GLEESON JUDO
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 (if you are considering joining one of our school clubs please make sure you look over our "General Information" page).
Finn Gleeson
runs Gleeson Judo in partnership with his wife. He was trained in his early judo career by his father G. R. Gleeson (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.
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 and its coaching. Finn started doing
Judo 'seriously' from the early '80s, leaving for Japan in 1992. Finn competed in competitions both in Japan and the UK. He was also present at many international competitions from an extremely early age, while his father worked, coaching the British squads.
Many of his qualifications are focused around Art, having a B.A. (Hons), P.G.C.E . (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).
runs Gleeson Judo in partnership with his wife. He was trained in his early judo career by his father G. R. Gleeson (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; Simon Hicks (Fighting Films),
Bob Willingham (ex- IJF Photographer) & Mat Carter
at the Kodokan, Japan 2000
Many of his qualifications are focused around Art, having a B.A. (Hons), P.G.C.E . (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).
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. While studying in Japan G. R.
Gleeson lived with Kano's daugher's family, the Takasuki family in Yokohama. G R Gleeson's teacher, Mr. T P Legett was a very famours Judo man of many talents, a Chess Master, concert pianist, prolific writter of books on Zen, among many other things. T P Legit was introduced to Judo by Tani, famous in the
music halls of the early 20c. for taking on "all comers" with the skills of Jujitsu. This also connecting to Kano and his early development.
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.
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 hopefully 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.
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.
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 hopefully 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.
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