A Judokas Charter

Start this blog at a ridiculous hour – 7.30 am having travelled for 90 minutes to get to a Judo competition for a 7.30 weigh in. Now I don’t mind early weigh in but this is for a Junior team event. Why is it is it so early? The reason is bad planning in my opinion on the part of the Hosting county.

Last year the Southern area team event in the UK was a four mat event, matches starting at 10 and finishing around 4. This year the hosts have decided a two mat event is enough. I hope so, but does the idea of players having to travel for 2 hours to weigh in at 7.30 am fit with NGB LTPD for junior athletes, I see children of 12 looking like they are burly awake as they try to get ready to fight. I hope the day doesn’t drag.

After the first team match for the boys which didn’t start until gone 9am the organisers decide to alternate as the girls have just finished weighing in and they might as well start was the official line!

In the UK with the recent change of grading structures many county and area organisations have lost revenue. This should be made up by an increase in low level completion- however it appears they are making the short fall by running large events on the cheap. two mats not four which mean less outlay on halls, on referees and officials.

This is not an isolated case. The British Master was last year a 4 mat event with close to 160 senior men and 30 senior women. A good days judo with a packed schedule of fighting. Initially the area hosting it wanted to run it along side there area 10/11 trails on the same day and same venue. It was only due to pressure from competitors they have now agreed to split the two events.

So the question I ask today is what do we as consumers, spectators and competitors want, are we going to be driven by the need of the NGB and its areas to make money or our need to gain competition experience for our players? Should the NGB under their new strategic plan to Sustain, Grow and Excell from now until 2013, consider us as consumers and adopt a marketing strategy to set expectations and fulfil them.

The NHS have a patents charter, Schools have a pupils charter so ....
Imagine a Judoka Charter for events. Every Judoka competing at an event has the rite to expect .... what?

Well here is my Judoka Charter for competitions:

Every Judoka has the rite to

1. Compete in fair and equitable completion under IJF rules and those of the NGB.
2. BE protect from intimidation by other players and coaches both on and off the mat.
3. Expect suitable and efficient First Aid provision
4. A nominated weigh in time which should be no more than 2 hours form the start of their weight category.
5. Be kept fully informed of the format of the day’s events
6. A safe well maintained changing area
7. Suitable warm up facilities

Would I be wrong to expect such basic things? Because from what I see at the moment you get this at some events and not at others. What do you think should be on it...?

Perhaps next time I will do a blog on a parents charter for what to expect from your Judo club...

Bye for Now