Marcel Joling
Regiotrainer, -21 & +21
Read moreRead news about Marcel JolingTalentpartner Judoteam Groningen
Your judo talent. The next step.
Talentpartner Judoteam Groningen (hereinafter Judoteam Groningen) connects club judo and elite sport. With regional training, a full-time programme aligned with your education, and support at international competitions and training camps, we help you keep growing.
100
judoka in regional training
25
judoka in the full-time programme
3
judoka progressed to Papendal (2022-2026)
Introduction
The link between club judo and elite sport
Judoteam Groningen helps ambitious judoka take the step towards elite sport. Judoka remain members of their home club and follow an additional talent programme with us: a full training offer and guidance towards the highest level.
Judoteam Groningen is one of the designated talent partners of the Dutch Judo Federation (JBN). Together with the talent partners in Heerde and Heerenveen we form the network in the North-East region. In close cooperation with the federation we work on talent development and progression to the National Training Centre (NTC) at Papendal.
Our programme has room for around 75 judoka, spread across the under-15, under-18, under-21 and 21+ age groups. From young talents to experienced competition judoka: we support every athlete in the next step of their development.
Talent development with results
With TeamNL we agreed that every four years one judoka from our talent programme progresses to the full-time programme at Papendal. In the past four years three of our judoka made that step.
National selection
Talent partner
Partner clubs
Working together on judo talent
Your home judo club remains the foundation. Judoteam Groningen offers talented judoka extra training and guidance, forming the link between club judo and the national selection.
Together with the clubs
In close cooperation with local judo clubs we follow, develop and guide talented judoka from the region and sometimes beyond. Talented judoka are invited to regional training sessions in consultation with their club. These are led by the regional coach and Judoteam Groningen coaches.
Extra training, further growth
Judoka may also be invited to a part-time or full-time programme. Besides club and regional training they attend extra judo and strength sessions in the morning one or more times per week. Participation is by invitation from our coaches and requires an additional fee.
Guidance towards elite sport
Our support goes beyond training sessions. We also assist judoka at training camps and national and international competitions. Our coaches coordinate with the regional coach and federation coaches on each judoka’s development and possible selection for international events.
Training options overview
All sessions are facilitated by the talent partner programme. Full-time judoka follow the morning programme; another group takes part in regional training only.
Monday evening regional training
Monday 17:45–19:15 for judoka up to and including U16; 19:15–20:45 for judoka older than 16.
Monday
- Time
- 7:45 – 9:00
- Session
- Strength training
- Age cat.
- U21/21+
- Location
- Alfa College Kardingerweg
Monday
- Time
- 9:00 – 10:00
- Session
- Technical training
- Age cat.
- U21/21+
- Location
- Topsport Talent School
Monday
- Time
- 8:00 – 9:00
- Session
- Technical training
- Age cat.
- U15/U18
- Location
- Topsport Talent School
Monday
- Time
- 9:00 – 10:00
- Session
- Physical training
- Age cat.
- U15/U18
- Location
- Topsport Talent School
Wednesday
- Time
- 8:00 – 9:15
- Session
- Strength training
- Age cat.
- U21/21+
- Location
- Alfa College Kardingerweg
Wednesday
- Time
- 8:30 – 9:45
- Session
- Physical training
- Age cat.
- U18
- Location
- Alfa College Kardingerweg
Thursday
- Time
- 8:15 – 9:30
- Session
- Technical training
- Age cat.
- U15/U18/U21/21+
- Location
- Alfa College Kardingerweg
Friday
- Time
- 8:15 – 9:15
- Session
- Strength training
- Age cat.
- U18/18+
- Location
- Alfa College Kardingerweg
Friday
- Time
- 9:15 – 10:15
- Session
- Conditioning
- Age cat.
- U18/18+
- Location
- Alfa College Kardingerweg
| Day | Time | Session | Age cat. | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7:45 – 9:00 | Strength training | U21/21+ | Alfa College Kardingerweg |
| 9:00 – 10:00 | Technical training | U21/21+ | Topsport Talent School | |
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Technical training | U15/U18 | Topsport Talent School | |
| 9:00 – 10:00 | Physical training | U15/U18 | Topsport Talent School | |
| Wednesday | 8:00 – 9:15 | Strength training | U21/21+ | Alfa College Kardingerweg |
| 8:30 – 9:45 | Physical training | U18 | Alfa College Kardingerweg | |
| Thursday | 8:15 – 9:30 | Technical training | U15/U18/U21/21+ | Alfa College Kardingerweg |
| Friday | 8:15 – 9:15 | Strength training | U18/18+ | Alfa College Kardingerweg |
| 9:15 – 10:15 | Conditioning | U18/18+ | Alfa College Kardingerweg |
Costs
- Regional training€ 15 per month
- Morning sessions via Topsport Talent School (TTS)Free
- General morning sessions (full-time programme)€ 240 per year
The people behind the talent partner programme
Besides regional coach Marcel Joling, several enthusiastic coaches guide our judoka in their development. They are supported by a wider team with expertise in medical support, strength training and mental coaching.
Our volunteers are indispensable. With their time, energy and commitment they help make training, competitions and events possible. Together with the coaches, the support team and the board, they ensure our judoka can grow on and off the mat.
Simon Leistra
Trainer -21 & +21
Read moreRead news about Simon Leistra
Veronique Akkermans
Wietse Swart
Trainer -18
Read moreOpen external link for Wietse Swart
Cheyenne van der Sluis
Trainer -15
Sarah Hector
Trainer -15
Jelmer Eijzenga
Trainer -15
Ramon Klok
Krachttrainer -18/-21
Medical guidance
For the 2026/2027 season, Judoteam Groningen offers sports medical guidance to judoka who take part in the full-time programme. The focus is on preventing injuries and supporting athletic performance. Short lines of communication between coaches, therapists, physicians, judoka and their parents enable quick coordination, including for acute complaints.
Judo and education
We combine training with education at every level: primary school, secondary (TTS), MBO, HBO (Hanze University) and university (University of Groningen).
Talent development
Judoteam Groningen’s programme is based on the Long Term Athlete Development model² (LTAD). It puts the developing athlete at the centre. Early broad movement skills and enjoyment help talent emerge; the approach serves both elite and recreational pathways. We distinguish four phases.
Phase 1
Learning to train (under 12)
- Strengthen basic judo skills
- Learn and develop new judo skills
- Refine techniques and technical development
- Account for growth spurts in physical training (e.g. aerobic capacity)
- Fair play and ethical behaviour
Phase 2
Training for volume (under 15)
- Strengthen basic judo skills
- Technical development
- Develop tactics and strategy
- Focus on training, not competition
- Account for growth spurts in physical qualities
Phase 3
Training for high level (under 18)
- Optimise judo-specific skills and individual planning
- Develop preferred techniques
Phase 4
Training to perform (18+)
- Continue development focused on better performance
Ambitions for the future
Over the past four years the talent programme has grown strongly in size and performance. The next step is further professionalisation on and off the mat.
Six concrete goals for the next four years:
- Raise additional funds for coaching and guidance
- Expand and upskill the coaching staff
- Organisational support (sponsorship, finance, PR & communications)
- Further optimise talent development; U15/U18 flow, scouting, holistic development
- Judoteam Groningen culture & safe sporting climate
- External support (sport psychology, nutrition, research); Hanze RAak Sportmonitor (2 years)