I started Judo at the age of 10, coached by my father &

John Pluckrose who together, ran Crawley Judo Club.

At the age of 12 years I was winning County medals & a year later I won my first National medal. I was a member of the U21 Olympic Squad which was formed to feed young talent into the Senior Olympic Squad.

I represented the Southern Area at international competitions in France & Sweden.

I was awarded my 1st Dan at the age of 19 years.

At the age of 22 years I had an industrial accident & lost 2 1/2

fingers from my left hand, which put an end to my fighting career.

Undeterred I qualified as a coach & started Horsham Judo Club. Encouraged by my father who was a National Referee, I qualified as a referee & rose to European B Referee with my high point of refereeing the final of the European Team Championship in 1990.

I was elected to the Sussex Committee in 1976 & served for over 25 years, holding the positions of treasurer, squad manager, refereeing representative, grading officer & finally retired as chairman.

I served at Area & National level as the Refereeing registrar & was involved in the conception of the Junior Referee award

in this country & the re-writing of the Association Rule book for referees. I am currently the Area Director of Examiners

for the Southern Area

In running the club for over 35 years I have produced many black belts, some have gone on to represent the BJA at international level (see the Club Role of Honour)