Quarter 4 2024 Highlights from Judo Academy Northampton
What a whirlwind of a quarter—and what a way to close the year! From opening our doors to hosting competitions, celebrating wins, and building memories together, Q4 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary for Judo Academy Northampton.
30 September – Grand Opening & Our New Name
On 30th September 2024, we officially opened the doors to our new judo club at Abington P.D.C, Barry Road, Northampton. The grand opening was a brilliant event, with local families joining us to try judo and meet the team.
This marked the start of a new chapter, and with it, our name officially changed from Northampton Judo Kids to Judo Academy Northampton. Since then, we’ve welcomed lots of new members, received wonderful feedback from families, and grown into a strong, supportive community.
A massive thank you to the anonymous donor, to Michelle for baking the most amazing judo-themed cake 🍰, and to akW dezign for their help in getting us kitted out with brand-new mats.
31 October – Halloween Session
Our first Halloween session was packed with fun! From costumes to games to throws, it was a fantastic evening of laughter, spooky energy, and judo in disguise. It gave our young Judokas a chance to celebrate together and show off their moves (and outfits!) on the mats.
2 November – Neil Adams Masterclass
Coaches Adam and Matt had the honour of attending a masterclass led by Neil Adams at the University of Warwick. A true judo legend, Neil shared high-level techniques and training insights covering:
- Ashi Waza (foot techniques)
- Setups for Tai Otoshi and backwards throws
- Breaking extreme sideways stances
- Kumikata and opposite stance strategies
- Transitions into Newaza with juji gatame
The session was a brilliant opportunity for our coaches to sharpen their skills and bring back fresh techniques for the club.
November – First Merch Drop
We launched our first-ever Dragon Logo t-shirts, and the response was incredible! Seeing our Judokas and families proudly wearing our merch gave us a real sense of identity and pride. More items are on the way in 2025—stay tuned!
30 November – Family Ice Skating Day
Our first Family Day was a huge hit! We brought the Judo Academy Northampton community together at Chester House Estate for an evening packed with:
⛸ Ice skating fun for players, parents, and coaches
🍽️ A warm meal and time to relax
🤓 A competitive judo quiz
⛄ A hilarious toilet paper snowman contest
It was a brilliant way to celebrate together off the mats, strengthen our community bond, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Huge thanks to Oscar for capturing it all in photos!
December – Regional Competition Success
This quarter, we competed in two tournaments, including the Level 3 NHC Regional School Championships 2024 in Brentwood, Essex.
Our players gave it their all, with standout performances across the board:
Luca – Silver
Keira – Bronze
Gabriel – Silver
Andrea – Bronze
The competition was more than just medals—it was a learning experience, a test of character, and a celebration of judo values in action.
21 December – End-of-Year Celebration Session
We closed out the year with a special 2-hour Saturday session, filled with judo and games for all players. There was laughter, energy, and a surprise moment when we discovered Sensei Matt’s true nemesis: hula hoops.
Wrapping Up 2024
This final quarter summed up what Judo Academy Northampton is all about—growth, community, and shared joy.
- We opened our doors and welcomed new families
- Took part in amazing competitions
- Created memories with out-of-dojo events
- Saw visible progress on and off the mats from our players
To all our Judokas, families, and supporters: thank you for making this such a successful and unforgettable year.
We wish you a peaceful holiday, a joyful New Year, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings.
Keep an eye out for exciting content over the break—we’ll see you back on the mats soon!
