Latest news in the world of Judo within the Yorkshire and Humberside area.
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Ken Cooper is celebrating his 80th birthday on the 26 th January 2019.
He was a coach and referee within the Area for many years until health problems limited his activities.
Ken has been responsible for the development and running of Knottingly Judo Club producing recreational and competitive players to a very high standard. The club always made visitors welcome.
He worked with the West Yorkshire committee and organised Area competitions at Knottingley to a very high standard.
He is a very approachable person and where possible gave assistance on and off the mat. Ken contributed for many years to the development and growth of the Area and is
always the epitome of Jigoro Kano’s philosophies
His son David has arranged a party for him at the club (the old Conservative Club) at 7 pm, for whoever may be interested to go along.
Oliver Ore-Oluwa Joof Jones passed away peacefully on 9th December, aged 86 years.
He was the beloved husband of the late Anne Jones, loving father of Yevette, Yvonne, Oliver and Eleanor, also grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Oliver worked as a Senior Nurse Manager at St James' Hospital, Leeds.
The funeral took place on Thursday 3rd January at 9.30am at St Michael and All Angels Church,
Headingley.
Oliver ran and coached at St James’ Judo club producing very good recreational and competitive Judo player. He was very active in refereeing for the Yorkshire and Humberside Area. He coached the West Yorkshire County squad and was always of assistance to the West Yorkshire County committee.
Oliver welcomed everyone to his club and would also help members in their personal life as needed.
An inspiration to a generation of young people always instilling the philosophies of Kano and will be sadly missed.
This year has ended in disappointment because again we have had to cancel competitions. I understand this is happening in other Areas also. We have to have a closing date for entries for each competition and if there are not enough competitors to make it viable we have to give notice in due time to avoid venue expenses, first aid costs and to allow those that have entered and also competition officials sufficient notice to cancel their preparations.
In the past we have asked for volunteers to become officials without success and I appreciate the effort now needed to qualify and revalidate. We are likely to lose existing officials because the average increase in age and if we do not have any competitions there will be no facility for revalidation.
This situation was predicted some years ago and now it is upon us. We seem to have gone back some 40 years when there were few competitions in the Area but for some reason the demand grew and maybe we need to understand why.
If the majority of feeling is that we need competitions, a new strategy is required which may have to be piloted with the help of one of the counties and if successful extended across the Area. Input will be required from the counties rather than just from the Area committee.
I WOULD SINCERELY LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE CARRIED OUT THEIR ROLES TO ASSIST THE AREA AND THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED OUR EFFORTS OVER THIS LAST YEAR.
Area Chairman
C Cleavin