26/03/2026
🥋 Club Appreciation Post 🥋
Some nights remind you exactly why you do this.
A massive shoutout to our coaching support crew — Joel, Matilda, and Lauren — who week in, week out help coach the kids and guide every new starter through the basics. That kind of consistency doesn’t just happen… it’s built on commitment and care.
Tonight was one of those nights where things could’ve gone sideways. I wasn’t at my best, but Joel stepped up and ran the class, backed by Matilda and Lauren. The lesson plan still rolled on, the structure stayed solid, and everything stayed grounded — exactly how it should be. They even made it possible for me to sit back and grade some of our juniors… which was no small effort on their part.
That’s budo.
Not just technique, but attitude. Showing up. Supporting each other. Living that idea of mutual welfare and benefit that Kano spoke about. These three have been with the club since the beginning, and honestly, I’d be lost without them.
They represent our club at local, state, and national levels — but more importantly, they represent it in how they carry themselves every day.
Teaching judo isn’t always glamorous. It can be frustrating, it can be expensive, and some years the club just breaks even. But that’s never been the reason. We do it for the love of judo, for sharing knowledge, and for watching kids grow — sometimes all the way into fine young adults.
Not every path is the same. Not every student will stick, or benefit in the same way. That’s just reality. But when you see examples like these three… it reminds you what’s possible.
Proud coach moment. Always. 👏🥋
