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Preliminary Draws

We have posted the preliminary draws (to be adjusted with completed division weigh-ins) at the venue.  See this link for a Listing of Divisions as they currently stand.

We are particularly impressed by the big showing of U10 and U12 competitors — it could be about noon before we can get underway with the Petit Sam event.  Calling all clubs:  any assistance you can provide with coaching for the PS group would be greatly appreciated.

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Some club updates…

Brian and Aubrey had good results with the new tournament software at the BC Winter games – with an invitation to run the head table portion of the venue at the 2020 games in Fort St. John (and likely the 2022 games when Vernon is hosting).

Our youngest team member Teigan Bixby fought in the largest division and had good experience—where she hopefully will be able to participate in the 2020 games. Nadine Bondt and Kiyoshi Comley received bronze and silver medals in their respective divisions. At youth provincials, Nadine took silver for U16-40; Kiyoshi silver for U16-38, bronze for U14-38; and Sydney Grevatt gold for U18-57.

At Pacific International, Nadine was our only medalist receiving a bronze in U16-40. At Edmonton International, Kiyoshi was our sole competitor but managed bronze in U14-38 (his only loss to the gold medalist, in a decision). Sydney is working towards a tourney in England and both Nadine and Sydney are our hopefuls for the 2018 Nationals coming up in Calgary.

The club has recreational members too!  We are already looking towards membership for next season. We really want to get a 5 to 6 year olds kids’ class going and investigating options for judo in area schools.

Judo is a sport that promotes physical literacy. Unlike many other martial arts, there’s no hitting; it is truly both the “gentle way” and a serious Olympic sport/self-defense martial art. Learning to fall properly is a life skill everyone should master and a basic judo technique.

We are planning a demo at the Japanese Cultural Society Spring Festival April 21. Our tournament will be held at the curling rink, April 13-14 (Friday night kata and Saturday shiai). We are looking to add a “petit samourai” fun kids practice and a team competition this year.

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Spring Break

As a reminder, classes continue during Spring Break but with a single combined class time of 7-8:30 (where younger members can bow off at 8 if required).
The Easter Monday class is moved to Tuesday April 3, with the same combined class time (7-8:30).
Regular class times resume April 5th.
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High Performance Coach in the Okanagan

Judo BC Head Coach Jérémy Le Bris is coming for some practices in the Okanagan the week leading up to the BC Winter Games (NEXT WEEK). His schedule is limited to a few clubs because of the Youth Provincials just before the BC Winter Games and then the Games. Everyone is welcome to attend the closest practice or all the practices! It is a great opportunity to experience his coaching and ideas and enjoy working with the other club members. Let’s show him some Okanagan Spirit!!!

Feb 19 (Monday) Workout at Vernon Judo Club at 4895 Bella Vista Road

Beginner class: 6:30 to 7:45 pm

Advanced class: 7:45 to 9:15 pm

Feb 20 (Tuesday) Kelowna Judo Club at 710 Evans Ct. Kelowna

Advanced class: 7:15 -8:45 pm

Feb 21 (Wednesday) Kamloops Judo Club at 1080 Kenora Road, Kamloops

Advanced class: 6:30 to 8 pm

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BC Family Day / February Tourney Registration Dates

Happy BCFD,
First, remember for BC Family day, there is no judo tonight; instead there will be a single combined class from 7-8:30 Tuesday (where the younger judoka are welcome to bow off at 8).
Next, congratulations to Teigan, Kiyoshi, Nadine and Sydney for competing at the BC Youth Provincials in Abbotsford.  Kiyoshi got silver U16-38, bronze for U14-38; Nadine silver for U16-40 and Sydney gold for U18-57.  Carson took part as our first representative in a petit samourai event and Mnason joined in with the other team members for the Sunday BC team workout–where coach LeBris described some of the rule changes coming for 2018.
Also, more events are on the way–with registration deadlines coming up:
  • Pacific International (Richmond Mar 3-4) Online registration deadline February 17th — last chance to weigh-in/register in club February 15th.
  • Edmonton International (March 10-11) Online registration February 25th — last chance to weigh-in/register in club February 22nd.
Good luck to our BC Winter Games competitors in Kamloops February 22-25.  Let’s go zone Two!  The BCWG will be the last event of the season with the 2017 rules.  Please mail or talk to Aubrey if you have any BCWG questions.
Finally,

  • There’s still lots of apply juice for sale–help support our athletes.
  • Our own tournament is coming up in April 13-14.  Sign up in club to volunteer.
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New Year’s Notes

The Season is flying by fast.  First some time-sensitive information:
1. Please note that tomorrow is the last chance to get weights and payments in club for the Youth Provincials in Abbotsford.  (Event is on the 10th, with weigh-ins on the 9th and a BC team workout on the 11th).
2. The Kamloops Judo Club has put out a request for volunteers for the February 23-24th BC Winter Games.  Contact them directly for details.
3. There is a regional team workout this Sunday in Kelowna 10-12 at 710 Evans Court.
Next, it was a delight to see so many new faces for the kids class bring a friend night.  Don’t forget that we can offer a 2-week free trial to anyone who would like to try out judo for the first time.  Just get them to check in with us ahead of time and fill out the paperwork.  We’re happy to answer any questions they might have – just have them email the vernonjudo@gmail.com address.
We also had 4 attendees at the Okanagan Open in Kelowna.  Congratulations to team:  Peyton, Nate, Lilli and Mnason.
Lastly, don’t forget
1. Apple juice sales help support our athletes.  We’re hoping every family can sell 5 boxes.
2. Our own tournament is coming up:  April 13-14.
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December Dates

December Dates

The VJC Parents’ Association has fresh-pressed local apple juice available for purchase again at the hall.  Support our judoka and buy 5L for $15.

With the regional team workout behind us (much better attended than our October Session), note the following dates as we wind-down December:

  • December 18th:  Last day of the year with judogis.  Regular class times.
  • December 21st:  Promotions Potluck.  Meet at 6:30, eat at 7 and wind up by 8.  Please come out and get to know the volunteers that make the VJC work.  Our last meeting of 2017.
  • January   4th:  Regular classes resume for the 2017-2018 season.
  • January  20th:  Next regional team workout (Aberdeen Judo Club–Kamloops)
  • January  21st:  Okanagan Open Inter-Club Shiai (Kelowna–for Novice Judoka–it’s inexpensive and nearby.  Talk to us to sign up)

The PDF version of the calendar posted in the club is at vernonjudo.ca, under Events and to the lower right if viewing on a computer or tablet and at the bottom if on a smartphone.

Finally, a big congratulations to all those who attended the Burnaby tournament (Avery, Carson, Kiyoshi, Mnason, Nadine, Teigan and Thaddeus).  We were impressed with everyone’s efforts and determination over a long day.  Four of the seven also took home medals:  Kiyoshi and Carson got first in their divisions, Nadine second and Teigan third).  George, Dean and Brian were able to coach and Donna, Sydney and Aubrey refereed (where I think it was a first-time experience for the last two with the judocare system).  See full shiai results at judobc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017-Canada-West-Invitational-Results.pdf

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Winter Games Update

Congratulations to all four of our BC Winter Games candidates who all placed first in their division at the zone 2 trials (*or are the alternate for their division):  Teigan Bixby, Nadine Bondt, Kiyoshi Comley and Emma Houston*.