By Angela Brown

Students learn self-confidence, empathy in art of judo

Dec 8, 2017 | 2:20 PM

North Battleford Comprehensive High School youth taking a program called Eclipse have managed to not only learn a competitive sport, but also to develop empathy and self confidence along the way.  

About 10 students graduated from the program in a special graduation ceremony on Friday, Dec. 8. 

Eclipse is part judo instruction, and part learning about the power of partnerships.

“Part of our philosophy is about mutual welfare and benefit,” said judo instructor Mel Kozlowski, a Battleford Judo Club sensei, who volunteers for the Eclipse program. “It’s not always competition; we’re working together to help each other learn different skills.”

Eclipse is a partnership between Living Sky School Division, Prairie North Health Region (now Saskatchewan Health Authority) and Judo Canada. It was started by Judo Canada a number of years ago, and aims to help at-risk youth and youth facing challenges in their lives. 

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The program runs for 10 weeks, with sessions twice a week. There are also group counselling sessions as part of the program.

Friday also marked the 10th anniversary of the Eclipse judo program offered through the school division.

Kozlowski said as students take the course they develop more confidence, and learn to trust people more.

Youth often partner in judo training. In learning the art, students would need to trust their partners also taking the sport, to make sure their fellow-participants throw them on the judo mat safely, when practising a judo movement for example.

“Then it’s your turn to throw him, so you build up a mutual trust,” added Kozlowski.      

Saskatchewan Health Authority clinical social worker Alan Corbeil serves as the counsellor for the youth in the Eclipse program.

He said youth are learning such skills as anger management, good communication skills, problem-solving skills, as well as how to get along better with people without conflict. 

“It’s to enhance pro-social skills, and less of the… more negative things, like gang involvement and things like that,” Corbeil said.

“I think everyone feels we are seeing some positive changes here,” he added of the benefits of the program. Corbeil said the youth in Eclipse often develop a positive sense of belonging too.  

Living Sky School Division director of education Brenda Vickers said the division appreciates being able to be a part of the program.

In attending the graduation ceremony and seeing the youth accept their certificates, she believes the program has helped make a difference in the students’ lives.

“It’s one of those things where you walk in and you watch kids succeeding – it feels good,” she said. “I’m proud of them.”  

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow