BSF President - John Clarke

John Clarke

D.O.B 16/10/1973

3rd Generation of the Clarke Family to be member of the International Budo Federation. Grand parents were John (Nobby) Clarke 6th Dan Former IBF GB President & Margret Clarke 4th Dan. Father, Martin Clarke 9thDan IBF GB President. Started Judo at the age of 5 and has been developing ever since.

Judo/Sambo head Coach at the Young Judo Club/Warriors Grappling Academy Sittingbourne aslo IBF and BSF President. Coaching experience has been varied, having coached in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Finland, coaching adults and juniors, from kyu grades to Dan grades.

Trained over 20 competitors to international level in Judo and Sambo, as well as coaching them through their Dan grades. 

 For the last Ten years I have been running three competitions a year in Judo and Sambo as well as coaching courses and International squad training sessions. 

Very successful competition career, winning over 350 medals and trophies all over the world competing in over 450 competitions in all associations. Competed in more than 10 IBF Multi Nation Judo Championships winning gold medals in 98% of them. Plus, winning 10 BSF British titles. Apart from being a proud IBF competitor also competed as a member of The British Judo Associations (Olympic Body) Southern area team and entered the Kent International at Crystal Palace winning bronze in both events. 

Competition career is not just in Judo,he has competed in Freestyle wrestling, Kurash, Belt wrestling & Sambo. 

· Freestyle Wrestling 

(London Open Champion twice, British Championships 2nd Place). 

· Kurash 

(British Champion twice, Grand Open Champion Once). 

· Belt Wrestling 

(British Champion once). 

· Sambo

(British Champion 10 Times, World School Boys second place 1989 USA, World Youth 5thPlace 2002 England, World Seniors 7th place Prague 2007, World Masters 5th place Belarus 2008). Ex National coach

In 2010 was awarded a bronze award of Master of Sambo for my contribution in the Sambo world. 

Graded to 1st Dan in Judo 1991, 2nd Dan 1993, 3rd Dan 1997, 4th Dan 2003, 5th Dan 2007, for all these grading’s he had to show knowledge of Judo, IBF History and theory. Kata plays a very important part of IBF Judo and for his  5th Dan he had to perform Nage No Kata, Katame Kata, IBF Newaza Kata, Kime No kata, Goshin Jutsu Kata, Ju No kata, Gonosen Kata and Itsutsu no Kata. the only person in England to have graded for his IBF 5th Dan, something he is very proud of.

6th Dan awarded by the IBF committee in Holland in October 2019.

As you can see from above not only was he a true competitor at National and International Level, flying the flag for the IBF/BSF always giving 100%,he is now putting backhis love of the sport through coaching and the ability to run course’s and competitions, giving students the opportunities he was given. 

The role of the President is primarily to act as an ambassador for the sport of SAMBO and to represent the British SAMBO Federation (BSF) at local, national, and international level. This will include representing the BSF in meetings with government, the International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) and the Sports Councils for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The role of the BSF President is complex and involves:

•  Ceremonial Duties
•  Leading the Annual Planning for the BSF
•  Being Committee Chairperson
•  Acting as Mediator and Arbitrator
•  Representing the BSF to outside parties
•  Undertaking administrative duties

CEREMONIAL DUTIES

•  Giving awards at BSF events and at award functions
•  Making speeches at BSF events and functions
•  Meeting and greeting dignitaries at BSF events and functions

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON

•  Manage (chair) committee and/or executive meetings
•  Manage (chair) the annual general meeting
•  Have a good working knowledge of the BSF rules and the duties of all office bearers and sub-committees

MEDIATION and ARBITRATION

•  Solving disputes and dealing with dissention
•  Invoking disciplinary processes if required

PLANNING

•  Facilitating and leading the planning process that determines the BSF’s future
•  Promoting the planning process and ensuring there are opportunities to participate for all BSF members
•  Promote the planning of local, regional, national and international competition
•  Promote the planning process for the annual Presidents Cup
•  Ensure good planning and budgeting for the future

REPESENTING the BSF to OUTSIDE PARTIES

•  Foster a strong working relationship with affiliated associations, the government, the relevant Government Sporting Bodies, other sporting associations, the European Sambo Federation and FIAS

ADMINISTRATION

•  Approving payments and signing cheques
•  Be well informed of all the BSF activities