Development on and off the mat
At Judoteam Groningen we believe in developing on and off the mat. Judoka train under professional guidance in the morning and evening, in close cooperation with schools at every level: primary, secondary, vocational (MBO), applied sciences (HBO) and university.
Pupils in years 7/8 who want to try our morning training are given that opportunity, in Groningen and across the province. It often starts with joining one morning session; schools respond positively. We stay in contact with the primary schools of participating judoka.
Some athletes in our morning programme are not linked to the Topsport Talent School (TTS). For them we follow the same flexible approach as for primary schools. We work with schools such as Zernike and Augustinus in Groningen, Winkler Prins in Veendam, Aletta Jacobs in Hoogezand, Vincent van Gogh in Assen and Terra Eelde. Many judoka have made strong agreements with school and combine a full morning programme with their education.
The examples above are well-balanced routes that combine school with our morning programme at the regional training centre/TTS. We work closely with TTS Groningen. Coaches Danny Drent and Marcel Joling deliver morning sessions at the school and, with TTS, provide ASM training for all TTS-linked programmes. Danny Drent, Marcel Joling and Matteh Engels are contracted for TTS training. Marcel has run TTS training for four years, manages the programme and intake, and sits on the TTS working group (open days, closing events, etc.).
We cooperate directly with Alfa College Sport & Exercise (Kardinge). Marcel is part of the Trainer-Coach team at Alfa College Sport & Exercise. Together with a colleague he is topsport coordinator for Alfa College across sites in Groningen, Hoogeveen, Hardenberg and Assen.
We cooperate directly with Johan Cruijff College. Marcel teaches at the college. As team coordinator for Johan Cruijff College he also maintains links with Johan Cruijff HBO.
Simon Leistra teaches at Hanze University of Applied Sciences. We have direct contact with Hanze topsport coordination.
Simon Leistra holds an appointment at the University of Groningen. Cooperation with Hanze and the RUG is therefore a natural part of how we work.
Contact us if you would like to know how judoka at Judoteam Groningen combine training and education in practice.