18/05/2026
Notice to All;
Ryecroft Judo Club has been established since 1954 and, throughout the decades, has regularly helped produce judoka of the highest calibre.
Today, we run 15 sessions a week across our programme, including performance-led sessions for cadets, juniors and seniors. Naturally, that attracts athletes from across the region.
We’re different — and that’s absolutely fine.
The reality is that very few clubs or coaches can genuinely provide everything an athlete needs across their entire journey from beginner to elite senior level. Athletes grow at different rates, need different environments, and benefit from exposure to different training partners, coaching styles and opportunities.
That includes us at Ryecroft.
When one of our athletes reaches a point where another environment may help them develop further, we encourage it. Likewise, athletes from many other clubs regularly come and train with us alongside their home club.
A large number of clubs and coaches locally embrace this approach, and we actively send players both directions depending on what is best for the athlete. That is exactly how healthy development pathways should work.
Train with us, and we’ll support you like one of our own. We won’t be apologising for celebrating the success of athletes who train with us, regardless of whether they are also members elsewhere.
That isn’t “poaching”. That’s simply recognising the hard work and progress of people who walk through our doors every week.
The truth is, the coaches with the most open mindset usually have the least issue with athletes travelling around. They understand that development is bigger than one club, one coach or one postcode.
Unfortunately, it is sometimes your closest neighbours who struggle most with that idea — but that isn’t our problem to solve.
Our job is to help athletes improve, enjoy their judo journey, and reach their potential wherever that may eventually take them.
Ryecroft will continue to welcome players from all clubs, continue supporting ambitious athletes, and continue building an environment where people are encouraged to grow — not held back.