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Peter Barnett 5thDan
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In the early 70's I was thrilled to be chosen for the then called Junior Olympic Squad. Peter and Geoff Gleeson were in charge of it. Around the same time I was offered a judo scholarship in Tolouse in the South of France. I had toured there with the North East Judo Team as it was then.
I was sixteen at the time and was spotted by a top Korean coach, who wanted me to stay there. He predicted I would be European champion in two years. In the end I never went there because of work permit problems. I was suddenly left in a void because I needed top class coaching/training. Peter became aware of my problem and asked me to move to the Birmingham area. Again work and accomodation became a problem and I eventually decided to join the army, which I think dissappointed Peter.
I was pleased when my first posting took me to the Midlands albiet some distance from Solihull. Over the years I went to Solihull club as much as I could - usually with Clive Douglas and I always remember Peter's booming voice telling me to hurry up and get on the mat, even though we had travelled all the way from Northampton!
I was always thrilled that Peter took an interest in me, especially that I was a young lad and in the Army.
So, I was in a void as far as belonging to a particular club was concerned, but Peter always made me feel part of the Solihull club, although it was a very close knit club at the time.
One of the biggest highlights of my career was when the Junior U/21 British Team was picked from Peter's National Squad and I was the Middleweight!
We were to fight West Germany at Crystal Palace and Peter later told me I was the first name on the Team Sheet.
Some years later Peter took me on my Club coach Award which I passed and I felt proud that the `Top Man' had awarded me it.
I went on to be a member of the British Squad for twelve years, also various Olympic Squads. I was an international many times and won numerous titles, including some abroad.
Peter was a great motivator and leader, and looking back on my judo career I think if I had made the move to Solihull instead of joining the Army, I may have made the Olympic Team.
Peter was one of the great thinkers on judo coaching. A lot of his methods were unique, the proof of the pudding was all the top players he produced.
It is just a shame that the powers-that-be in London at the time would not accept Peter's and Gleeson's methods, or at least meet them half way. Peter was certainly one of our most successful coaches and considering everthing he has achieved in a small club environment, I wonder if anyone will ever achieve the same results in a judo club again?