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Peter Barnett 5thDan
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Pete played a pivotal role in the development of Midland judo, into a National and International force, when from his base as coach at Solihull Judo Club, he produced a string of champions.
We were fortunate to have been practising judo in the late 1950's and early 1960's. At that time we saw the return from Japan of such luminaries as Geoff Gleeson, Charlie Palmer, Alfie Grabber and Dennis Bloss and the visit to this country of the judo phenomenon of that time, Saburo Matsushita, the youngest man to have been awarded 5th Dan and the then current champion of Japan.
All of this talent was located at the Budokwai in London and although individuals from there travelled to venues throughout the country giving instruction, continued access to this standard of tuition necessitated living in, or in the proximity of London.
This situation was changed when Geoff Gleeson, at great cost to himself, in terms of financial and creature comforts , took to the road and assumed the role of a latter day itinerary monk, travelling throughout the country in a motorised caravan, known in those days as a `dormobile'.
Geoff believed that the highest standards should be available to everyone and to that end established the coaching scheme to promote locally based coaches in a National system.
Pete, I well remember, was from the beginning, one of the most ardent advocates and was among the first to gain the Coach Award. Within a short period He established himself as a talented coach. His accomplishments are manifold over a long and meritorious service to British judo.
Those who knew Geoff Gleeson will know his respect for the best in Japanese culture where the title `Teacher' is a qualitative term, not alone a recognition of accomplishment, but, and perhaps more importantly, a recognition of a standard of conduct in our everyday lives.
Pete is among the most gifted and talented coaches, more than this, he possesses that unique, almost indefinable, but instantly recognisable quality - that of `TEACHER'.
I am privileged to know Pete and to have shared through many many years an abiding interest in a sport which has given us so much and to which he has contributed so magnificently.
with highest regards
Joe Nolan
(An old pal and colleague from way back)