This year marks a remarkable milestone for Richard Nicholls, who has dedicated 40 years to coaching judo at YMCA Taunton.
Richard’s journey in judo began at the age of 13, and now, at 63, his passion and commitment to the sport remain unwavering after 50 years of training.
Richard started his judo training at the Trident Club and Bath Place. Over the years, he has represented Somerset in numerous matches both within the UK and internationally. His dedication to the sport is evident in his achievement of the 6th Dan, a rank that takes a decade to attain from the 5th Dan.
The YMCA Taunton Judo Club was originally founded by Dennis Sheppard. Richard began working alongside Dennis as a coach and eventually took over the reins when Dennis retired. Under Richard’s leadership, the club has flourished, with around 20 juniors and 15-20 seniors attending weekly judo lessons.
While the core of judo training has remained consistent over the past 40 years, there have been some changes. The judo kit has evolved to include more colours, and the rules and regulations have increased. Membership in the British Judo Association was just £4 a year when Richard started, and is now £42!
The club’s success is also attributed to the support of eight volunteer coaches who assist Richard with training. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team helps with administration, keeps coaches up to date, organises gradings, and prepares goody bags at Christmas, Easter and Halloween as a thank you to all the members for their hard work throughout the year. Richard says “Without the members, there would be no club”.
The sense of community at the club is strong, with parents and grandparents alike praising the positive impact it has on their young people.
Judo has given my grandchild increased confidence; he now loves to run and jump, and the club also teaches respect
The club is like a family. Richard is very thoughtful and we really appreciate the gifts at Christmas.
There have been lots of successful competition entries and wins over the years and a particularly notable moment was in 2003 when the club had the honour of welcoming Neil Adams, an Olympic medal winner, as a coach.
Clare Langley, CEO of YMCA Taunton, shared her thoughts on this significant milestone:
Richard’s dedication to the YMCA Taunton Judo Club over the past 40 years is truly inspiring. His commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering a sense of community has made a lasting impact on countless lives. We are incredibly proud to have Richard as part of our YMCA family
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate Richard Nicholls’ 40 years of coaching, we look forward to many more years of his leadership and dedication. His impact on the YMCA Taunton Judo Club and the community is immeasurable, and we are grateful for his unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of judo enthusiasts.
Newspaper clippings courtesy of Somerset County Gazette.
