Team Finland are present in the Gdansk Get Together, with 12 competing and six coaches in tow, the support can be felt for the judoka. It can already be problematic for adapted judoka, depending on when one lives and if they have access to a judo club, another obstacle is finding a club where there are provisions or coaches to accommodate.
Tuula HOLTTI is one of the coaches travelling with the team this week and we found out how her experience has been so far,
In my club I was asked if I would be interested in coaching a group of adapted judoka who were needing a coach. At the time I thought, well I have no experience but I can certainly try and it turned out that I didn’t just like it, I loved it.
We have events together in the Nordic region, but also when we come together with other nations, we try our best to attend each others events. I think this has a huge impact on their self esteem, not just competing in Finland against the same people over and over again, but they want to come here and fight the judoka from Poland and other places.
In events like this we don’t have so much time to talk with other coaches, and to discuss ideas. It would be lovely to have a coach meeting, we attended the referee meeting yesterday as coaches were invited but in this instance it was a presentation for the tournament.
Also in attendance of the EJU Get Together Tournament was Anu STÖR, Head Coach of Adapted Judo Finland member of the EJU Human Rights Commission. Stör continued to explain the current financial situation of the Adapted team, as it has been developed over the years, they now have the support of the President of Finnish Judo, Mr Esa NIEMI, who has assisted in contacting organisations and companies who can provide funding for the adapted judoka. As in many nations, there is always room for growth and Team Finland are well on their way!
Author: Thea Cowen