BJA London Area Chairman's Report

London Area BJA Chairman’s' Report March 2010

The past year has been an extraordinarily eventful one, thanks to efforts of my colleagues on the London Area Committee. During our first year in office we were pleased to report a sustained increase in membership with the growth in member clubs from 36 to 42. This year the number of individual memberships taken out have increased 100% compared to 42% in the previous year.

How has this been achieved? I believe this has been the result of improved communication comprising a number of key elements:

• Launch of the London Area Web site in July 2009
• Invitation to key professionals to our committee meetings to facilitate effective dialogue with paid BJA employees.
• Establishment of a competition commission to prioritise, plan and deliver an appropriate competitive framework.
• Improved coaching which has led to increased retention and participation of our members.
• The Display at the Tate Modern galvanised the London Team.
• The decision to fully fund participation at the National Team Championships thereby investing in our future talent.
• Hiring a hospitality box at the World Cup to showcase our development plan and invite in London Area members and guests to share ideas.
• Hosting the Masters and the Band A Nationals in Dagenham.
• Supporting youngsters at the Tonbridge International Training Camp.
• Attendance at the National Technical Conference.
• Contribution to debate at the Area Chairmen’s Meeting, with particular reference to the Commonwealth Tournament.

There have been many successes but we have also had disappointments, notably the failure to secure an Excel Judo venue here in London despite the fact that the London Area has 19 individuals named on the junior and cadet squads. The BJA has set aside £1.8 million to fund this and although we can put on an impressive team of coaches including Ray Stevens, Darcel Yandzi and Kose Inoue for the next ten months we were unsuccessful in our bid.

On a more positive note I have secured an arrangement with the Seni organisers to host a London Open International at the Olympic Venue for the next three years up until 2012. This is a massive achievement as the hire of the hall alone is £130,000. This year the event will take place on 29th May and we are all working hard to ensure its success. Your continued support is vital to make this and other events successful and to achieve our goal of making the London Area Ichiban within the BJA.

Peter Blewett
London Area Chairman BJA