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Hampshire’s long-serving
judo stalwart Keith Adams has retired from his position as Area
Chairman after 27 years in the role.
Keith, 73, a noted 4th
Dan and member of Ringwood Judo Club, stood down at the Hampshire
AGM a fortnight ago while Carol Digby also called time on her
role as Hampshire Secretary after 14 years in position. Gordon
Kemish is the new Hampshire Chairman while Simon Lee has took
on the Secretary role.
The distinguished veteran
started his judo journey in the 1960’s when he started training
in the Olympic sport at Halesowen Judo Club. In March 1962 he
joined the British Judo Association as a member and has been continuously
ever since.
After a spell at Matsumachi
Judo Club in Dorset, the respected judo stalwart joined Kawa Zoi
Machi Judo Club in 1974 which later changed its name to Ringwood
Judo Club and remains a member.
Keith enjoyed a stellar
career as a competitive judoka, winning medals at county, area
and national competitions as well as events in France and Spain.
The Ringwood Judo Club
member captained the Hampshire County team from 1966 – 1971 and
later achieved success in the British Veterans competition as
he claimed gold in 1984 and 1988, as well as silver medals in
1986 and 1987.
The all-rounder qualified
as a club coach, referee and examiner in 1972 and was promoted
to senior examiner in 1985.
Keith has occupied many
distinguished roles in the sport with the most noted being his
tenure from 1984 – 2011 as Chairman of the BJA Hampshire Management
Committee.
The 4th Dan was also a
member of the BJA Southern Area Committee from 1993 – 2007 while
also acting as a Director of Examiners for the Southern Area from
2005 – 2007.
Keith was a member of a
group trialling the none-competitive mon grade system, was instrumental
in rewriting the BJA Southern Area Constitution and was an advisor
to the BJA during Lesley-Anne Alexander’s spell as Chairman.
“I never thought or envisaged
that I would hold the position of Chairman for anywhere near that
length of time when Pete Johnson asked me in April 1984 following
the retirement of Liz Viney to stand for Chairman,” said
Keith in his final Chairman’s report.
“By and large it’s been
a good 27 years for Hampshire Judo. The county has more clubs
and more players – in fact more of everything than any other Southern
Area County and in some ways bigger than some of the BJA areas.
What we don’t have though is a ‘Centre of Excellence’ a major
dojo like Dartford or Croydon, and I think this is something that
the new Chairman might like to think about.
“And so to close I must
say that serving Hampshire Judo for 27 hasn’t always been a pleasure
but I think the ups far outweigh the downs. I wish the new Chairman
all the best and if Gordon needs any help or advice I’m only a
phone call away.
“Thanks to you all for
making my job so easy.”
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