Why the change in Club Name
Hollywater Judo Club are part of The Witley Family of Judo Club’s. Hollywater Judo Club is now known as Spirit of Hollywater Judo. The slight change in name is as a result of amalgamating Spirit Judo into Hollywater Judo and also to avoid confusion with Hollywater School which is where the club name originated from in its beginnings.
Our New Home
We are based at Walton Oak School, Ambleside Avenue, Walton on Thames, Surrey, KT12 3LN The club training times are Every Thursday during School Term Time. We have one Juniors session which starts at 5pm and finishes at 6:30pm. We also run a Seniors session on an adjacent Tatami Mat which starts at 5:30pm and finishes at 6:30pm.
Why are WE different to Other Clubs
We state we are a Club with a Difference well we are, at Spirit of Hollywater Judo Club we put ABILITY back into disABILITY. With TWO very strict exceptions EVERY CHILD can take part in Judo at Spirit of Hollywater Judo regardless of Disability or Financial Ability. Unfortunately that being said; there is some disabilities that are of a specific injury type (and the parents will know if their child’s disability is affected) that means they cannot do any form of sport.
Spirit of Hollywater Judo Club is a Registered and Licenced Judo Club with the SPORTS Governing Body The British Judo Association, we are also the ONLY Judo Club in SURREY that is Registered with The Special Olympics Great Britain, and since September 2021 Spirit of Hollywater Judo Club became the only Judo Club in Surrey to be Accredited with British Blind Sport and we are now a British Blind Sport Signposted Club.
ALL coaches and club officers have ENHANCED CRB and the Coaches have undergone additional specialised training to teach Disability Judo including VI Judo
Hollywater Judo Club’s History
Hollywater Judo Club started as an after school club, at Hollywater School in 2010. This was a specialist school for Children with Additional Needs. Following various changes within the school back in the early part of 2017 (beyond club & school control) the club moved out into the community.
Following the Clubs decision to move into the community, The Hersham Community Trust offered the use of their hall for a reduced rental and so in December 2017 The Hersham Community Centre in Burhill Road Hersham became the home of Hollywater Judo Club. However due to the owners of the land in front of the Hersham Community Centre refusing to renew the access lease (access that the Hersham Community Trust have had for over 30 years) it has become necessary for the Club to find a new home in the local area, Walton Oak School have a similar philosophy as Hollywater Judo Club in that “No Child Shall be Discriminated Against because of financial or disability reasons” and we are very pleased to be part of the Walton Oak School community, as well as very thankful that the school stepped up and kindly offered us a new home.
In January 2024 Hollywater Judo Club became Spirit of Hollywater Judo Club. In September 2024, the club started its Seniors sessions at 5:30pm on Thursday’s.
