18/09/2026
⛩️ Tough day yesterday, said goodbye to-my old friend and coach Andy Bonfield. Andy was one of the original black belts at my first club, he helped get through the pain and mashing machine of the old judo nights at the gosling. He encouraged me, and flattened me, broke serval toes (of mine) that we chuckled about in the bar after.
When i got to BlackBelt and every now again I would catch him - his response was always with humility and affection and a genuine belief from me that I had earned it.
When I set my own judo club up he came down to help with the junior sessions, he brought a warmth and humour to classes and the kids loved his games. Especially the boxing glove tied to a belt and swung and students to inspire them into moving out the way- somethings they didn’t.
I played that game last night with my students, they loved it, so Andy’s games and love for judo lives on through a new generation, maybe with a few less broken bits this time.
🙇🏼♂️
