Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A recent one-day judo camp will help the members of the Fort Simpson Judo Club reach their potential, according to the club's sensei.

Mario Des Forges, right, and Maxence Jaillet demonstrate kuzure-kesa-gatame, a mat hold, to youths in the Fort Simpson Judo Club during a full-day judo clinic on Nov. 19. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

On Nov. 19, Mario Des Forges and Maxence Jaillet, two black-belt judo instructors from Yellowknife, led the club's members, ages 10 and older, in a day of judo practice. The clinic will help create a standard of practice for the club that is similar to those elsewhere in Canada, said Dean Harvey, the club's sensei.

"This all-day clinic helps us take the judo club to the next level of intensity," he said.

The clinic started with team warm-up exercises designed to build skills used in judo followed by workouts done in teams of two.

In the afternoon, Des Forges and Jaillet used games to increase the competitiveness in the club and to test self-control.

"We had a great time and great fun," said Des Forges.

The clinic was about developing a passion for judo and to support Harvey, said Des Forges, the president of the NWT Judo Association.

"A guy like Dean is very important for developing the passion in the kids," he said.

Des Forges said judo is about much more than just practising the martial art.

"We develop the kids to be a better human being," he said.

Judo challenges its students to develop leadership and communication skills as well as self-esteem. Self-control and learning to take care of your partner is also emphasized, said Des Forges.

Judo instructors also influence their judoka's – judo students – habits, including sleep patterns and eating. If you don't get enough sleep, you can't expect to do well in judo the next day, Des Forges said.

Judo is also very inclusive, he said, regardless of gender or body type.

"We have a place for everybody in judo," said Des Forges.

Chasity Isaiah, 10, was one of the participants in the clinic. Isaiah, who is in her first year in judo, said she enjoyed learning how to do break falls and hold downs.

"It was cool and fun," she said.

Break falls – correct falling techniques – were also one of the highlights for Jordanna Snider. Snider, 12, said she liked learning more about judo at the clinic.

"It was fun and exciting," she said.

In addition to teaching the youths, Des Forges and Jaillet led a volunteer development program on Friday night for the club's coaches and assistant coaches. Harvey said the coaches, including himself, used the clinic on Saturday as a time to put into practice what they'd learned.

First Air sponsored the clinic by assisting with the cost of airfare for Des Forges and Jaillet.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.