Contact Us

About Us

ULU is an established and welcoming club, catering to all from beginners to black belts (male and female). We have a spacious and easy to reach gym, and a former Olympic squad member as our coach.

Free Trial Session! 

We offer one free trial Judo session to any student interested in giving the Club a try. If you are not a student, just pop along anyway and you can come train with us.

University of London Judo Club 

ULU is an established and welcoming club, catering to all from beginners to black belts (male and female). We're lucky enough to have both a spacious and easy-to-reach gym, and a former Olympic squad member as our coach. For the uninitiated: Judo involves throws, hold downs, and locks, rather than strikes. It's an effective and fun form of exercise with opportunities for competition, graded progression, and of course after session drinks!

ULU Judo Club

 

What We Do

A typical session begins with a solid warm-up followed by some ne-waza (groundwork). We then do some standing uchi komi (technique repetition and throw practice) and then work through specific techniques, followed by 30 minutes of randori (free practice).

If you are a beginner, our coach will look out for you and ease you into the sessions, at times dividing the class in two to cover different levels, so our Club is the perfect place to start if you have never done Judo!

If attending your first session don't worry about having a Judo-Gi (the white suits): standard long-sleeved gym clothes are fine, and make sure to trim nails, remove jewellery and tie back any hair. Don’t forget your water bottle and a pair of flip-flops to get from the changing rooms to the mats!

 

When and Where We Meet

Sessions (training continues throughout the Summer Break):

Beginners and advanced players are welcome!

 

  • Wednesday 7-9 pm - Location: Birkbeck Central, Room 305, Malet St, WC1E 7HY

 

  • Friday 7-9 pm - Location: Birkbeck Central, Room 305, Malet St, WC1E 7HY

 

  • Sunday 4 - 6pm  - Location: Bloomsbury Fitness, 15 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AH (Mulit-purpose studio)

 

We usually gather 15 minutes earlier by the main reception, and head down to the badminton courts before practice to start putting out the mats.

Nearest stations: Goodge Street/Tottenham Court Road.

Who are the coaches?

Joe Doherty -  World Master Gold and Silver medalist, Joe has been coaching our club for over 15 years. A certified Level 2 BJA Instructor and 5th-Dan black belt besides, Joe is an excellent and supportive instructor, always on hand to coach at competitions as well as our regular sessions.

Besides Joe there are a plethora of top judoka who are kind enough to demonstrate their favourite techniques or fill in when necessary, including (but not limited to): Niccolò Salvatori, 3rd-Dan and UKCC Level 2 Coach; or Oliver Tang, 2nd-Dan and UKCC Level 2 Coach, multiple times GB Masters Champion.

Committee 2025/2026

  • President: Oliver Tang
  • Captain: Joseph Manua
  • Treasurer: Saki Yanagisa
  • Secretary: Ricardo Moore

In addition to competition, regular Kyu Gradings are organised throughout the year during our usual sessions to ensure everyone has a chance at progression. Plus there is always a good Christmas social to look forward to in early December.

 

Costs and Memberships (205/2026)

How to become a member

If you struggle at any step please feel free to contact us at ulujc@yahoo.co.uk.

  1. If you do not already have an account create an online account on the Clubs-Societies Website
  2. Log in at the Judo Webpage and purchase a Judo Club Membership (see prices below) or a Free Trial pass (if you are a student and want to try our Club for the first time).

 

*NB: All memberships expire on August 31st and must be renewed on September 1st. If you join after January or during the summer, please contact us by email before purchasing your membership.

 

Judo Club Membership and Session Fees

We hold sessions three times a week throughout the 4 terms of the year (Term 1: Oct-Dec, Term 2: Jan-Mar, Term 3: Apr-Jun, Summer Term: Jul-Sep). Club Membership and Session Fees can be purchased online (see products on the right) and allow our members to attend all training sessions, plus competition entries if you are a student. If you don’t qualify for a Student or Associate membership you can still participate in club training sessions as a Guest (see below and also here for eligibility). NB: Please note that Session Fees cover our Coach's salary and must be paid by the end of November (if paid annually) or by the end of the first month of each term. If you are here for a reduced period of time or you can only attend some sessions, please contact the Club's Committee to discuss alternative arrangements. All memberships expire on August 31st.

  • Student Costs 
    • Student Membership Costs - £40 (annual).
    • Mat fees - £5 per session.
    • £10 mat fees if not a member

To join the Club, add the right combination of products (Membership) to the basket and proceed to payment. If you have any questions about this, get in touch with us at ulujc@yahoo.co.uk.

Judo start-up Costs (Gi and BJA Licence)

Our Judo Club is a member of the British Judo Association, and as such you can benefit from insurance, the chance to grade up, and the ability to enter competitions when you purchase your BJA licence. If you are a student, the BJA has a Student Voucher Scheme for the heavily discounted price of £30 which provides you with the BJA licence (otherwise £29), your first grading fee (£12), and a Judogi (worth £35).