The Special Needs Judo Club originally started in Clevedon in response to a joint initiative by Bristol Council and Mencap. One of our greatest supporters at this time was Dr. Ann Trotman - we later named a trophy in her memory. This group started in 1985. The original players came to Clevedon to practice on our high grade mats but after
a year or so they lost their volunteer driver who was prepared to collect them from around Bristol. Another group formed - this time in Bristol, practising at a Community Centre in Shirehampton on ordinary Gym mats. This group continued to meet on a regular basis although it was in many different venues. This was with the considerable support of Andy Harris, firstly as the driver and later as a coach as well. Transporting people will always be a problem. Some of the original members from those days long ago are still practising - Michelle Godbert and Kevin Hogan were there on the first day whilst Tina Kelly, Daniel Brooks and Richard Youngs have been with the group nearly as long. |
The first competition in which members took part were arranged between "England and Wales" and we introduced the Ann Trotman Trophy for this, in memory of a very great lady who was particularly helpful to us when we were struggling to get it all started. The English team won it in 1997, again in Wales in 1998 and recently retained it in a competition in which the standard of Judo has improved enormously. An International competition, organised under G-Judo rules used extensively on the continent for Special Needs players, was eventually organised in Cardiff in 2000. This was our opening into their Competitions and it was found that we were equal to their standards. Members came back with many medals including 5 golds and subsequent visits to the Continent have built on this success making our team a constant presence amongst the other eleven or more countries that take part. |
