resumption of contact sports, fewer judokas on the tatami mats

As a result of long months of interruption or distancing during the health crisis, the judo federation is facing a drop in the number of licensees. At the time of the reopening of the rooms, the clubs are striving to attract new followers.

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For young judo practitioners in Angers, the distances imposed by the health protocol are over. But this long period of absence has left traces among the workforce: for lack of being able to rub shoulders with an opponent or to invest in the competition, practitioners have ended up getting bored.

“Two thirds of the licensees returned to the club, mainly among the youngest, the smallest. The under 11s are back at club level, says Vincent Blandineau, technical advisor Judo Committee 49. For teenagers it remains a little more difficult, the return is currently being made.“

Maintain the link with the licensees

In Pays de la Loire, judo clubs have lost 8,000 licensees in just over a year; one in three judo licenses is not renewed. While some clubs are struggling, others are doing better.

The Durtal dojo, for example, still displays around fifty judokas at the time of the resumption. “He resumes with a smile, he will be able to resume without the mask, explains Benoît Goisbeaut., a judoka dad. He will be able to resume completely, including competitions next year.“

Here, lessons have always been maintained since the start of the epidemic, first behind a computer and then in the open air. An essential effort to maintain the motivation of the group.

“We always clung to keep them, testifies a teacher from the Durtal judo club, Lucie Rinck. We have always kept this link which was important, young people and teenagers were really asking. So I would say we lost those who didn’t really like judo. Some did not do the lessons outdoors at all, because the parents said: “our son does not want to”. There are three or four that we find there on the carpet, with a smile. We have no loss of licensees.”

To help the clubs to recover, the judo federation has set up a recovery plan by offering registration to new licensees until the end of the summer. So far, 600 practitioners have benefited from it in the region.

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