News for 2017

The Dowty Club have had a busy first quarter of 2017 both at the Dowty Judo Club itself, and around the competition circuit. A full list of competition successes appears on our relevant Honours and awards page. On the competition circuit, probably our most significant successes came from the British Schools events, with the Club achieving some notable results both at the qualifying rounds in January, and then the finals at the EIS in Sheffield early in April, when Helena Harvey repeated last years success with another 1st place this year. There was also Silver and Bronze for Edward Holder and Kayden Rudman respectively, and Jason Aug competing in the Special Needs event also took a Silver. Apart from the Schools, the Club have also achieved some satisfactory placing's at other events of varying status around the Country.

Another significant happening has been the Club’s re-validation of their Sport Englands Club Mark status, which signifies the Club's standing as a "fit for purpose" organisation. At the time of going to print, the Club awaits their confirmation of this status, but having heard all the right noises, we are confident of the outcome.

The Club still awaits the decision of their Landlords as to some development possibilities on part of the Dowty Sports and Social site at Staverton, where the Dowty Dojo is located, which in turn would lead to the re-locating of the Judo Club's premises.

As in previous years, the Dowty Club will host a re-validation event in June for Judo Coaches both within and from outside of the County. Details of this event can be found on the County, Area, National, and Club websites.

Finally for now, Dean Douglas, long standing member of the Dowty Club, and current British Masters Champion, will set off on a 10 day visit to Japan, the home of Judo. We wish Deano a safe and enjoyable trip.

Pete Salter
Dowty Judo

Newent Judo Club held their awards evening after the Junior session on Friday. The children who had taken part in sessions during 2016 all received a certificate, while some club members received trophies as follows:

Spirit of Judo Trophies :
Izabelle Shuttleworth
Samuel Beumont
William O'Connell
Emiliyan Atanasov

Outstanding Contribution to the club Trophy :
Chris Giglio

Coach player of the year Trophy :
Matthew Taylor

Club player of the year Trophy :
Helena Harvey

Since my last newsletter of October 2016, there has been plenty going on in the County, not least another successful Gloucestershire Open, held once again at Newent. The County's Clubs and their Juniors were well represented both as competitors and medallists, and it was in the main as I say a successful event. We were rather close to the wire with regard to referees, and we have what I guess is the perennial problem with such events, ie to much work done by too few people, a problem we need to address.

The County's current top two Clubs were also well represented and successful at the British Champs in Sheffield; at all levels with Harry Lovell-Hewitt from the Stroud Club and James Hayes from Bradley Stoke taking Gold and Silver respectively in the Junior -81kgs category, with James also taking Bronze in the Senior -71kgs category. Harry also competed in the Scottish Open taking Gold in the Senior -81kgs and Bronze in the Junior category. Harry Stone currently training at the Dowty Club also achieved a 5th place at this event in the Junior -73kgs category.

I am writing this report the day after the Western Area Schools qualifying event at Hutton Moor, which I believe attracted over 200 entries, and suffice to say at this point that Gloucestershire will be well represented at the Finals in Sheffield in early April. As I have said before, Hutton Moor works well as a venue for West events, but based on yesterdays experience, it is definitely a summer venue as it was very cold all day in the competition area of the venue.

Pete Salter - Gloucestershire County Chair

The Dowty Judo Club has held its annual awards evening at the Dowty Sports and Social Clubhouse at Staverton. Pete reported another good year for the Club, with competition activity at a good level, whilst the more recreational Players continued to enjoy their Judo and their contribution to the overall success of the Club. As in many Judo Club's, the Juniors are usually the more active competitively speaking, but always worth noting that most of the Dowty Seniors are ex Junior Players who still support the Club.

Pete gave a brief update on a proposed future development of part of the Staverton site, which may lead to the need for a replacement Dojo.

The awards ceremony was followed by an American supper and the Quiz.

The full list of Award winners was as follows:

Performance Awards:
Callum Woodham
Scott Bedford
Kayden Rudman
Martin Davies

Outstanding Performance Awards :
Helena Harvey
Dean Douglas
Tommy Sheerin

Achievement Awards :
John Lockey
Nathan Berrecloth
Maria Ritchie

Spirit of Judo Awards :
Ellis Rudman
Harry Stone

Continuous Improvement Award:
Edward Holder

Paul Chadwick Shield:
Bryan Butler

Keith Wolvendale Shield:
Jamie Wolvendale