Whakatāne Judo Club is fundraising for a September trip to one of the world’s premium martial arts destinations – Japan.

With its strong martial arts background, it is considered the perfect place to take some club’s younger members for training.

“It’s the birthplace of judo,” said club secretary Tracey Mackey.

She and her husband Kevin Mackey, the club’s main coach, travelled there a couple of years ago, visiting Kōdōkan, the birthplace of judo, in Tokyo.

“It was just mindblowing,” she said. “It’s like eight stories high and just so fascinating to watch the judo session that was running.”

The Kōdōkan Judo Institute, or Kōdōkan, is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community, founded in 1882 by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo,

The Mackeys noticed the teaching in Japan was similar to New Zealand, including how they did their warm-ups and their understanding of the tradition.

“We’re hoping to spend about three days at the Kōdōkan and give the children the best opportunity to learn and take in as much as they can,” Mackey said. “We’ve also got some up and coming coaches going.”

Mackey said a big reason for the two-week trip was to ensure a succession plan that would keep judo alive in the community for years to come.

“Kevin has been coaching for our 16 years in Whakatāne, and we see a community of awesome people. He really cares about the kids. That is what is so cool about our club.”

Approximately 35 people will be travelling, including the judokas and their families.

“We’re currently fundraising like crazy and getting the kids prepared with their understanding around judo and why they are going to Japan and the cultural significance of it all,” she said.

A recent fundraising quiz night held at The Comm went well with those attending including a woman in her 90s who used to do judo and wanted to support the club.

Fundraising will continue until they leave.