Instructors

Paul Hamilton

3rd Dan Senior Instructor Level Two Coach

Paul started Judo in 1983 at the Age of 6 at Summit Judo Club with Sensei’s Len Dunce and the late Derek Brownett. At the age of 13, due to his parents moving away, Paul left Summit, only to return to Summit J.C. 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 before gaining his 2nd Dan in 2015 and 3rd Dan in 2022. He takes lessons for both juniors and seniors of all abilities.

Paul is a core coach at both at Summit Judo Club (since 2004) and at AWE Judo Club (since 2006) in Tadley where after helping out coach Al Coupland due to an injury he has taken over Al’s role as the Head Junior Coach.

In August 2010 Paul decided to quit his IT job and follow his passion for Judo by starting Neon Judokwai (formely Summit School of Judo) and becoming a full time Judo Coach to take the sport into schools both locally and further affield.

In March 2016 Paul was presented with Basingstoke and Deanes Coach of the Year Award 2015.

Qualifications:

British Judo Association 3rd Dan Black Belt

British Judo Association Club Coach Level 2

BJA Gymnastics for Judo Qualification

First Aid Qualified

NSPCC Time to Listen workshop for Club Welfare Officers

Sports Coach UK Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport

Rod Drake

2nd Dan Senior Instructor (Club Chair)

Rod Drake started Judo in London on 1979.
In 1985 he moved to the area and joined the AWE Judo Club as a 1st Kyu.
Following encouragement from Don Turnbull he became a club coach in 1986.
He coached at AWE and at a club in Wallingford.
In 1987 he became a 1st Dan and a 2nd Dan in 2012.
Rod is Chair of the AWE Judo Club.
Rod is also a 2nd Dan and Club Coach in Aikido.
He gained his 1st Dan in 1992 and his 2nd Dan in 2012.
He is also the Chair of the Newbury Aikido Club.

Valerie Kelly

5th Dan Senior Instructor Kata Examiner (Club Secretary)

I started judo when I was 14 years at Basingstoke Judo Club under Sensei John Gowland.

Green belt July 1971,
Blue belt October 1971
Brown April 1972
Due to injury and family commitments I stopped Judo until 1984.
1st Dan February 1988
Level 2 coaching award October 1993
2nd Dan June 2010
3rd Dan June 2015
4th Dan June 2020

Hampshire referee from 2004 to 2009 – 5 years
I started refereeing for the BJA in 1995 and and continue to this day.
I am also a Kata Examiner and hold multiple titles for my competitive Kata Skills.

I also started Aikido in 1991

I am a Level 1 coach in Aikido

Mike Stephens

2nd Dan BJA level 2 Coach / National Referee

I started Judo in 2009 following my daughter, who had started schools Judo. Also following a break from studying Karate for many years.

After winning such prestigious awards as most injured player and most competitive player, I qualified as a BJA level 2 instructor, gained my 1st Dan in 2014 and then my 2nd Dan in 2020.

I enjoy coaching and refereeing and qualified as a National Referee in 2014.

Steve Dyer

4th Dan Level Two Coach

I started judo in 2002 to train with my son who had recently started judo. I trained at various clubs, with many great coaches and gained my 1st Dan in 2010 followed by my Level 1 coach award in 2011. I have gained my Level 2 in 2025 .

I went on to gain my 2nd Dan and then 3rd Dan in 2020

I am also a 2nd Dan Jujitsu coach and previously trained in Karate & Aikido.

Tony Robinson (Vice Chair)

3rd Dan Instructor

Tony started Judo at the age of 13
He achieved his Black Belt 1st Dan at 17
at 19 he advanced to 2nd Dan.
At 25 he was awarded his 3rd Dan in St Ives Cornwall at the BJC annual Easter Judo Grading .
Tony has run several Judo clubs in both Luton & the Isle of Wight.
He retired from active Judo at 35 due to family and work commitments.
He returned to Judo in 2015 as a level one coach

Michael Gowland

2nd Dan Senior Instructor Level Two Coach, First Aid Qualified and Safeguarding Qualified.

Mike started Judo in 1959 at the Age of 6 with his father, John Gowland (Goldberg-Vass Memorial Trophy Judo Champion 1958 ) accompanying my father to the London’s Judo Society (LJS) and various schools and collages. Mike moved to Basingstoke with his family when he was 10 years old, where his father established the Basingstoke Judo Club in the Basingstoke sports centre. Active as a key member of the Southern area Judo.

History -
Basingstoke Judo Club 1969-1978.
Hampshire County Colours for Judo 1969-1971.
Kendo green belt 1972 at Winchester Judo Club.
British Judo Association 1st Dan in 3/11/1974.
Oxford Perp School Instructor.
Worcester Park Youth Centre judo club Instructor.
Referee Certificate 19/5/1974 by Roe. H. Rowe.
National Kata Course 1981.
Ran the Oxford Polytechnic Student Judo Club 1978.
Ran Oxford Prep School Judo Club 1978.
Work posted Mike to Bechtel (Saudi Arabia) where he Established the “Yama Nico” Judo Club in Dharan , Importing Mats from Japan and giving Lessons To Expatriates and third country nationals (TCN’s).

Qualifications -
British Judo Association 2nd Dan passed (technical) 29/07/2024.
British Judo Association Club Coach Level 2.
Original British Judo Association Club Coach Award 16th Jan 1972 By R.S.Williams and Charles Palmer.