The Mill Judo Club was founded in 1968 by Dave Bevan 7th Dan (now retired in) Benfleet, Essex.
It then moved to the Rayleigh Mill (top of the high street in Rayleigh) where John Mayes 5th Dan joined the in 1971 and the club ran at the Rayleigh Mill until 1988, during this time Nathan Searle 3rd Dan joined the club. In 1988 the Rayleigh Mill clubhouse was knocked down to make way for a car park to be built, the club moved to its current location at the Hockley Community Centre.
In 2005 the final member of the Senior Coaching team Paul Gordon 4th Dan joined. In 2013 the Rayleigh Akitas joined the Hockley Mill Judo Club to become the Rayleigh Mill Judo Club this has increased our numbers, coaching team and committee following this with the closure of the Wickford Judo club in 2017 Gary Diebelius and some of his Students joined our club.
Our current coaching team comprises of: -
UKCCL2 Coaches:
Paul Gordon 4th Dan (Head Coach)
Andrew James 3rd Dan, Brian Palombella 2nd Dan
BJA Level 1 Coaches:
Matt Ferridge 1st Dan (Chairman) Nathan Searles 1st Dan, Phil White 1st Dan, Colin Mawdsley 1st Dan
Along with the Coaches we have the support of Kathy Ferridge Treasurer & Wealfare officer.