helped us attract some wonderful people through our doors, why don’t you be the next one!

Yours Sincerely.
Judo Joe