OUR HISTORY

Our Club's Long History

Medkwai Judo Club was founded in 1957 and is one of the longest running judo clubs in Kent. On this page you can find out more about the history of the club. The photo above shows the 1988 membership.

Beginnings

Medkwai Judo Club started in the Medway Towns in a meeting hall in Luton Road as far back as 1957. The small collection of novice Judoka studied from text books and visited London clubs to learn more about the sport.

Derek (Tug) Wilson was one of these founder members and provided some interesting stories for the younger members of the club at the Medkwai reunion meeting in 2005.

Jack Cook had finished his time in the army and started practicing judo at the age of 35. He contined the development of Medkwai Judo Club while Tug travelled the world.

Jack managed the club for nearly 30 years until his death in 1992.

Since 1992 Medkwai has been managed by a Committee of Members for the benefit of those who participate in the 'friendly' sport of judo.

Venue

The club moved a few times in Chatham and was once at the back of the Old Music Hall before moving to the new centre in Dock Road (near Command House) with the indoor bowling greens in the early 1970's and Strood Sports Centre from its opening in 1988.

In 2004, the club was moved to the St George's Centre in the University of Greenwich Campus.

Then, in January 2008, the Chatham sessions moved to St Mary's Island Community Centre. After 5 years at the SMICC, Medkwai Judo Club relocated to the judo centre at Medway Park Sports Centre in Gillingham.

Present Day

In 2018 Medkwai Judo moved closer to the new developments on the outskirts of Maidstone. St Peter's Village, Holborough, Halling and Wouldham.