Medkwai Judo Club started in the Medway Towns in a meeting Hall in Luton Road as far back as 1957.  The small collection of novice Judoka studied from text books and visited London clubs to learn more about the sport.

Derek (Tug) Wilson was one of these founder Members and provided some interesting stories for the younger members of the Club at a Medkwai Reunion meeting in 2005.

Jack Cook had finished his time in the Army and started practicing Judo at the age of 35 and continued the development of Medkwai Judo Club while Tug travelled the world.  The Club moved a few times in Chatham and was once at the back of the Old Music Hall before moving to the new Centre in Dock Road (near Command House) with the indoor bowling greens in the early 1970's and Strood Sport Centre from its opening in 1988.  Jack managed the Club for nearly 30 years until his death in 1992.

Since 1992 Medkwai has been managed by a Committee of Members for the benefit of those who participate in the ‘friendly’ sport of JUDO.  This continued to be at the Dock Road dojo until 2004 when it was moved to The St George’s Centre in the University of Greenwich Campus.  From January 2008 the Chatham sessions have been at the  St Mary's Island Community Centre.

Present Day

Coaches and Qualifications

Steve Hunter                2nd Dan            Level 3 BJA Coach  info@medkwai.com

Tony Andrews              1st Dan             Level 3 BJA Coach

Laura Jarvis-Baker       1st Kyu             UKCC Level 2 BJA Coach

Peter Kilcourse            1st  Dan            Level 2 BJA Coach

Ashley Vince                3rd Dan             BJC Regional Coach

Secretary        -                Karen Avery 0135; Jayne Key 2515

Club Welfare Officer -      Katherine White 2515; Laura Jarvis-Baker 0135

 

The Club has now been operating for more than 50 years and is one of the oldest practicing Judo Clubs in Kent.  Medkwai Judo Club has Sport England Club Mark accreditation and Bronze status in the Club Recognition Scheme of the BJA National Governing Body (http://www.clubmark.org.uk/). We are working towards the Silver accreditation.  This certification ensures the high standards of our coaching and of the quality, child care protection, equity and ethics for the Club has in the sport of Judo.