Sydney University Judo Club’s juniors classes are designed for children aged 5 years and up. Classes are mainly focused on playing games, having fun, developing motor skills and gradually learning the technical aspects of the sport that we love.
The children learn essential skills such as break falls, throws and hold downs, along with both general and judo related games.
Older children may advance to the cadet’s more technical sessions where techniques receive greater attention and they have the opportunity to transition to the adults’ and women’s classes as their skills develop.
Class Times
The SUJC Kids Program takes place for 10 weeks during school term time, in the dojo at Sydney University Sport & Aquatic Centre.
Junior club training schedule
Juniors – Ages 5 – 11 years
Saturdays during term time
11.30am – 12.45pm
Older Juniors – Ages 11 – 16 years
Saturdays during term time
1.15pm – 2.45pm
About Kids Judo
Judo was developed by Jigoro Kano from his experience in various schools of jiujitsu. Kano developed a new style which was founded on the principal that one must give way to your opponent in order to beat them – yield to overcome. Judo has continued to develop and is now practiced both as a martial art and Olympic sport.
Judo is the perfect activity for improving one’s physical fitness, as training in judo improves aerobic capacity, flexibility and strength, and is an excellent activity to complement other sports.
Why do Judo
Judo, the gentle way, consists of throwing and grappling techniques to suit all shapes and sizes. It is a real fighting sport where you actually come to grips with your opponent, specialising in close-in fighting – just what you need for effective self-defence.
It emphasises free-form practice rather than rigid and repetitive routines. This freedom of expression provides interest, enjoyment and a challenge for any budding tactician.
The benefits of judo are numerous. Apart from having a lot of fun and meeting people, the ‘judoka’ develops:
- confidence
- coordination and balance
- falling skills
- efficiency of movement
- self defence skills
The principles of judo can be applied not only to other sports, but also as a way of approaching and living life.
Grappling
Grappling is offered in conjunction with traditional judo. It involves a number of wrestling techniques. It will develop their musculoskeletal system in combination with Judo like no other, and in the process teach them to grapple safely and develop their fighting spirit. It will improve their confidence, strength and endurance, and in the process they will have great fun.
What to Wear
We recommend the traditional Judo uniform, a “gi”. A judogi is made of thick cotton and helps protect the skin from impacts and grazes. The judogi is used in a number of techniques and is the required uniform for competition. Sydney University Judo Club offers children’s size judogis for sale.
Our Coaches
Our coaches are fully qualified, with current NCAS level 1 coaching accreditation, working with children accreditation, First Aid and CPR certification.
Martin Doyle
Martin Doyle is a 4th Dan in Judo, Level One Wrestling coach, Physiotherapist & Sports Scientist
- British Judo Squad 1987, Coach Arthur Map
- British Freestyle Wrestling Champion, 1988, 1989
- GB Olympic Games Wrestling Seoul, 1988
- Australian Judo and Wrestling Masters athlete
Catriona Maciver
Catriona Maciver is our Junior Club Head Coach and co-ordinator. She is a 2nd Dan in Judo, Level One Judo coach (AUS & UK) and holds a Self Defence Instructor’s certificate.
- Scottish U18 Judo team, 1983
- Scottish Junior and Senior, British and World Masters judo medalist
Ririko Noda
A 2nd Dan, Ririko coaches all junior classes.
Ririko joined the club in 2017 and started coaching in 2018. She has played judo since 2004 and won two bronze medals at under 57kg weight category in the Kinki Championships when she was in her first and third grade of high school in Japan. In 2018, she received bronze medal in the Australian National Championships and Gold in the Sydney and Melbourne International Championships. She is a specialist in Newaza and is studying childcare.
Nick Forbes
Nick achieved his 1st Dan in 2021. Nick spent a mountain of months in Japan training in dojos across the country in 2018. He knows eight effective-in-application no-leg-grab variations of the throw kata guruma, and it gets coach Gaby every time.
Michel Tchan
A 1st Dan, Michel coaches the older junior classes with flair.
Michel joined the club in 1992 and left in 2002, but came back to us in 2006. He plays trombone, runs marathons for no reason at all and is a Geneticist. Michel has a life membership for his university gold (service).
Junior Membership Fees
SUJC Junior term membership is available for children under 16 years of age.
Each term fee covers up to 3 classes/week for the duration of the term.
Membership signup is online under http://www.susf.com.au/membership-explained.html . Please register your child by week 2 of the term, as Junior Members (U18) and select Judo Kids Term 1, 2, 3 or 4.
Kids' Judo
$145
Per 10 week term** SUSF require that any person joining a Sydney University club must be a member of SUSF ($20 annually for juniors).
** After a free 4 week trial, JFA fees are paid to the Judo Federation of Australia (NSW) which provides insurance and administers judo in NSW.
If the child withdraws, this forfeits SUSF and JFA membership. SUSF and JFA membership fees are non-refundable.
If the child misses classes due to illness, a medical certificate may be required in order to credit missed classes.