Gawler Judo Club is a sports club located in Gawler, South Australia. They train at the Gawler Sports and Community Centre on Nixon Terrace on Monday and Thursday evenings. The training sessions are divided into two categories, with juniors training from 6:30pm to 8:00pm and seniors training from 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
The club caters to individuals of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced participants. Membership for the club is available for a fee of $10. Lessons are charged in blocks of 10 lessons, with a cost of $60 for each block. For beginners, judogi (Judo uniform) hire is available.
The club occasionally has days off due to public holidays or special events. For example, they do not train on Adelaide Cup Day, and they have breaks for the Christmas school holidays. Training resumes on the specified dates.
The club also participates in various competitions and tournaments. They have hosted the Summer Championship Competition, and their members have competed in events such as the Adelaide Open Junior Judo Tournament and the Junior Inter-Club Competition.
The club has a team of qualified coaches, including Brian Beeching, who is a 2nd Dan NCAS Club Level State Referee and National Kata Judge. Peter Cusick, a 2nd Dan NCAS Club Level National Referee and National Kata Judge, and Rick Hudson, also a 2nd Dan NCAS Club Level, serve as assistant coaches.
Judo offers numerous benefits to its practitioners. It is a contact sport that helps develop physical, moral, and psychological strength. Physically, it teaches balance, coordination, efficiency of movement, and skills of falling safely, while also providing self-defence skills. Mentally, it assists in building self-confidence, respect for others, and self-discipline.
Judo requires not only moving one's body efficiently but also someone else's, which helps develop good balance, concentration, and agility.
Overall, Gawler Judo Club is a welcoming sports club that provides a space for individuals to learn and improve their skills in the discipline of Judo.