Our Coaches
Marrara Club has a coaching base of 9 coaches. This enables players to be exposed to fresh ideas and different coaching styles. Our Patron and former senior coach Mr John Bradley, Go (5) Dan, coaches the more senior players from time to time.
Sue Gardiner – Go Dan (5), Coach Judo, EJU L3
Kelly Fong – Yon Dan (4), EJU L3
Brad Fong – Yon Dan (4), Coach Judo
Craig Leslie – Ni Dan (2) Coach Judo
Andrew La Porte – Sho Dan (1), Australian Referee
Karen Pain – Sho Dan (1), Coach Judo
Ryan Miller – Sho Dan (1), Coach Judo
Jack Rigby – Ni Dan (2), Coach Judo
Shane Rigby – San Dan (3), Australian ranked referee
Mark Dodt – Sho Dan (1) Australian ranked referee
Sue has been playing judo in Darwin for over 40 years. (coaching for 30). She has trained with John Bradley, Peter Herrman, Arthur Moorshead and Daniel Kelly amongst others.
Highlights of her competition years include a national bronze senior medal in under 52kg in 1986, participation at 5 Nationals and attending the inaugural AIS Judo Camp in Canberra. Sue’s favourite technique is her left seoi with ko-uchi combination.
Her coaching qualifications include a Grad Cert in Applied Science – Sports Coaching and European Judo Union level 3. She is a life member of Marrara Judo Club and Judo NT. Sue was a National coach for Judo Australia’s National Talent Identification Program for 5 years which took her to Japan and Canberra for Judo Camps. Sue enjoys introducing our little ones to Judo.
Brad began Judo at 10 with Keg Rynski for a few months then with John Bradley and Sue Gardiner when MJC was formed. From age 15 to 25 (when he retired from competition) Brad was the undefeated NT gold medallist in the– U78 kg and Men’s open divisions. Brad had a promising future in the Senior ranks until Rugby Union ruined his knees.
Judo is his passion and he loves coaching players to their highest potential. He has worked at the NT Institute of sport as a weight and fitness coach and teaches Judo to other sports as part of their fitness routine and learning “Spatial Awareness”. He was also the official Australian coach of the 2009 Deaflympic Judo Team. Brad is also the Senior coach of our club, and a Life Member of JudoNT.
Jack started judo at 6 years old and moved to Marrara judo club at 8.
Jack has won medals at multiple Australian championships and various interstate opens. He’s also had a competitive run at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has been awarded a brown belt.
After transitioning to coaching in 2018, Jack has realized his true passion within the sport. He’s actively running a Monday night adult class, Tuesday evening junior class and particularly enjoys troubleshooting techniques with students. He is a Ni Dan (2nd) and has coached Marrara judo players at Australian titles for the last two years.
Andrew Chairman of the Referees commission for the NT
He has in the past been our Club President and the President of the Northern Territory Judo Federation (JFANT). He is a Nationally graded referee and Andrew began judo in Alice Springs and came to our club as a teenager and has competed at both Junior and Senior Nationals for many years.
Andrew was also involved in the committees organising Arafura Games Events as well as the Senior Nationals held in Darwin 2001, 2005 and 2007
John has retired from coaching full time. John is a Go Dan (5th) and given over 45 years service to judo.
He is a founding member and Life Member of JFANT being instrumental in the recognition of NT Judo at the national level and the development of Marrara Judo Club.
John has taken on the role of Club Patron and adviser to the coaches. John often attends classes and holds special classes for senior gradings.
John held many positions on the JFANT, NT NCAS Coaching Coordinator, Technical Director and President. He was the Tournament Director for the successful 1985 and 1995 Junior Judo Nationals held in Darwin. John’s favourite technique is his shime waza (strangles)
Kelly began judo at 9. She is known as a technical player and has competed in Junior and Senior World championships.
Kelly is a JFA NT Life Member and a member of the National Selection panel.
Her most recent achievement was winning a Gold medal at the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei.
She has also trained in Germany, France, Japan, England and Australian southern states. After training under many coaches in many countries she offers different training ideas from all around the world.
She is a recipient of many NT Sports awards and was awarded the 2004 role model in the “The Role Models – Steve Abala Top End Sporting Role Models – Northern Territory 1947 – 2006.
Craig has been involved in competitive judo from an early age and attained his Dan grade at age 18. During his competitive career Craig won the NSW championships on 5 occasions, 2 National championship titles, as well as 1 Oceania Championship Gold medal and 1 Oceania Bronze medal.
Craig is motivated to pass on competitive tips and training philosophy to Marrara players.
