FEATURES
another experience added to a long list for me to take away from this operational tour.”
Since Service personnel must be ready to react to operational demands at any time, they fight in their uniforms rather than judo gis. However, unlike the more ‘hardcore’ US Marine Corp martial arts experts, who fight in sandpits, the judo team do have basic mats, a staple requirement of any judo competition.
Sam said: “In my role as Combined Services Team Manager and Chair of RAF Judo for the Association, I have been trying to encourage more grass-roots participation in judo and in particular running British Judo Association sponsored beginners courses.
“My intent is to run the club here in Camp Bastion along a similar track, encouraging everyone to grade before I leave. I am also keen to establish how they can continue with their new sport when they return to their normal duties away from Afghanistan.”
This is not the first time Sqn Ldr Smithson has been involved in judo in an operational theatre but it is the first time she has aimed her skills at service personnel.
When in Afghanistan in 2006 Sqn Ldr Smithson ran a coaching programme in Kabul for the Afghan Judo Federation, coaching the sport to local people including children in schools and orphanages. She also trained Afghan coaches in a three day ‘coaching the coaches’ package at the Kabul National Stadium.
Sam said: “I would love to have continued with a similar project this time but I am not sure my operational commitments will allow that. In the meantime, I am hoping that the Camp Bastion Judo Club grows from strength to strength.”
Focus on Sam Smithson Sqn Ldr Sam Smithson started judo at the age of four. She joined her father’s club, Bredakwai in Accrington, where both of her parents were judo coaches. They ran the club for over 40 years and also managed the North West ladies team.
After winning her first national title as a junior in 1990 Sam went on to gain her GB senior international honours in the under 52kg category and has represented the Senior GB Team in international tournaments.
The highlight of Sam’s international career was winning bronze medals in both the US and Canadian Opens in 2002 and being
selected for the European Team when GB won a silver medal in 2003.
Sqn Ldr Smithson proudly represents the RAF in competitions as well as managing and coaching the Combined Services team.
During her 14 years in the RAF, Sam has led the RAF ladies to nine inter-service titles and has many individual accolades to her name.
Sam said: “I was always attracted to military life and the RAF has supported me wholeheartedly during my judo career. I have had some fantastic experiences and opportunities.”
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Envoy Spring 2014
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