HISTORY

Grange Judo Club was started around 1960 by Sensei Robert Eames. He started the club at 'The Grange Centre' in Pine Place, Hayes (hence the name !) It then moved to Welbeck Church Hall, Welbeck Ave, Hayes. and was there for quite a number of years. Sensei Eames then emigrated to Australia in about 1993 and Mike Gingell and Kevin Williams, both 1st Dans, took over the running of the club. In 1995 the club moved yet again, this time to Barnhill Community Centre.One of the main reasons for this move was the fact thatGrange Judo Club  was expanding quite rapidly and the Church Hall wasn't big enough. In 1999 we were informed that the centre was to close to enable a new School to be built on the site. We then had to start looking around for new premises, not an easy task, that would accommodate not only all of our mats, but also to be able to use it at least twice a week at a reasonable cost. As luck would have it, one of our parents was a member of Hayes Rugby Club, who have a large hall attached to the club. He asked if we might be interested in using the hall. After a bit of a discussion with all parties, we all agreed that we would move in April 1999. The week we were due to start, travellers moved into the car park. Fate was against us. Two weeks later after all the mess had been cleared up we started.

The club is now run by a committee with Mike Gingell, 6th Dan, as chairman and chief instructor. Mike is helped on the mat by Graham Briggs, 3rd Dan, Eric Cranston, 2nd Dan & Ryan Harland-Smith, 1st Dan.

We started a new project at the end of 2002 to enable people with disabilities to benefit from Judo. This is still running on Thursday evenings, where we have core of around 8 Children and Adults. We also have a Special Needs School come down every now and then with around 6 to 8 children. We cater for most disabilities.

Grange JudoClub is affiliated to theInternational Martial Arts Federation - Europe. Sensei Robert Eames was a founder member of IMAF-Europe and was the Branch Director for GB. Since Sensei Eames emigrated Mike Gingell has taken over as Branch Director GB. We also have strong ties with the British Judo Association. Eric Cranston is a Senior Club Coach with the BJA and Eric is also a well known face on the BJA competition circuit as a referee. We also have guest instructors down from time to time.

All our Judo classes and techniques adhere to IJF (International Judo Federation) rules and regulations (the same ones that govern the Olympics) and some of our players compete in many BJA competitions throughout the year.  However, we also recognise that not everyone wants to compete in competitions so we also teach the techniques which make up the old style Kodakan Judo, so that people can see that Judo is not only an Olympic sport, but also a great wayto keep fit, meet new friends and learn new skills.

Judo is an excellent sport for fitness, fun, building co-ordination skills and self-confidence and also self-defence.  

We also run Self Defence Courses for women and have also held one's for young people at a local schools.  

All members and instructors who train at the club are covered under an insurance policy held by IMAF-Europe-UK when they take out a licence. The cost of the licence is £15.00 and is renewed annually at a cost of £15.00 for juniors and seniors.