Yellow Belt Challenge engages young people in judo

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Judo is a martial art with both physical and mental benefits, all contributing to an improved self confidence and positive outlook in participants. Added to the positive atmosphere of a club with a role model in the form of a coach, judo is an ideal sport for young people. The Yellow Belt Challenge, ran in partnership with the Fighting Chance project, is providing funding for young people aged 11-25 who come under one of the following headings: 

  • Suffers from a disability
  • Victim of crime and/or bullying
  • Engages in low level anti-social behaviour
  • Low self-confidence
  • Poor academic performance/recently excluded or at risk of being excluded from education
  • From a poor or disadvantaged background
The Yellow Belt Challenge engages the young person into their local judo club where they participate in judo alongside other young people already attending the club. By offering help with free British Judo membership, judo suit and gradings, the project is making a difference to a lot of young people.
 
Coach at Coach at BCHS school, Beach and Shadsworth Judo clubs, Joe Burns commented on the project:

“Thanks to the fighting chance project we have increased our club numbers to 17 students who now hold a licence, with quite a few more thinking of joining, many of my students would not be able to access Judo without the help from you guys. Of course they could participate but the licence, Judo suit and gradings really set them on their way to staying in our great sport.”

“Last week on the 29th June we took 17 students to the Lancashire championships and it was a rip roaring success, the students really embraced the spirit of Judo and although they were new to Judo they all put up a good fight and the comments we received from them and their parents was very encouraging.

Joe added: “We took eight students to the Lancashire development training session held at St Christophers school in the next town to us, the students really embraced the spirit of Judo, trained well with other students and made some new friends, this is what Judo to me is all about and with you helping us its making it a touch easier.”

Want more information on the project? Think you or your club could benefit? Contact info@fightingchanceproject.co.uk or visit www.yellowbeltchallenge.co.uk