Crazy AJA President

Rick posted my email that went out to members with the minutes.

It's time now to grow up and think about what we have taken from being part of the 'Judo family' over the years and think about giving back!

I took on the job as President because the AJA had reached a point at which it seemed reasonable to nominate 'Some Guy' who no-one knew and who didn't even do Judo as the President?????

That's wrong!

Every one of us in Auckland gets a hell of a lot out of being part of the wider Judo community represented by our Association.

Lets stop whinging and bullshitting about the Association and the Judo NZ and lay a few facts on the table:

• Top players have become top players because when they were little kids volunteers organised competitions at which they honed their skills and developed experience.
• Later they probably trained at an Auckland Squad financially supported by the AJA.
• Then fought at the Auckland International Open and won 'points' . I President 14 years ago when the Auckland International Open was started by the AJA. It was proposed to give our players an opportunity to get 'points' without having to travel.  
• Over the years we have paid out considerable amounts of money whether from AJA funds or in funding applications made on behalf of - to players travelling overseas
• But its not just top players that benefit everybody gets the benefits of belonging to one of the biggest sporting organisations in the world:
• A beginner knows that when they start Judo their instructor has had to stand up in front of their peers (the AJA) and demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge and commitment to Judo to  be part of our brand.  
• Judo has a technical structure that ensures that grades mean something.  A Judo belt is backed by an international organisation. When you wear your belt in Britan, Samoa or Azabijern it will be recognized. Why? Because the AJA and the NZJF are recognized members of the wider international Judo community.  
• Judo's technical structure also means that we have good access to international best practice and our coaching is effective and safe.  
• Our instructors have access to training and whether it is technical or first aid or kata  it is provided by the NZJF and AJA and guess what it all costs money from hiring the venue to providing food.  
• Over the years AJA has bought competition mats that all ages and stages have made use of. 
• The AJA has a history of allowing start up clubs the opportunity to use its mats. 

In summary we all benefit from being part of the AJA. But the AJA needs support at this time. We have tough financial decisions to make that will effect everybody.  Don't shout from the sideline ( we've all had a guts full of the whingers) be a grown up and get involved

Contact me anytime if you want to be involved 021 688 289 or ben@benstallworthy.com. 

Get involved. I will be coming to visit all clubs soon.  

Ben - President