Progressing well
Hi everyone,
just a quick post to say that despite appearances on the site, we are actually progressing really well behind the scenes.
The schools Judo side of the project is proceeding the most quickly and easily. We have some classes setup for the new term already and potential for more. It is soon reaching the point where we shall need more coaches, which is great. The community sports club projects are moving along nicely, with a club looking to be started in Bishopstoke in a month or two, all things being equal.
The academy programme itself is the slowest moving, which is to be expected. The aim is now to launch with a development camp, we shall be writing to all the clubs and coaches and referees etc asking them to identify talented young Judo players at secondary school age. We will then send invites to these players specifically along with invites to their coaches. We shall also invite all the other clubs and players; but depending on venue and interest we may/will limit attendance to those identified as talent.
The aim of the camp will be to get to know the players and their coaches. We need to understand what the players and coaches are like as people and also we want to test them a little to see how they handle themselves in a camp situation. There are lots of clues to be picked up about a player by putting them into a camp situation and seeing if they thrive or dislike it; or both.
We will probably not be launching the camp until after the September 2009 Hampshire Judo Association Committee meeting and will need 2-3 months of preparation time, so as you can see the Academy Camp is still quite a way away.
But the ball is rolling and awareness of the project grows with it.
Lance