By Hayley Robinson

A Judo club which has been running for more than 50
years is appealing for more youngsters to get active and join
up.

Membership at the Young Judo Club, which operates from the
Swale Martial Arts Centre, in East Street, Sittingbourne, has
dwindled over the years from 500 members to 80.

The club was formed in 1957 by Margaret and Nobby Clarke
and is now run by their son Martin Clarke (pictured), who is an 8th
Dan.

Mr Clarke believes the decline in numbers is due to an
"armchair culture" where youngsters are more interested in watching
sports on TV than participating in them.

He said at times only six people attend
lessons.

He said: "Judo was at its peak in the 1970s and early
1980s, when the Young Judo Club had a membership of 500. Sadly
those days have gone, so we are desperately looking for
members.

"Youngsters are more interested in computers and watching
things like cage fighting and wrestling on the TV than
participating in martial arts.

Disciplined

"Children today are not as disciplined as they were 20
years ago and many find attending a well disciplined judo club too
hard physically, emotionally and mentally.

"Strangely all these things were positive attributes years
ago when trying to encourage youngsters. Of course, the recession
is another factor - parents become unemployed and they have to cut
back."

The club runs beginner and intermediate classes for five-
to seven-year-olds at the East Street premises from 6pm to 7pm,
advanced junior classes from 7pm to 8pm and adult judo from 8pm
every Tuesday.

Junior classes are also held at the Academy of Sport and
Movement, which is next door to Nobby's Gym, in Vicarage Road,
Milton Regis, from 7pm to 8pm, and adult judo from 8pm to 9.30pm
every Wednesday.

A junior class is also held at Bredgar Village Hall from
6pm to 7pm every Thursday.

For more information call 07074 200150 or 01795 437124, email ibfbcsa@googlemail.com, or visit www.sittingbourne.org or www.youngjudoclub.co.uk