COME & TRY OPEN DAY
SWALE MARTIAL ARTS CLUB 127 EAST STREET SITTINGBOURNE ME10 4BL
Easter Saturday was a great day in the History of the Swale Martial Arts Club it saw the official opening of the refurbished Dojo and a brand New Dojo. It was not the fact that this refurbishment had cost £32,000, what made this such as auspices occasion it was that nearly all the money came from Grants and donations, this showed the faith the various organisations have in the club, it also showed appreciation to the instructors and committee members. Grants came from Swale Borough Council, Kent County Council Sports Development fund, Kent Community Foundation, Awards for All lottery grant, Swale Police, friends of SMAC.
The refurbishment consisted of new Judo Mats for both DOJO’s, new floor, pine walls, complete redecoration, new shower and changing room for women, infer red sauna, revamp electrics. The second Dojo (which used to be a function hall) will allow us to expand and introduce new lessons as well as offering a venue for advanced training, already we have added an extra Junior Judo Class on a Wednesday, Sport CombatSombo on a Monday, adult Recreational Judo on Tuesday, a once a month Master Class for those competitive junior Judoka led by Martin Clarke 8th Dan, Junior Judo Kata class on a Friday.
The Young Judo Club was the forerunner of the Swale Martial Arts Club and was founded in 1957 by Margret and Nobby Clarke; its first base was the Community Hall at Pear Tree Ally Milton Regis. 1978 saw Margret Clarke purchased the old Methodist Church in East Street, Sittingbourne it was decided ton house many other Martial Arts under the same roof hence SMAC. The first major revamp to the building was when we built a second floor in 1980 this was done by Roly White who 26 years later came back to do the latest refurbishment.
Come and Try day was a great success with over a dozen SMAC Instructors on hand the two DOJO’s were a heaving mass of bodies for 2 hours with many more people attending for the first time, enjoying what they saw and more importantly joining up.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was when the Judo instructors took a line up of all the juniors. 60 year old 6th Dan Dave Boulding really impressed the crowd when he gave an exhibition match with top competitor 32 year old 4th Dan John Clarke, his movement for a man of his age showed that Judo is not just for the Young, Dave has been teaching at the club since 1974 the only other person who has been longer with the club is Martin Clarke.
An inter club team event was organised with Young Judo Club Sittingbourne (founder member of the Swale Martial Arts Club) and Spitfire Judo Club Folkestone who won the match in a very close competition. This event was a well tempered and friendly contest, after each bout was finished and the winner announced the Queen song “another one bites the dust” was played, this really added some atmosphere to the whole proceedings. The whole day was finalised with a party in the evening in the club bar with the Duo CARA supplying the music.
A special mention must go to the Mayor of Swale; Cllr Bryan Mulhern who spent an hour letting the press takes loads of pictures and showing in a genuine interest in the Club. Swale Borough Council was the biggest contributor.
Our competitors have a very full schedule for 2006 May they have a comp in Norfolk and Scotland, June Poland and Bedford, July Folkestone and Bedford, August annual Summer Camp this year at a new venue Dibgate ACF Camp from September onwards there are even more events. SMAC doesn’t just produce competitors we organise Courses in Coaching, Child Protection, First Aid, Martial arts seminars and many social events.
Finally thanks to all the Coaches and parents who helped prepare for this fantastic weekend.
Further information contact: 0906 201 1403, sombo@blueyonder.co.uk, www.sittingbournejudo.co.uk, www.sittingbournekarate.co.uk