From The Board

In this communication we will talk about:

• Consultation on Restructure

• For the Coaches - New Age Divisions for 2024

Dear Life Members, Member Clubs and Members

The sun is now setting on the last day of 2023, which has been a positive year for Judo SA thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and admin support, as well as the support provided by our member clubs around our events, training and other functions.

2023 was a year of many highlights from all our member clubs and individual judoka, but a few of the stand outs were:

• Graham Mines, of Western Youth Judo Club, being conferred his life membership in recognition of long standing and valued service rendered to the sport of Judo in South Australia.
• The AIO and AMG, which was superbly run and attracted strong interest from Judoka from across the Country. The professionalism of the events team, officials/judges/referees, the set up & take down crew and support volunteers was a credit to our association. Those two days turned heads in Judo Australia.
• The participation of three Judoka on the international scene, Liam & Lillee at the Virtus Global Games, and Teá at the Asian Cup Cadets & Junior – Hong Kong, bringing home a bronze. Also the State Team judoka from all our various Clubs punching above their weight at the Nationals, including Masa and Binh’s from UniSA Judo Club’s dominance in Kata
• The Shiai success of SAJA and Kazoku Judokan on the interstate scene along with Tiger making its presence known, along with other clubs in our association.
• Adelaide Hills Judo Club making a splash back into our local competition with Flinder’s Uni Judo Club, Kangaroo (the volunteer power house) and Gawler also show casing their talent.
• AUJC’s dynamic balance initiative grabbing national and international recognition,
• Whyalla Judo Club and Port Augusta Judo Club reviving their inter-club competition
• Those member’s that achieved their dan grading

You may recall JudoSA was looking to sponsor two coaches to attend the Kodokan Exchange. There was only two EOI’s to attend on behalf of the State, one was Masa Motoyama who will make a superb ambassador for us all, but as a Director he will not receive any financial benefit from JudoSA.

Reform & Restructure

Stage 2, part 1, of the reform work being undertaken has been finalised and has resulted in a restructure, that incorporates an operational merger with Judo Australia by way of a purchaser/provider arrangement.

As a consequence the clerical support position will be abolished.

Details for consultation purpose and feedback can be found here: https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/judosa/files/ooa9fwgw9mqrjidg.pdf

For the Coaches - New Age Divisions for 2024

New age divisions will be introduced for the first time at the Canberra International Open for national events.

Details can be found here: http://New Age Divisions: the FAQ (ausjudo.com.au) ; https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/judosa/files/etvop27tatjzdjvy.pdf and FAQ's https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/judosa/files/g0bmsiflwgp8cljk.pdf

EOI for Board Liaison & EOI Appointed Directors

We had advised that before Monday 18 December we will enter into a reform and restructure phase, that will take into account the feedback as provided by YourSay.

The stages of this process are outlined here: https://cdn.revolutionise.com.au/cups/judosa/files/gx0qjyygsqwfcso4.pdf

We also advised that EOI’s will go out for clubs to put forward their Board Liaison and for two (2) appointed directors to join the Board, which will target women, to achieve much needed gender equity on the Board.

These EOI’s were delayed in order to finalise the restructure but will come out in the new year. 

This brings 2023 to an end, and we wish everyone a safe and productive 2024 and look forward to sharing the journey with you all.

Yours In Judo

The Board

Judo Moral Code: Courtesy, Courage, Friendship, Honesty, Honour, Modesty, Respect and Self-Control.

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