Instructors

Paul Hamilton

Lead Coach — 3rd Dan Senior 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 (formerly Summit School of Judo) and became 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

Chairman / Coach — 2nd Dan

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.

Val Kelly

Coach / Club Secretary — 5th Dan Senior Coach Kata Examiner

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
5th Dan 2025
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 Senior Kata Examiner and hold multiple titles for my competitive Kata Skills.

I also started Aikido in 1991

I am a 3rd Dan Level 1 coach in Aikido

Mike Stephens

Coach — 3rd 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, 2nd Dan in 2020 and 3rd Dan in 2024.

I enjoy coaching and refereeing. I became a qualified National Judo Referee in 2014 which I still do to present day.

Steve Dyer

Coach / Deputy Chairman — 4th Dan Level Two Coach

Steve Dyer began practising judo in 2002 alongside his son, Luke, who had also recently taken up the sport. Luke went on to achieve success at both national and international levels as a junior and cadet, with Steve coaching matside at most of his competitions.

Over the years, Steve has trained at numerous clubs across Hampshire, Surrey, and London under the guidance of several outstanding coaches, including Avril Bray (World Bronze Medallist), Jenny Earle (European Silver Medallist), Roberto Almeida (Brazilian National Champion), Dave Kavanagh (6th Dan), and Derek Hopkins (7th Dan).

He earned his 1st Dan in 2010 and currently holds the rank of 4th Dan, as well as a Level 2 Coaching qualification.

Mike Gowland

Coach — 2nd Dan Senior 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.

Attila Fekete

Coach — 2nd Dan | Level 1 Coach | Level 2 Coach in Progress

Some judoka have a career in the sport. Others become part of its fabric. Attila Fekete is very much the latter.

Attila’s judo journey began in 1992, at just 11 years old. What started as a childhood sport soon developed into a lifelong passion and an impressive competitive career.

His ability and dedication took him to the highest levels of competition, representing the Romanian National Team in 1997 and 1998 and achieving an outstanding 5th-place finish at the World Cup in 1998. Along the way, Attila became a multi-medallist at national championship level in both Romania and Hungary, competing nationally and internationally until 2007.

After stepping away from competitive judo, it was his sons who brought him back to the tatami. Watching them discover the sport reignited something that had never really left him, the love of judo.

Attila joined AWE Judo Club in 2025, and since then has thrown himself back into the judo community with the same commitment and enthusiasm that defined his competitive career.

With a little friendly and perhaps rather determined, encouragement from fellow parents, Attila took the next step and moved into coaching. In March 2026, he successfully achieved his Level 1 Coaching qualification, and he is now working towards his Level 2.

He also achieved his 2nd Dan in November 2025, adding another milestone to an already remarkable judo journey.

Today, Attila brings something incredibly valuable to AWE: decades of high-level competitive experience, technical knowledge, passion, humility and a genuine desire to help others develop.

For our younger judoka, having someone with Attila’s experience on the mat is a fantastic opportunity. For our coaching team, he is a tremendous asset. And for AWE Judo Club, we are incredibly proud to have him as part of our community.

From an 11-year-old discovering judo in 1992, to representing a national team, competing on the world stage, becoming a 2nd Dan and now helping shape the next generation of judoka. Attila’s journey is a wonderful example of how judo can become much more than a sport. It can become a lifelong part of who you are.

We are proud to have you at AWE, Attila.