NEWS:
We are starting gradings of many of our students. Letters will be given out over the next week or so.
Good luck to all those selected.
  
         
Gleeson Judo  teaches in schools in and around Bath, Bristol and if fact all over the ‘West Country’. All ages are taught, from Year 2 state primary schools pupils all the way up to Sherborne School’s (Dorset) sixth form. Classes can run before school, during lunch breaks or after school. Gleeson Judo is committed to delivering quality Judo education to its client schools and their pupils with professionally qualified staff. Please read on for more information about Judo, the working of Gleeson Judo and the history there of.    

                                                                                                                                    


JUDO, A BRIEF HISTORY:



                                                    Professor J. Kano circa 1900

Judo is a physical education activity started in Japan in the late nineteenth century (1882) by a leading Physical Educationalist of the time, Profession J. Kano. Being steeped in the ‘Self Help’ philosophy of English philosophers of that period, which was so popular in that epoch of Japanese history - such as J.S. Mill and Bentham, Kano intended using judo through its physical training to turn its participants into useful and worthwhile members of Japanese post Restoration society. Developing Judo from his own experience in “martial arts” Kano took the best from disciplines including Jujitsu as a basis for the skills to be used in this new sport of judo. Since those early days Judo has progressed into a popular international sport, featured in the Olympics since 1964. Judo’s objectives are still very much relevant today.



                                                                        K. Inoue. Modern Judo

Benefits from Judo:


The physical attributes of judo training for the individual tackle all of the following issues: core strength/stability, both fine and gross motor skill development, increased cardiovascular strength, coordination, physical confidence, balance, general fitness and social interaction. Self discipline with a moral perspective on fair play and cooperation with peers in working towards a mutual goal - skill improvement! Judo is a combat sport where all the skills are fully tested by the individual student in a controlled and carefully orchestrated manor in accordance with their level by the teacher. These skills can then be turn to self-defense if so required (although not encouraged at school!). There are not blows or kicks within Judo. Gleeson Judo is concerned only with the Physical Education elements of Judo in its classes.


If you wish to know more or you feel this doesn't answer your concerns please click the email link below to inquire further -


finn@gleesonjudo.com



 

Finn Gleeson
runs Gleeson Judo in partnership with his wife. He was trained in his early judo career by his father (see below). This training stood him in good stead when he went to Japan and trained in several of the top training centres there, mainly the Kodokan International Judo Institute, set up by Judo’s founder Professor Kano, Nippon Taku Daigaku (Japanese National P.E. University) and Waseda University to name but three of many. He won his Third Dan Black Belt from the Kodokan International Judo Institute before returning to the UK in 2001, to complete an MA in Fine Art at Wimbledon School of Art.


                                                                       F. Gleeson  & friends at the Kodokan, Japan 2000



Finn completed his PGCE in 1990 and has QTS.(Qualified Teacher Status) Plus a 'Level 2' (Club Coach) Judo Coaching Certificate. Finn has taught in schools for 20 years, teaching many different subjects in many different educational institutions both in Japan and the UK. His last post before starting Gleeson Judo was as Head of  the Art Department, in a Secondary school in the 'East End' of London. During his early career he assisted at his father's coaching seminars, which tackled many avant-garde issues in sport.


Many of his qualifications are focused around Art, having a B.A. (Hons), PGCE  (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) and an M.A. in Fine Art. He has had numerous exhibitions worldwide and a diverse clientele for his artwork. He continues to work in what little time is available after Gleeson Judo (see links below).


F.P.Gleeson. “Judo 3” Oil on Tile. 2005. Sold



GLEESON JUDO FAMILY HISTORY

The history of the Gleeson family’s involvement in Judo goes back over 60 years. G.R.Gleeson’s (Finn's father) successfully participated in the first European Championships after WWII in 1951. Following that he was the first Special Student at the Kodokan, Japan after the war. G. R. Gleeson's teacher was a very famours  man of many talents, T. P. Legett. Who in turn was introduced to Judo by  Tani, famous in  the music halls of the early 20c. Returning to the UK G.R. Gleeson was British Team Captain (1955-8) winning the European Campionships. Then became the first Judo National Coach from 1960 to 1973. Finn started Judo in the early '80s, leaving for Japan in 1992. Finn competed in competitions both in Japan and the UK.


        G. R. Gleeson giving a seminar  circa 1990

G.R.GLEESON is still very famous in the Judo world. His achievements include: international competition results, award winning films and a prolific list of book titles (soon to be republished by Fighting Films - see links below) also to his name. He also set up coaching schemes in numerous countries including the USA, Norway, Sweden, Australia and others. He was posthumously awarded a 9th Dan in 1994.



 
                                      T.P. Legett & G. R. Gleeon Kata demonstration 1956.


GLEESON JUDO PHILOSOPHY

It is the principles of both the founder Kano and G.R.Gleeson that form the philosophy of Gleeson Judo. The curriculum is focused on bringing about efficient Judo education for our school children. Whether they go on to compete at international or Olympic level or simply enjoy their time at school with us, we intend to give them all the knowledge they need to be successful.  Our curriculum  is constantly  being  reviewed and updated as experiences from the teaching and learning process indicate. We intend that the students enjoy their time with us and therefore include many games. However these games always have a very specific and important Judo principle within them. As much time as possible is given over to the practise of the skills being learnt.  A  serious  attitude is expected as the most fun is got from improvement.


TRAINING SESSION INFORMATION.


All students must have a judo suit. Gleeson Judo can offer the rental or sale of one (prices provided on request). We recommend rental for our younger students so with growth suits can be easily exchanged with us. Gleeson Judo also provide high quality mats for training on. No jewellery should be worn. Girls would benefit from T-shirts under their judo jackets. Shoes should always be worn while off the mat, this ensures a reasonable level of hygiene but not on the mats! While suits are being arranged for students, P.E. kit can be worn temporally-usually only for the first week. Any further information will be happily answered via the email link or by phone:-

 
For any further enquiries please click the email

Link:finn@gleesonjudo.com

Or telephone (44) 7810790039
 

Judo Links:

http://www.kodokan.org/


http://www.britishjudo.org.uk/


http://www.fightingfilms.com/


http://www.waldersladejudo.co.uk/links.php


http://www.bjc-mac.co.uk/

http://www.mesh-digital.com/BSJA/

http://sherborne.org

http://www.combedown.com/our-clubs/judo.html


Other links:

http://www.finngleeson.com/


http://www.galleries-online.co.uk/FinnGleeson


http://www.bathrhythmic.co.uk/


http://www.picton-sportscars.co.uk/


http://www.blandinemartin.com/