10 February 2026
After 18 months of hard work, commitment, and steady progression, we’re incredibly proud to be taking our students to Japan this March for a once-in-a-lifetime judo cultural exchange.
Over the past year and a half, the students have followed a dedicated programme designed to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture, judo history, kata, and leadership skills. This trip represents the culmination of that journey — giving them the chance to experience judo at its source while fully immersing themselves in Japanese culture.
Travelling during the famous sakura (cherry blossom) season, the group will be in Japan at one of the most beautiful times of the year, with the cherry blossoms expected to be in full bloom. Alongside cultural visits and sightseeing, the focus of the trip is learning, exchange, and personal development through judo.
Our journey will take us across several iconic locations, including Tokyo, Hiroshima, Takahama, Osaka, and Kyoto. During the trip, the students will train with multiple clubs and institutions, including our friends at Takahama Judo Club, Neo Dojo, and the Kodokan, along with a few special experiences that we’re keeping as surprises.
This trip is about far more than training alone. It’s about respect, cultural understanding, shared values, and building confidence — lessons that extend far beyond the mat and will stay with the students for years to come.
This journey simply would not have been possible without the incredible support shown by so many people. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the whole club, our parents, everyone who supported the 50/50 club, and our generous sponsors.
We are especially grateful to the following organisations for their belief in our students and their continued support:
Datum2 Ltd
Petrolink
H&R Insurance
Survitec
Ithaca Energy
NMC Energy
Peter Vardy
The Sasakawa Foundation
Your generosity has had a direct and lasting impact, enabling our students to train, learn, and experience judo and Japanese culture at the highest level. We truly couldn’t have done this without you all — thank you.
21 January 2026
