Len Dunce - Founder and Head Coach - 1st Dan
Len started Judo late in life in 1969 aged 28 at Basingstoke judo club under John Gowland as a bet. He became fascinated with the techniques and the mechanics of judo, and gradually crept up the various grades.
He started teaching rolls and breakfalls to his son in his back garden on some foam mats covered with a tarpaulin, they were soon joined by neighbours and friends on a Saturday afternoon ‘’ for a bit of fun’’ and it turned out to be the start of a very busy sporting life. Having gained his coaching certificate in 1981, Len was very busy with the running of Summit which had about 50 members and ran twice a week. Weekends were for competitions, Hampshire squad training or courses.
Len gained his Personal Safety Advisors certificate and ran self defence courses for ladies for Hampshire county council alongside the judo club, during this time he studied for his black belt and finally obtained it in 1991.
In 1984 he became a judo referee and covered events for the southern area and the army.
He has now retired from refereeing and spends his time at weekends with his family or organising hosting for the festival of sport if there isn’t a judo course to be arranged or attended or a meeting to go to.
Len has been nominated several times for coach of the year and for services to sport at the Basingstoke sports awards and is very proud to have been nominated.
I think he won the bet that said he was too old for judo.
Paul Hamilton - Club coach - 1st Dan
Paul started Judo in 1983 at the Age of 6 at Summit Judo club with Len Dunce and Derek Brownett. At the age of 13, due to his parents moving away, Paul left Summit, only to return at 21 (1998) with little brother on tow as an excuse to play Judo again.
Since then Paul has worked up the belts again to become a club coach in 2004 and Black Belt in 2009. He takes lessons for the juniors and seniors.
Paul is now teaching 3 nights a week both at Summit Judo club and at AWE Judo club in Tadley where after helping out coach Al Coupland due to an injury he has taken over Al's role.
SInce August 2010 Paul has turned professional by starting up Summit School of Judo see details at the top of the page
Eric Jones - Club Coach - Examiner - National C Referee - 2nd Dan
Eric Started Judo in 1974 after he took his sons to Basingstoke Judo Club run by John Gowland to help with bullying that they were experiencing at school. At the time Eric was a keen footballer but had so much fun at Judo hung his boots up to concentrate on improving his Judo.
Over time he has helped many students including his sons to progress further in judo. Mark is currently a 1st Kyu and Paul has represented Great Britain, is a 2nd Dan Professional Coach and still competing.
Eric Joined Summit J.C. in 2001 when he returned to Basingstoke after 11 years in Devon where he ran several clubs in that time.
Eric is now a Full Time Professional Coach running Eric Jones Judo Academy he teaches in schools around the Reading area 5 days a week.
He also finds time on a Friday to help teach the Junior and Senior sessions and some weekends he referees at various events all voluntarily.
Tony McGuirk - Instructor - 1st Kyu
Bob Wisniewski - Instructor - 1st Kyu
Claire Brown - Instructor - 1st Kyu
Wendy Smith - Assistant - 3rd Kyu
Sarah Whatmore - Child Protection Officer
Sarah is our nominated Child Protection officer for the club and can be contacted on childprotection@summitjudoclub.org.uk regarding any issues within this area.
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We are a very friendly club and have players at all levels.
All Team members are CRB checked by the British Judo Association (BJA)
Coaches are all Qualified by the BJA and hold valid First Aid Certificates.