Note:This is published for information only (webmaster)

 

SPORT ENGLAND'S RESPONSE  MAY 6 2011

 

Further to our meeting on 28 January 2011 we contacted the British Judo Association (‘BJA’) and obtained information we consider addresses your queries:

 

1.                 Confirmation that Sport England considers Judo a martial art?

 

At our meeting you showed us a copy of a letter that you had received from Sport England in the late nineties. That letter said that Sport England did not consider Judo a Martial Art, but rather a Sport. Given that we have not seen the letter to which the Sport England reply was given, we have been unable to ascertain in what context that statement was made by Sport England.

 

We do however consider that the issue of whether Judo is or is not a Martial Art to be irrelevant for our funding purposes.  The fundamental issue for funding purposes is whether an activity is a recognised Sport. As you know, Judo is a recognised Sport. Whilst we do not use the category of “Martial Art” in our processes, we can confirm that simply because a discipline might be generally known as a Martial Art, does not prevent it from being classified as a Sport for our funding purposes.

 

I am not sure if this has addressed your concern and would ask that you come back to me if it has not.

Note: This is published for information only (webmaster)

 

MEETING BETWEEN SAVE INDEPENDENT JUDO CAMPAIGN AND SPORT ENGLAND

28^TH JANUARY 2011

 

SIJC representatives – John Goldman (SIJC Leader), Jim Lawson (SIJC Coordinator) and Steven Walter (SIJC Coordinator)

SE representatives – Scott Pugh (SE Solicitor & NGB Complaints Manager), Emyr Roberts (Strategic Lead Coaching and Talent Development) and Richard Beer (Judo Relationship Manager)

 

The meeting was opened by SP, chair, who handed to JG to start.

 

JG read a prepared document describing the five year history of the campaign. He focused on why and how the unhelpful attitudes and actions of the Judo NGB and the sporting authorities (Sport England and sportscoach uk, SCUK) had alienated independent judo organisations. He also outlined that despite raised concerns to SE and SCUK from politicians and the SIJ campaign, the implementation of the UKCC continued without consultation with independent judo organisations and has ended up being discriminatory.  The current situation is that equal access was not available for ALL British judoka.

 

Circulation of the above document to all attendees.             ACTION JG

 

 

Congratulations to the following members of Trowbridge Zen Judo Club
on being awarded Black Belt grades.

Colin Delve
James Wrigley
and
Ben Wrigley

 

CAMPAIGN UPDATE

From John Goldman

 

 

During the past months the Campaign has continued to be active in fighting for the rights of all judoka.

New ministers are being lobbied, questions and investigations are still ongoing.

Prior to Sport England writing to say, “ the current situation is detrimental to the sport”, the Campaign had  requested a meeting to find a pathway forward.

However, Sport England said they would not engage in discussion unless the BJA were present. The Campaign made clear, and gave reasons why, it was unacceptable to have the BJA present at this time.

Subsequently Sport England refused to engage further with the  campaign.

We took our complaint that Sport England refused to meet with the Campaign, without the BJA present, to the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

In response to the Ombudsman’s intervention, I have today heard from their offices with confirmation that Sport England  have now agreed to meet with the Campaign, without the  BJA being present.

We anticipate a meeting will take place early in the New Year to raise issues and concerns of the judo UKCC and behaviour of the BJA.

On that note, and as we approach the end of the fifth year of the  campaign, we send  seasons greetings and wish you all well for the coming year.

John  Goldman

Leader Save Independent Judo

 

(Monday 29th November 2010)
Jon Taylor is awarded his Brown Belt by Shihan Phil Watts 6th Dan Zen Judo Family
at Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club