Heacham Judo Club History
The club was started in 1984 by Derek Skipper at the small Pine Trees Hall in the village.
We are affiliated to the Amateur Judo Association.
It began with just a few members but gradually grew into the club it is today with members ranging from 5 years old to adults. The players take part in local and countrywide competitions and also compete with a club in Middelharnis, Holland.
In 1985 we had our first National Squad member, qualifying to take part in a competition in Rotterdam.
After meeting with instructors from Middelharnis, we held our first International competition at the old Kit Kat Club in Hunstanton, in a cold October in 1987.
In 1992 as the club grew, we had to move to a new venue at the village Public Hall, this gave us space for more members with enough space for two mats.
1996, After continued success with the club, Derek Skipper sadly passed away. The club was then continued by his daughter Shirley, with the help of other instructors.
In 1997 we were joined by another instructor, Jeff Tucker.
In 1998 the members took part in the A.J.A. National Team Competition taking a bronze medal.
The International competition held with Middelharnis, became the Derek Skipper Memorial Competition.
We were the first club to have a players name put onto the Player of the Day trophy.
In March 2002 we had one of our best trips to Holland, coming back with 4 gold's and 5 silver's.
In 2004 we had our first brothers to win gold and silver in the A.J.A. National competition in Birmingham.
We gained three more instructors in 2005, with awards going to, two senior instructors and one junior instructor.
In 2006 the Amateur Judo Association became 50 years old. The club entered into the Area Team Competition and came back with 3 gold's and 2 silver's in the juniors and a silver with the seniors.
2007, March was our best result at the Nationals with 3 gold's and 2 silver's and in May with the National Open we came home with 2 gold's and a silver. We finished this year with the Derek Skipper Memorial competition having a great result with 3 gold's, 6 silver's and 4 bronze's.
In 2008 we took part in our first competition at Marham Judo Club, coming home with a gold, 2 silver's and 3 bronzes. The Nationals gave us a great result with 4 gold's and 3 bronze's. The Derek Skipper Memorial was one of the best results this year with 6 gold's, 6 silver's and 8 bronze's and the Player of the Day, with a large amount of help coming from our fundraisers and parents, making it one of the best weekends.
2009 and our 25th anniversary year. It is amazing that we have got this far. We had a anniversary day in May with training for all and then a celebration party in the evening with awards ceremony. The year continued with success at the Nationals and Area competitions, then in November we held the Derek Skipper Memorial competition. Everyone had a great day at the competition and in the evening we had our own ' Judo's Got Talent ' with fun had by all. We ended the year with the Club competition with some very pleased children getting their first trophy. I think that Derek Skipper would have been pleased with how the club is doing and what it has and is still achieving. Lets keep this up for the future.