The La Ronge Judo Club is led by Jeff Irvine, a black belt and level two coach of the National Coaching Certification Program. Jeff has extensive experience in judo, having competed at the national level and coached at the club for many years.

The club offers classes for three different age groups:

• Age 4 and 5 (Parent and Tot): Focuses on physical literacy through fun, safe activities and games on the judo mats. Parents are encouraged to join their child on the mat for these classes.
• Age 6-10: Continues to build physical literacy skills while introducing judo-specific techniques and teachings.
• Age 11 to Adult: Centers around judo-specific techniques with the focus tailored to individual goals, whether for competition, fitness, or personal development.

Classes typically run from September/October to March. Registration for classes takes place once a year in the fall. A registration link will be provided approximately one month before classes start.

The fees are usually less than $100 for the year, which covers membership with Judo Saskatchewan and Judo Canada. Participants not in the Parent and Tot group are required to have a judo uniform. The La Ronge Judo Club offers loaner uniforms for the season, or participants can purchase their own.

Judo emphasizes several core teachings:

• Truth: Demonstrating honor, sincerity, and faith in your teachings.
• Love: Finding inner peace and loving oneself truly.
• Honesty: Walking through life with integrity, accepting and using your gifts.
• Respect: Honoring all creation, living honorably, and treating others with kindness.
• Humility: Recognizing your sacred part in creation, living selflessly, and respecting others.
• Bravery: Facing life with courage, defending what is right, and making positive choices.
• Wisdom: Cherishing knowledge, respecting differences, and continuously learning from life.

Yes, Judo can be an effective form of self-defense, as it teaches techniques to control and subdue opponents safely. The focus on balance and leverage allows individuals to defend themselves against larger or stronger attackers.

Absolutely! The club welcomes individuals of all experience levels, including adults with no prior judo training. Judo is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Yes, some athletes in the club choose to become more competitive and attend tournaments in the province and country. However, participation in tournaments is optional, and the club caters to individuals with different goals, whether competitive or recreational.

Judo can be physically challenging, but the classes are designed to accommodate participants of varying fitness levels. The emphasis on fun and participation ensures that everyone can enjoy and benefit from the sport.