Thanks From Lee

Lee Calder is one of the recipients of Sensei Rick’s Judo scholarships. He plays some stylish judo, has a mean uchimata, and is generally a good guy to have on the mat. He writes:

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Finally a real chance! My judo career so far has consisted of many trips overseas. world champs, asian circuit, commonwealth competitions, oceanias, pacific rims etc I have tried my luck at most. The best i have done is a win at the oceania judo champs after a month training in japan and a month in scotland, edinburgh.I would have loved to have gone back and kept training however this all costs money and my funds and savings eventually dryed up. Is it really worth it putting in all that effort? Your up against overseas judoka who eat, study and train daily without spending a dime as they have financial support from their national organisations.

I thank University Judo Club and Rick Littlewood for giving me an equal opportunity, a chance, and a path that may lead to New Zealands judoka one day being more than just participants internationally.

University Judo emailed me personally and a lot of other athletes and clubs in New Zealand to make them aware of this scholarship. It has just come to my attention that New Zealand judo has some scholarships to France available, I was disheartened to find you had to apply for them two months ago. Makes me wonder why, after numerous training camps, New Zealand judo ask for athletes email addresses and phone numbers???

A big thankyou to University Judo and Rick again for this chance to get some real training where I may actually get the chance to train as hard or even harder than my international opposition. At last.

Regards, 

Lee Calder