THE CLUB'S HISTORY
In 1975 Dougie Powell of East Mersea Youth Camp, started the club at East Mersea Village Hall on Sunday mornings, children from East and West Mersea would cycle to the hall in all weathers for Doug's street wise judo lessons, they would practice there moves on straw tatami(mats) soon the club moved to the Youth club at Mersea School where the numbers grew, this sport of judo was proving very popular, Dougie was helped out by many a local man, to name a few, Colin Kirby, Richard Watsham, Simon Perry, Richard Morgan and many more all giving their time for free to teach the children of Mersea. Kate (Dawson)Bredin started judo with Dougie in 1983, when Kate turned senior along with her twin Debbie (Dawson)Spence and Jason King, Dougie thought it was time to hand the club over to his now more experienced trio, Kate and Jason achieved their Black belts aged 19yrs. Jason left and moved to Brighton and Debbie gave up to start a family.
Kate now runs the club with her husband Dave Bredin who she met at the Youth Camp while teaching handicapped children judo, Dave already did a different martial art called Ju-Jitsu, this martial art is where judo came from, Dave is a Black belt 2nd dan in ju-jitsu and fought for England in South Africa, when he came to judo he quickly achieved his goal and earned his Black belt. Caroline Haward has been doing judo since 1986 and gained her Blackbelt in 2002 Caz is a big part of the club who always gives all her support and runs the club if needed.
Over the years the club has produced many great players some going on to win the Amatuer Judo Nationals(Peter & Paul LeMarquand, Caroline Haward, Debbie Dawson, Kate Dawson, Jason King, Ed Parker and Josh Whiting) The club has a exchange to Middelharnnis(Holland) with our good freind Iman Kars who was ranked no3 in the world.
This year Dougie was awarded the M.B.E. for services in youth work and judo, what a great honour for Dougie and Mersea Island Judo Club.
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Dougie Powell M.B.E at Mersea youth club teaching children judo some time in the late 1980's. |
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