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Formed in 1973 Micklefield Judo Club was started at the local Polish Community Centre by three coaches, John Oke, Ron Cleere and Arthur Lovell. On the first Tuesday evening 90 + hopefuls, all willing to start judo came to the centre, most expecting to be given judo suits !
With the help of a loan (from a friendly bank manager, and high hopes) a new tatami (judo mat) was purchased and the borrowed one returned. The new tatami consisted of foam mats, and a canvas, which stretched across and was fastened at the edges to wooden supports. Very good for fast foot sweeps and making the learning of ukemi (break-falls) compulsory. In the following years a team of competitive players were feeling their way around events, taking in competitions from near and far, travelling in a converted furniture van with wooden seats, very quiet players going but high spirited winners on the way home. |
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In 1981 the club moved to its present location at Kingswood School, Hollis Road. By the middle 80’s the club started to travel abroad, staying in Valkenburg, Holland. We visited local clubs, J.C Hei-Sei-Eu, Klimmen, Voerandaal, Aachen and others and always had a full days trip to Phantasialand, an enjoyable visit to the bob-sleigh run and fun fair. The club has always enjoyed the support and commitment of parents and various fund raising schemes have included bed-pushing, barbeques and a carnival lorry covered in paper roses with judo players of all ages in full support. Many players have worn a Micklefield Badge with distinction including Marisson Saroka, Maria Hawkins, Ricki Stott, Raymond Stevens, Mandy Costello, Ian Rose, Jenny South, Alan Scott, Alex Mason, Samantha Dobrowolski, and many more. Recent noticeable achievements have been Ian Rose who competed in his fourth Paralympics in Athens in September 2004 gaining a Silver medal in the +100Kg category. John Oke died in May 1998, and the present coaches at the club, believing in the true spirit of judo and friendship are continuing with the philosophy which he started. |
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Joan Oke (Retired): Joan was a founder member of the club along with her husband John. Joan, who retired in December 2005, was a key member making sure the club was administered properly. Without her efforts the club would not have run smoothly. In addition she was a qualified competition official and was often to be found time keeping and scoring at many of the events in which our players participated. |