The Amateur Judo Association (AJA) has been in existence since 1955 and is a non-profit making organisation dedicated to the promotion of Judo through a true spirit of sportsmanship and fairplay.

As an Association we organise a large number of events such as championships, gradings, training sessions and International trips for players of all ages and abilities.

All clubs on this website are affiliated to the AJA and have fully qualified instructors.

Judo is a sport that began in Japan in 1882. It is a style of fighting where one opponent can defeat another without anyone getting seriously hurt. Boys, girls, men and women of all ages take part in Judo in many different countries all around the world.

Judo is an ideal way of keeping fit. It provides a great cardiovascular workout which improves stamina, general health and overall fitness. Physical strength and flexibility are also improved as a result of trying to control and dictate the movements of an opponent.

Judo is ideal for all ages, male and female and attracts players from many disability groups

Confidence and self-esteem are developed as players progress through the ranks and the very nature of the grading system ensures that the next goal is always realistic and achievable with effort.

The grading system also ensures that players, whatever their skill level, will have opportunities to compete with players of similar ability and have a chance to experience victory

Judo places a great emphasis on self discipline and respect for others. It is extremely rare to see any player act in a disrespectful way towards an opponent or official. Whether training at the club or competing in the Olympics, bad manners or unsportsmanlike behaviour are never tolerated.

Many people find that lessons learnt on the mat help you in every aspect of life - increased confidence, self-respect, discipline and respect for other people.

GNR8 Academy is a Community group set up to give children and young people the chance to work with the best coaches and inspirational people to enjoy and achieve in sport. This summer, on the 13th -15th of August we will be launching with a summer camp in Leicester. We will be supplying lunch, expert coaching, prizes and having a whole host of professional athletes around to teach, inspire and promote fitness to our next generation of athletes! We are a community interest company and therefore will be looking for donations from local businesses and individuals to make one off events like this a success. If you or somebody you now may be interested in sponsoring our GNR8 Academy Summer Games 2019 please get in touch! For the Judo sessions we will need jackets and belts so if you’ve got an old Gi in the bottom of your club why not donate it to this worthy cause. You can bring these along to any of the East Midlands Area events and pass on to Tony Jones or Keith Kendall, or me if I'm there. If you want to make a donation, no matter how big or small then please follow this link to the GNR8 page. Any support would be hugely beneficial and we would be certain to promote any support in a positive way.

Thank you

Dan Powell