Player of the Month

Joyce Malley, 4^th dan

Joyce Malley must be the ultimate role model for women's judo. Her level of physical fitness, enthusiasm and dedication to the sport are inspiring. She has been tireless in her efforts to promote Judo World Masters both as a successful competitor herself and as an effective organiser. Keep going Joyce - we need you!

How long have you been practising judo?

It must be about 32 years now.

What made you take up judo?

A judo club was started in my home town, Dungannon, Northern Ireland, in an attempt to bring Protestants and Catholics together. My sister Avril and I went along. What I really enjoyed was being able to ride on the bus into town every Friday which was quite a big thing! I did like the judo as well.

Tell us about your early success in the judo.

When my sister and I started judo, I didn't win any competitions for three years but Avril went onto the squad straight away. When I was 15 I entered the British Trials and got a place on the squad. I was flown over every month for squad training. I competed in the Junior Europeans in Germany.

What about your achievements to date?

I got a bronze in the World Students event in Strasbourg in 1984. I also got bronze in the Commonwealth Games in Auckland in 1990. I lost fighting for six medals in the British Open so you could say I am a very consistent player! I was on and off the British Squad for twenty years as number 2 or 3. Recently I have got gold in all the five World Masters events held.

Who have influenced you most in judo?

Harry McQuigan was my first coach in Northern Ireland. He ran the Ren-bu-kan, the biggest club in Ireland. His love of judo and ability to motivate has inspired me for life. I have also been lucky to have been able to work with the best coaches in Britain such as Roy Inman, Pete Barnett, Fitzroy Davies and Mac Abbott. They have taught me a lot about judo over the years.

What are your favourite techniques?

I have a rather limited range of techniques but they work for me. I do o-uchi-gari and seoi-nage.

Do you do any other physical activities?

I do marathon running and try to enter one event per year. The London Marathon is coming up next. I also do triathlon and have entered several events.
I do Sombo wrestling which has enabled me to travel to Russia and America. I also take part in Kurash which is standing judo from Uzbekistan. I like experiencing a variety of training methods and approaches from different parts of the world.

We understand that you have been involved in developing Judo World Masters. Tell us about this.

I think the World Masters is an exciting development. Attitudes have changed and people now believe it's important to be an athlete when you are older. Just because you are thirty or over doesn't mean you have finished. Bruce Tullah, a running guru said:
"It's nice to be an athlete in your twenties and thirties, but essential in your forties and fifties."

I've been involved in the World Masters from the beginning and I'm now Vice President in Europe and help to organise women's events.

What do you get out of judo?

I like meeting people and judo gives me the opportunity to visit clubs all over the world. I'm currently working in Germany and I am able to train with the German team. I enjoy being part of the 'big family' of judokas.