Location: Riverside, California
Founder/Owner: Brian Money

The Riverside Youth Judo Club is the largest USJA club. They have the largest and most focused Special Needs (Adaptative) judo program – one of the largest in the World. They sponsor 100% over 60% of their students who have challenges with paying for full tuition and materials such as Judo Gis. All instructors and staff are completely volunteer.

Each year they host the only Special Needs judo tournament- U.S. Special Needs Judo Championships (Except during Covid) They also host the largest All-Female judo tournament each year. The tournament is called the All-Women’s Breast and Ovarian Cancer Charity Tournament. They had over 200 female competitors at their last tournament (before COVID) and raised $15,000 for charity.

How has your dojo overcome the COVID crisis? How long were you closed? When did you reopen?

BM: The Covid issue was very challenging since we are part of a police organization. We had to completely shut down for almost a year when the pandemic first hit. We did Zoom judo to keep as many of our students engaged as possible, but it wasn’t the same. We were permitted by the State and County to reopen in June 2021 and have been doing in person classes since. We purchased two large HEPA filters for the club and we keep our doors open for better circulation. Spectators are asked to sit outside, but we have a large TV monitor with them that allows them to watch the classes in real time. We do wellness and temperature checks for each person entering the club. We had to continue classes wearing masks for the past two months because of state mandates. It’s difficult with the masks but surprisingly, no one complains as it seems everyone is happy to be back on the mat.

What do you consider to be the biggest achievement of the club?

BM: Our work with At-Risk and Adaptive students is our biggest achievement. We were featured in a National 4-part TV documentary called “Our Kids- Closing the Opportunity Gap” by Dr. Robert Putnam. We were also recognized by the National ARC group for Disabled Americans with an Inclusion Award and have a plaque on the National Wall of Respect. We are also recognized as an Outstanding Sports Team and listed in the Riverside Sports Hall of Fame.

Tell us about your Judo Program.

BM: Currently, we have about 10 Judo classes each week. Also, we should note that we mainstream about 85% of our Developmentally Disabled students into our typical classes.

These include Pre-Judo: designed for small kids to introduce them to judo using fun games and exercises. The class prepares the students to participate in a more formal beginning judo class.

Beginning Judo (twice a week) basic, formal judo class to prepare the student for intermediate/advanced judo.

Intermediate /advanced Judo (6-12 years old): typically, yellow belts and above. More focus on advanced training and competition judo.

Intermediate /advanced Judo (12-17 years old) same as above but with our older kids.

We also use about 1/3 of our mat to work one on one with our Adaptive students who require more focused training.

Adult Judo (18 and over) Twice a week and held at UC Riverside. We bring the classes to our youth club when the UC’s are shut down

Police Judo: This class teaches judo to our area’s law enforcement personnel. It’s become quite popular with 5 different police agencies participating in the weekly training.

Our club is large, but we often have up to 100 people on the mat at a time. We are asking the City and Police Department to allow us to open another room in our lot to allow for more students.

Interview by: Hannah Martin

USJA continues to believe our black belts are more than qualified to evaluate and promote the students within their club. What we have learned since eliminating the CRE program:

• We have club black belts that have no one in their area to assist with their own promotions because their Sensei has moved, deceased, or stop playing judo.
• We have new Black Belts that were not trained in the promotion process or just have questions and not sure who to ask.
• Individuals that have not tested in years and no one following up with them.

To assist with these situations and others, we have decided to reinstate the CRE program, effective February 1, 2022.

Certified Rank Examiner (CRE) Levels

• CRE 3^rd Dan or higher
• Regional (RCRE) 4^th Dan or higher
• National (NCRE) 5^th Dan or higher
• Master (MCRE) 6^th Dan or higher

Current Valid CREs

• All valid current CRE’s at all levels will automatically be reinstated.
• All previous CRE, RCRE, NCRE, & MCRE’s that have expired will be reinstated once their membership, Safe Sport, Concussion Training and Background Screenings are current and renewal fee is processed.
• All new CRE’s will need to apply. (CRE Application located in “Printable Forms”)

Eligibility

Once someone reaches the rank of Sandan or higher they are eligible to become a USJA Certified Rank Examiner (CRE), after they show their understanding and ability to follow all the requirements of the promotion procedure. This program allows certain individuals meeting the requirements to examine others for rank promotions.

• There are four levels:
  • CRE having a rank of 3rd Dan or above. Advancement after this depends on a person’s rank and their ability to meet the requirements.
  • After spending one year as a CRE having the rank of 4^th Dan or above, may apply to become a RCRE.
  • After spending one year as a RCRE having the rank of 5^th Dan or above, may apply to become a NCRE .
  • After spending two years as a NCRE having the rank of 6^th Dan or above, may apply as a MCRE.
• These are progressive steps and regardless of rank you are not permitted to skip levels unless approved by the Certified Rank Examiner Committee (CRE). Those considered for the MCRE level must be signed off and approved by 2 MCREs and approved by the USJA CRE Committee.
• At certain times, such as but not limited to changes in the promotion system, a CRE of any level must document for the CRE Committee their ability to conduct examinations using the newest promotion forms. When requested, at renewal or advancement, a CRE will either forward the most recent promotions they have examined or produce a sample promotion using the latest form and documentation.
• An additional option is to attend a CRE clinic. (This would be a Zoom call or onsite clinic, covering all the details of the promotion process.)
• To be eligible and remain valid all CREs must maintain their membership, background screening, SafeSport, and Concussion Training. All CREs must renew every 4 years.

Promotion Sign-off Requirements

• LEVEL 1 CRE: Must have a minimum rank of 3^rd Dan. As a 3^rd Dan CRE, you are allowed to recommend promotions for Nidan and below. As a 4^th – 8^th Dan CRE, you are allowed to recommend up to one rank below your current rank. These promotions will all be reviewed and signed off by the Promotion Board.
• LEVEL 2 RCRE: Must have a minimum rank of 4^th Dan. As a 4^th Dan and above RCRE you are allowed to recommend up to one rank below your current rank. These promotions will all be reviewed and signed off by the Promotion Board.
• LEVEL 3 NCRE: Must have a minimum rank of 5th Dan. As a 5^th Dan and above NCRE you are allowed to recommend promotions up to one rank below your current rank. These promotions will all be reviewed and signed off by the Promotion Board.
• LEVEL 4 MCRE: Must have a minimum rank of 6th Dan. As a MCRE, you are allowed to recommend promotions up to one rank below your current rank. These promotions will all be reviewed and signed off by the Promotion Board.

Annual Promotion Points for CRE Committee

Each black belt RFP signed off 1

(Note: You only receive points for signing off on Black Belt Promotions.)

CLICK HERE FOR THE CERTIFIED RANK EXAMINER APPLICATION FORM

Happy New Year! USJA Judo ranks are a measure of a student’s achievement in Judo. They are a testimony of skill, knowledge, and sportsmanship, attained through diligent study, practice, tournament participation and devotion to Judo. Congratulations to the following December promotions:

Recent Dan Promotions

Certified Rank Examiner Program

We plan to reinstate the Certified Rank Examiner Program in 2022. If you are interested in becoming a Member of the Certified Rank Examiner Committee, please email me at donnaturk@aol.com.

In the meantime, make sure your USJA Membership, Chartered Club Membership, Background Screening, Concussion Training and Safe Sport are all current.

Promotion Board Members

Donna Turk, Chairperson, 6^th Dan, Pensacola Judo, Florida

Ken Durand, Vice Chair, 7^th Dan, Keene YMCA Judo, New Hampshire

Raymond Conte, Secretary, 6^th Dan, St. Mary’s Institute, New York

Bruce Bender, 6^th Dan, Marion PAL Judo, Indiana

Constance Halporn, 6^th Dan, NYU Judo, New York

Heiko Rommelmann, 6^th Dan, Bushido Kai Judo, New York

Mark Hays, 6^th Dan, Unidos Judo Club, California

Randy Pierce, 7^th Dan, Konjo Dojo, Missouri

Russell Burke, 7^th Dan, Ohio Judan Judo, Ohio

James Bregman, Emeritus Member

Watch this short interview with USJA President Andrew Connelly.