A leisure centre disallows a martial arts club from laying their own mats

Case 250 - A leisure centre disallows a martial arts club from laying their own mats

Issue

A leisure centre has refused to allow a martial arts club permission to lay out judo mats for classes, on the grounds of ‘health and safety’.

Panel decision

The centre is right to state that they need to ensure that the people who put out the equipment do so knowing how to handle mats which are quite heavy – but there is no logical reason and certainly no health and safety requirement for this to be done by leisure centre staff exclusively.

The matter at the heart of this case is cost, with the centre charging for putting the mats out and the club members preferring to do it themselves on a voluntary basis. The panel recommends a constructive dialogue about the real reasons for the centre’s reluctance to agree to the club’s request/proposal recognising that any health and safety concerns can be easily resolved and should not be used as an excuse.

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Real Gold Medal

I have mentioned in previous blogs that I was honoured at the 2013 World Championships with a special medal presented to me by FIAS for my contribution to International Sambo. On Monday I had a meeting with President Shestakov and told him how honoured I was to receive the award he then informed me only 10 of them were made and only 10 people received them, then came the bombshell   they were solid Gold, so you will not see me wearing that to often.

BSF AGM

British Sombo Federation

A full set of the minutes will be sent to all Affiliated Associations

The following is an abridged version of the BSF AGM January 18^th 2014 held at the Coniston Hotel Sittingbourne

The meeting started with the Chairman Martin Clarke opening the meeting with various reports given by the EC, Chairman’s reports can be seen below

There were several changes to the Constitution

1)   President and Chairman would become one position

2)   Home Country Presidents would automatically have a place on the Executive Committee

The following were elected

President/Chairman Martin Clarke

Vice President Russell Dodds

Secretary Keith Costa

Treasurer Alan Kontozi

Committee Member Colin Carrott, John Clarke, Darren Richardson, Scottish President Robin Hyslop, English President Russell Dodds, N Ireland President Chris St John, Welsh President this was left vacant as at present we do not have any Welsh Federation

3)   Two new associations were confirmed as members they were: Russian All Style Fighting and United Kingdom Sambo Association, renewing their membership were N Ireland Sombo Federation, English Sombo Federation, Scottish Sombo Federation, British CombatSombo Association, Federation of Russian Martial Arts Association, RedStar Sambo, Sombo Union of Great Britain. This is our biggest membership to date and we hope to have a Welsh Federation in the near future

4)   With the amount of immigrants in the UK a decision was made on who can represent GB. This was discussed at great length with the following being accepted. Must hold British Passport and been a resident in the UK for a minimum of 1 year, those with dual passports must give up their right to compete for their Home country. If they have competed for their Home Country they will have to wait 2 years since their last International before competing for the UK. BSF will contact their Home Country Association and FIAS for written confirmation

5)   The position of National Coach for Sambo and Combat Sambo has been abolished and is replaced by United Kingdom Director of Coaching Sambo, United Kingdom Director of Coaching Combat Sambo. The appointments for Sambo John Clarke Combat Sambo Darren Richardson, these people will be responsible for selecting a Committee. They and their committee will be responsible for promoting Coaching events, selecting International Teams and training Referees

6)   Sadly a Combat Sambo Player has been suspended for 2 years for misconduct, this is the first time the BSF has had to do this

7)   The President and Secretary will be attending a Meeting on January 27th in London with FIAS President Shestakov and commonwealth Sambo Association President Lord Reading to sign a document of intent with regard to the Presidents Cup

8)   President Martin Clarke recommended that all home countries affiliate to the Commonwealth Sambo Association

9)   Members were expected to support the British Open

10)                  In future all BSF sanctioned events will be expected to pay a fee of £50

11)                  In all BSF sanctioned events all competitor over the age of 12 will be expect attire i.e correct Sambo shoes, Red and Blue shorts plain colour no writing , Red and Blue Sombo Jackets or Reversible. With regard to Combat Sambo Red and Blue safety equipment is recommended but neutral colours like white and black will be allowed

IBF Long Service Awards

Josh Henson Honorary BSF President / British Sombo Federation Awards

Awards Night

AWARDS DINNER DANCE

BEST WESTERN CONISTON HOTEL 

SITTINGBOURNE KENT

SATURDAY JANUARY 18^th 2014

The Awards Dinner Dance was held at the above hotel. The Coniston has been hotel in Sittingbourne for decades but in recent years has been sold on and refurbished. It is now part of the Best Western groups a hotel group I have used this group all over the World for many years. For those who have used the Coniston in the past would be shocked to see the excellent transformation of the old building, it has been transformed form a hotel of the 1950’s to 21 Century one. The night consisted of a 3-course meal, Magician, Wards presentation and Disco. The Venue was superb as were the staff and the food.

Three organisations got together to organise this event, first was the Warriors Grappling Academy/Young Judo Club awards. These two clubs have this annual presentation in January every years but normally in less palatial surrounding, The Young Judo Club was founded in 1957 by John Nobby Clarke 6^th Dan and Margret Club the present Club Chairman is Keith Costa 4^th Dan, Warriors was formed in 1986 by Martin Clarke Sambo Grandmaster and is now chaired by John Clarke Sambo Master.

 John Clarke made the announcement and the Mayor of Swale Cllr Sue Gent one of our honoured guests, presented the certificates. It was pleasing see the Mayor and her son Cllr Reg Gent staying on after the presentation and enjoying the evening.

Margret Clarke (Oma) awarded to George Loscombe

Players Player awarded to Keith Brown

Coaches Player awarded to Ashley Costa

YJC awarded to Keith Brown

Club Person of year awarded to Blake Southfield

Coach John Clarke was awarded a special shield from all his pupils

Friends of Swale Martial Arts Club awarded to Spitfire/Hawkins

Warriors/Young Judo Club Award Recipients

The British Sombo Federation Awards was up next, Martin Clarke FIAS GrandMaster formed the BSF in 1986 and this was their first Awards Dinner.  Local MP Gordon Henderson a good friend of the Club attendee the event to present the wards. Gordon normally does not do functions on a Saturday but made an exception for us, which was much appreciated. First awards were for Honoured Service to the BSF and the recipients were:

Robin Hyslop,

Keith Costa

Christopher St John

John Clarke

Colin Carrott

Russell Dodds

John Sharpe

BSF Awards 

The BSF also decided to make several people Honorary President they were:

Valerie Clarke

She has always lived in the shadow of her husband and son Martin and John, yet she played an integral part in the formation of the BSF. She was a founding member; holds a 3^rd Degree in CombatSombo and for many years was a national Judge plus she travelled on many occasion to help the GB team at World Championships

Val with Mayor

Alan Kontozi

He was one of only 2 international referees the BSF as has had, he qualified at the World Games in London 1985. Since the he has refereed up till 2012 when he retired, for over 20 years he was BSF Treasurer a position he has just returned to. He also was a founding member of the BSF

Robin Hyslop

Robin became involved in the BSF in 1989 when he attended the FIAS European Sambo Championships Herne Bay England. Since then he has competed for GB winning a World Masters Silver, he is the President of Scotland and RedStar Sambo, he was also President of the BSF for a short period. He has travelled the World represent the BSF.

Josh Henson USA

Last but not least if it were not for Josh Henson it would have been difficult to see how the BSF would have matured. In the very beginning even before the BSF was founded Josh would pay many visits to the UK to explain and coach the fundamentals of Sambo, it was he that gave us our first Sambo Jackets, it was he that introduced us to the World Body FIAS, an organisation he came President of. The BSF owe Josh a great deal of gratitude

International Budo Federation UK Long Service Award

The last time the IBF UK held a Presentation Dinner Dance was in 2001 at the same Hotel. Some of those present at that night were here on this occasion to receive a Long Service Award. This award is for IBF members who have had continual membership for over 20 years. John Nobby Clarke established IBF UK 6^th Dan in 1973 at that time it was the International arm of the British Judo Council MAC, in 1976 Nobby left the BJC MAC and created a totally independent IBF UK

Long Service Recipients

Colin	Carrott	20 years
Kerrie	Penfold	20 years
Debbie	Jackson	21 Years
Daniel	Diamond	21 years
David	Diamond	21 years
Danny	Carrott	22 years
Keith	Costa	25 years
Ashley	Costa	27 years
Ken	Cassel	31 years
Alan	Kontozi	35 years
John	Clarke	35 years
Robin	Hyslop	35 years
Valerie	Clarke	35 years
Trevor	Davies	37 years

Ken Cassell is nearly 67 and still trains every Tuesday and contests with all the young ones let’s hope he keeps it up. Trevor Davies our longest servicing member was one of Presidents Martin Clarke first pupils to be trained to 1^st Dan; he is now a 6^th Dan and still coaches Faversham Judo Club

A very old friend of the IBF Tom Starling Junior presented Martin and John Clarke with a special plaque to celebrate their contribution to the IBF. Tom who is the UK Rep for IBF Jiu Jitsu has known the Clarke Family since he was a boy; his father Tom Senior was a personal friend of Nobby and Margret Clarke, attending many Summer Camps. Tom Senior is a 10^th Dan Jiu Jitsu and still teaches

Tom Starling with Clarkes and MP

The evening finished with people doing silly Dances and enjoying a lot of Beer Waza

John Clarke Tournaments

http://www.sittingbourne.org/young_judo_club_50_year_journey.htm

Warriors Grappling Academy

Young Judo Club

Will be organising small Club Tournaments at their Dojo in Sittingbourne on Sunday the 27th April and Sunday 28th of sept 2014 Please put this in you Diary

John Clarke

IBF Bedford Open Judo Competition

IBF BEDFORD OPEN JUDO COMPETITION JUNIOR/SENIOR

Biddenham Upper School and Sports College Bedford MK40 4AZ

16^th February 2014

WEIGH IN

9.00--‐9.30

JUNIOR

9.30 – 10.00 SENIOR

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES Wednesday 12^th February 2014

WEIGHTS

BOYS Under 8 U21,U24,U27,U30,+30KG

GIRLS under 8 U19 ,U22, U25,u28+28KG

JUNIORS8--‐14YEARS

Boys  U24,u27,u30,u34,u38,u42,u46,u50,u55,u60,+60KG

GIRLS  U22,u25,u28,,u32,u36,u40,U44,u48,u52,u57,+57KG

SENIORS AND ESQUIRES

Men  U60,u66,u73,u81,u90,u100,+100kg

WOMEN U57,u63,u70,u78,+78kg

ENTRY    £15.00

CHEQUES PAYABLE TO

BEDFORD GRAPPLING ACADEMY

SEND ENTRY FORM

TO RUSSELL DODDS

14 BELFRY CLOSE

ELSTOW

BEDS

MK42

9RQ

EMAIL Bedford.grappling.academy@gmail.com

Phone  01234 346112

Mobile 07889 146662

ENTRY FORMS MUST INCLUDE FULL NAME ADDRESS D.O.B. Email and Mobile Number the latter being so we can contact you also proof of insurance if you are IB member we have a record. Day Insurance can be purchased in advance

International Budo Federation rules will apply plus IBF under eight (8) regulations

Note: Organisers reserve the right to amalgamate categories if required.

The seniors will be allowed to do attacks  below the below the belt ,leg attacks using the hands ,pick up kata guruma,te-guruma eg

Also golden score will be in use

Sacrifice techniques allowed /golden throw, pool –knockout & Repercharge in use. No Arm locks and strangles for under 16yrs. Senior Referee& Organiser’s Decision will be final and the organisers will accept no responsibility for loss or damage

arising from this event.

ALL ENTRANTS MUST HAVE PROOF OF INSURANCE COVER