Samurai Judo Academy's Story |
Our History
Samurai Judo Academy (SJA)commenced at the Newcastle Police and Community Youth Club in September 2005 as an activity that is independently owned and operated by chief instructor or "Sensei" Ken McKenzie (Ni Dan), together with Sensei Kas Pilarski (NiDan) as a voluntary assistant coach.
Newcastle has had a proud judo tradition, producing world class judo players in recent decades, which unfortunately declined after a number of key coaches either moved out of the area or retired. Sensei Pilarski has been a long standing member of Newcastle PCYC judo, performing key roles in the Hunter, but was unable to provide regular coaching due to work commitments. Sensei McKenzie fulfilled this role, moving to the Hunter with over 15 years coaching experience at South Brisbane PCYC, Toowoomba PCYC and Twin Towns PCYC, as well as a number of titles at state, national and international levels.
More recently, SJA have been honoured to be joined by Ni - Dan Bryan Needham and San Dan Dennis Boyd who have added further value to the richness of instruction available at SJA.
Since it's inception, SJA has steadily grown to become one of the most successful centres for Judo in Australia today, with increasing successes from regional to international levels already achieved. Other highlights include visits in 2005 and 2007 by judo students of Ube city, Newcastle's sister city in Japan, as part of a 12 year tradition that has been revived by SJA.
OUR VISION
The vision of Samurai Judo Academy is to become a world leader in Judo by using a Continuous Quality Improvement approach to developing the systems and processes necessary for excellence in judo coaching, administration, public relations, judo programs for all ages and skill levels, the development of world class competitors and, most importantly, the development of good character in all people associated with SJA.
OUR VALUES
Honesty, Integrity, Judo spirit, Hard work(Dedicated effort), Friendliness, Mateship, Good sportsmanship, A family atmosphere
OUR PEOPLE
Chief Instructor: Ken McKenzie
Instructors: Kas Pilarski, Dennis Boyd, Bryan Needham
Assistant Instructors in Traiing: Harry chalker
2009 NSW Country-City Challenge Champions: Kynan Ward, Jayden Sawyer, Dave Johnson
2009 PCYC State Champions: Kynan Ward, Jayden Sawyer, Kenji Sato, Liam Holt, Caroline Hain,
2009 Australian Titles: Liam Yokoyama (Gold), Caroline Hain (Bronze) Qrt Finalists: Harry Chalker, Kenji Sato
Recently relocated players from SJA: Melinda Brown (Silver)
Qrt Finalists: Liam Bruckdorfer, Nimble Collyer
2009 NSW State Team Players: Liam Bruckdorfer, Melinda Brown, Harry Chalker, Nimble Collyer, Monica Lawman, Caleb Lawman, Jacob Maurer, Ken McKenzie, Liam Yokoyama
2008 HAS Judo Program Members: Liam Bruckdorfer, Harry Chalker, Nimble Collyer, Monica Lawman, Jacob Maurer, Ken McKenzie, Connor Englund, Liam Yokoyama
2008 NSW State Team Players: Matthew Brown, Melinda Brown, Liam Bruckdorfer, Harry Chalker, Ken McKenzie, Liam Yokoyama
2007 NSW State Team Players: Ken McKenzie, Peter Pham
OUR SUCCESS SO FAR
2009 NSW Country-City Championships: 3 Gold, 1 Silver , 1 Bronze
2009 NSW PCYC State Championships: 8 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze.
Overall NSW Club Champions for most points
2009 Australian Judo Titles: 1 Gold, 1 Bronze, 2 Semi final places
+ 1 silver and 2 other semifinal places from recent SJA
players
2009 All members of the Advanced judo program once again qualified
for the NSW State Team at the 2nd of 3 selection events,
along with 6 other SJA members
2009 ACT International Open - 1 Silver 1 Bronze
2009 All 8 members of the HAS judo program qualified for the NSW
State Team at the 1st selection event
2008 National Titles: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
2008 Commenced the first ever regional Academy of Sport Judo
Program in Australia, based at Newcastle University.
Commenced Active After Schools judo programs X 2
2008 Wellington C'ships:12 Gold 4 Silver, 4 Bronze
2008 NSW State C'ships: 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze
2008 Sydney International Open:3 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze
2007 Country Championships: 8 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze
2007 National Titles: Qrt Finals
2007 State Titles: 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
2007 ACT International Open: Bronze
2006 NSW State Titles: 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
OUR GOALS
1. Increase by 50% each year the no.of SJA members in the NSW State Judo team (9-12 in 2009) and the results at National Level (3-4 medals in 2009) - ACHIEVED!
2. Double the no.of Active After School Sport and related training programs each year (4-6 in 2009)--> by 2012, conduct judo programs in the majority of schools within the vicinity of Samurai Judo Academy clubs as part of a curriculum of physical and character development
3. Commence a 4-7yr age group judo program in 2009, focussing on fun skill development in balance, coordination, discipline, safe falling, rolling, self defence and basic judo - ACHIEVED!
4. Commence a dedicated 'Judo for self defense' program in 2009, with a particular focus on self defence for women - ACHIEVED!--> work towards making these programs available to all Australians as the most effective and safest form of self defense by 2013
5. Via our programs of physical and character development, Samurai Judo Academy will have a measurable impact on important issues effecting Australian families and society today, including health issues such as childhood obesity, social issues such as youth violence and community issues such as the development of good citizenship
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