21 February 2010

Sensei Rick Announces Judo Scholarship Winners

Sensei Rick, in association with the University Judo Club, announced today that Jordan Reynolds and Lee Calder will be the recipients of the A-level Judo scholarship to play Judo in Japan this year.

Calder, from the Western Judo Club, and Reynolds, from the University Judo Club will receive a living allowance, free accommodation and free Judo training from a top University in Kyoto.

Sensei Rick said that he was happy with the final decision to award the scholarships to the two Judoka.
“All of New Zealand’s top Judoka have spend considerable time in Japan, including: Pat Toner, Dave Macdonald, Charlie Sterling, Jerry van Clyenburg, Mike Bond, Grahame Roberts, Terry Bond, Robert Maran, Snoopy Culling, Bill Vincent, Graeme Spinks, Daniel Gowing, Tin Slyfield, Ben Pilley, Steve Corkin, Robert Levy, Ivor Encott-Davies, Dave Mair and Andrew Pragnell.

“These men have taken NZ Judo onto a world stage by doing time in the home of Judo. And each of these guys has brought something back with them that has raised the standard of Judo in New Zealand.

“Now its Lee and Jordan’s turn. They will find it hard. They will get beaten up. But at the end of the day they will be promoting NZ Judo and will bring the best of Japanese Judo back home with them. These two could go far.”

Sensei Rick also add “how nice it would be if all areas had scholarships for young and up and coming judoka and that the judo nz did the same?”

[Comments from the scholarship winners and the B-level scholarships coming soon]
Posted by Judo Kong at 7:29 PM

2 comments:

  1. Thank you very much to the Uni Judo club for this amazing opportunity to progress and advance my Judo. Also a big thank you to Rick Littlewood for organising and awarding the scholarships. Uni Judo is breaking new ground for NZ Judo through this and it would be great to see other clubs emulate this in some form or another to help out other NZ Judoka.

    Cheers,
    Jordan Reynolds
    ReplyDelete
  2. Finally a real chance! My judo career so far has consisted of many trips overseas. world champs, asian circuit, commonwealth competitions, oceanias, pacific rims etc I have tried my luck at most. The best i have done is a win at the oceania judo champs after a month training in japan and a month in scotland, edinburgh.I would have loved to have gone back and kept training however this all costs money and my funds and savings eventually dryed up. Is it really worth it putting in all that effort? Your up against overseas judoka who eat, study and train daily without spending a dime as they have financial support from their national organisations.

    I thank University Judo Club and Rick Littlewood for giving me an equal opportunity, a chance, and a path that may lead to New Zealands judoka one day being more than just participants internationally.

    University Judo emailed me personally and a lot of other athletes and clubs in New Zealand to make them aware of this scholarship. It has just come to my attention that New Zealand judo has some scholarships to France available, I was disheartened to find you had to apply for them two months ago. Makes me wonder why, after numerous training camps, New Zealand judo ask for athletes email addresses and phone numbers???

    A big thankyou to University Judo and Rick again for this chance to get some real training where I may actually get the chance to train as hard or even harder than my international opposition. At last.

    Regards,
    Lee Calder
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