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- from L to R is Myself, Tara Smith, Terry Young, Kerry Jones and Stewart Marsh
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- Shows Stewart and myself supporting some of our students at a recent competition
Talking all things Judo with Dave Hughes from Sittingbourne Judo Club.
Established in 1997, Sittingbourne Judo Club is a friendly, welcoming club open to all ages from 3 years plus and CommunityAd had the pleasure of sitting down and speaking with Sittingbourne Judo Club’s Dave Hughes to find out more about this wonderful sport…
Can you tell readers about your own background in Judo and what you love so much about the sport?
I first started Judo in 1972 when I went to my local Youth Centre in Partington Village which is in Manchester. I soon got into it and would travel to other clubs with my Instructors who I hold in high regard and are still my friends to this day 51 years later. After several years of training I managed to get my 1st Dan Black Belt at Crystal Palace Sports Centre in 1981. Eventually I would move down south to stay at my sister’s in Cliffe and eventually opened a Judo Club there.
Around 1994 I met my future wife at a Wrestling Show in Maidstone. After a while I moved to Sittingbourne got married at Gretna Green and decided to start my own Judo Club at Kemsley in 1997. The Club has been going almost 26 years now starting off as Kemsley Judo Club and changing the name to Sittingbourne Judo Club in 2001. After 51 years of practising Judo there is still a lot more to learn and to me, it’s more than a sport, it’s a way of life.
How long has Sittingbourne Judo Club been running for and what would you say have been the club’s proudest moments?
Proudest moments apart from my grandchildren taking up judo are the hundreds of children that have passed through the doors and now even bringing their children to the club. And we have had a few children go on to represent at County and National level.
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- from L to R is Kerry Jones, Stewart Marsh and myself when Kerry and Myself passed our 5th Dans
Do you have a future vision of where you would like Sittingbourne Judo Club to be in the next 30-40 years?
Hopefully, in the next few years, it would be nice to have our own permanent Dojo so we could practise every day.
Are you currently looking for any members and if so how can readers find out more?
We practise every Thursday evening at Kemsley Community Centre from 6:30pm. We also have a Facebook page under Sittingbourne Judo Club which has all the info on there. I can be reached on 07795 167132.
We cater from the age of three and for those that want to compete there are plenty of opportunities. We have a dedicated Coaching Team who have been doing Judo for many years. All our coaches are DBS checked, First Aid Certified and regularly attend courses.
Away from Judo, what do you enjoy most about living in Sittingbourne?
I enjoy living in Sittingbourne now that I’m retired and nowhere is out of reach. Plus, I’m sad because Judo is all I really think about.