As a retired RCMP officer, Barrhead Judo Club sensei Dave McKenzie knows the power of judo — not only on the job for self-defense, but as a way to build good citizens.
Judo is a Japanese based martial art, which history can be traced back to its founder Jigaro Kano in 1882. He originally created the martial art as a form of self-defense and modeled the art on jujitsu, which uses throws, joint locks and chokes as its base techniques. However, it has now morphed into more of a sport and since 1964 judo has been a part of the summer Olympic games.
“I have seen it time and time again,” he said, taking a break from instructing his senior class. “It’s all about the self confidence and respect it gives young people that really has a huge beneficial impact on their lives.”
McKenzie gave the example of a young man who was referred to the judo club by his doctor.
His parents took him to their family doctor concerned that his poor performance in school might be a result of a medical condition. The doctor diagnosed the youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but instead of prescribing medication, which doctors often do in cases such as these, he suggested that the youth take up judo. Within a month, the youth showed marked improvement both at school and at home.
“I know it is something I always said I would rather be chasing them (youths) on the mat rather than on the street,” he said.
Although McKenzie said there are many activities that offer similar benefits to youths, he believes judo and martial arts has the ability to reach people who choose not to or cannot take part in conventional team sports.
One of the reasons is cost.
McKenzie said unlike sports such as football and hockey, judo is relatively inexpensive.
“All you need is your uniform or gi which costs about $65 and then it’s just a matter of your fees and since we are all volunteers they go directly to making sure all the equipment is of top quality,” he said.
McKenzie added the other benefit of judo is that they don’t feel as much pressure.
“In a team sport, like hockey, kids can feel the pressure of not performing up to team standards, because if they make a mistake it can impact the whole team, but that isn’t the case in judo,” he said. “Whatever happens in a match, if they make a mistake or don’t perform how they think they should, the only person it affects is themselves and I think that is a big part of why martial arts’ popularity is growing, not just generally, but in Barrhead.”
McKenzie has seen the club grow substantially since he first joined the club in 1994.
Back then, the it was much more of an informal group than a club.
“We used to meet in a conference room above the [Alberta] Treasury Branch where we had about 30 mats and about 10 students,” he said, adding it didn’t take long after his arrival before they outgrew the location, moving to various other locations in Barrhead.
Currently the club has a storefront location in the Mall and has somewhere between 60 and 70 students ranging in age from five years old to late teens.
In fact, it has gotten to the point where the club has had to turn away students, but luckily they have been able to refer them to the other martial arts organizations that have started since then. The Judo Club also houses karate and jujitsu groups.
“We are all one community and help each other and students out whenever we can because at the end of the day we are all trying to do the same thing,” he said. “It’s not about trophies on the wall — it’s about the self confidence and respect you have inside. I always say it is not about building good athletes, but good citizens.”
