Devizes Judo Club
Prices and Terms & Conditions
Judo Instructors/Committee Members
Richard "Razz" Hopkins is our Club Treasurer and is a Level 3 coach and 6th Dan. Razz proudly wears the coveted red and white belt of that grade. He is also the club "Kodansha" which is a Japanese term meaning High ranking Judoka – 5th Dan and above. Razz's father was one of the founding members of Devizes Budo Club in 1957. Razz started at Devizes Budo Club in 1966/67 and competed from 1974 to 2009. Razz won National Veterans and British Masters in 1996 and in the national Team Championships he took Bronze in 2003. Razz also competed in the IJF Veteran World Championships 2009 finishing fantastically in 7th place. Razz was awarded his Coaching Licence in 1992 and has been a National C Referee since 2008. Razz was also a Games Maker during the London 2012 Olympics.
Jason Parsons is the Head Coach and joined Devizes Judo Club in 1995 at the age of ten. Jason started competing shortly after and later progressed onto the British Cadet and Junior squads in his teenage years. As a senior Jason won medals at the British Championships which gained him a place on the British Senior squad whilst also studying and training at University of Bath. Jason has also won other titles such as English Open Champion and British Universities Champion. Jason started coaching at Devizes Judo the age of 20, helping out on a casual basis. In 2010 Jason was named as one of the Western Area coaching team and in 2013 he became the Head coach at Devizes Judo. Over the years Jason has supported the coaching of the England junior squads, and officially became one of the England coaching team members in 2017. Jason is qualified to UKCC Level 4 and is currently undertaking the MSc Advanced Coaching Practice, due to be completed in 2020.
Mark Burbidge is the Assistant Level 3 Coach and our Club Chairman. Mark was awarded his 1st dan by the BJA in 1990 and his 2nd dan in 1995. Mark won the Gold at the British Schools aged 15 and was also a member of the Western Area who won the team event at the British Schools. He also won a bronze medal at the British Nationals. Mark became a professional coach in 1996, was made an honorary life member of Devizes Budo Club in 1997 and made Wiltshire Judo coach in 2000. Mark is now a professional Judo Coach working all over Wiltshire and adjoining counties teaching the combat sport to school children of all ages. Mark along with Jason Parsons, were both awarded the prestigious title of Club Coach of the year at the National 2015 British Judo Association's annual awards. The duo fought off competition from all over Britain which was a fantastic achievement. Mark is also the Wiltshire squad coach. Mark has been involved with the club since 1978 when he first started training as a very young judoka and has competed for many years representing club, county and country along the way.
Jerard Mckay 1st Dan Level 2 Coach. Jerard started training at the club in 1982 at aged 12 under coach Rob Hayter. He started competing straight away winning County, Western Area and National medals all the way into senior Judo. Jerard very much benefited at this time from the club enjoying a wealth of very talented judoka like Robert Wixon, Mark Emery, Mark Burbidge, Razz Hopkins and many more who he trained alongside. Also Julian Davis who went onto compete in the Atlanta Olympics and a fact the club is very proud off. Jerard successfully qualified as a BJA level 2 coach 8 years ago and coaches along side Razz and Mark on a Friday evening. Jerards daughter also trains at the club and is a member of the Devizes squad and has also been on the England squad and competed nationally winning a number off national medals and internationally in Holland.
Other Committee Members
Steven Cottle is the Child Welfare Officer for Devizes Judo Club. Steven is the first point of contact for staff/volunteers, parents and children where there are concerns for a child's welfare. Steven can be contacted on safeguarding@devizesjudo.co.uk Steven has been a committee member of Devizes Budo Club since May 2016. Steven has occasionally ventured onto the mat to train in Judo and once spent over 12 hours training in one session when the club did a marathon 24hr session back in March 2015. Steven has three children (Harvey, Tilly & Archie) All three are squad members.
Karen Creasey-Cottle is our Volunteer Coordinator and mum to Harvey, Tilly and Archie. Karen is the go to person for all new members, membership subscriptions, and monthly mat fees. Please speak to Karen should you have any questions. Karen is also first aid trained.
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