Hand-picked for Gizzy judo camp

Pictured (from left) are Ana Moceyawa, Justine Bishop, Jade Milne, Kiki Reedy Velloza, Ella Kelso, Jurlina Carroll, Jeanette-Mary Foyle, Qona Christie, Steffi Burra, Izzie Steane, Nyah Ria, Louise Kelly, Tara Beale, Sydnee Andrews, Miriama Campbell, Hayley Mackey, Te Rata Campbell and Anna Rasmussen. Picture supplied

Gisborne was the destination for 15 female judo athletes hand-picked from around the country to train here for five days with national women’s coach Kiki Reedy Velloza.

The Waikanae Top 10 Holiday Park and beach area was the perfect spot to accommodate the judoka while the East Ocean Jiu Jitsu and Gisborne Judo Club dojos were the training venues for the five-hour-a-day sessions.

The Gizzy Female Judo Training Camp was run over five days, with the focus solely on judo, said Reedy Velloza.

“We had some of our top players here and some young athletes on the verge of venturing overseas this year in debut events.”

“The older and younger athletes were roomed in pairs — a positive mentoring and buddy system was put in place. “

Assisting Reedy Velloza were Gisborne-based coach Jeanette-Mary Foyle and Anna Rasmussen, who runs a judo club on Australia’s Gold Coast.

“It was a great week of judo,” said Reedy Velloza, “hard base training to cement their judo as they return to their own clubs and head away as soon as February to international competitions.”