History of Judo in Newfoundland & Labrador
The Early Years
It is hard to determine exactly when the first tatami was laid down in this province as there are no written records, but
indications suggest that there were pockets of judo being taught on an individual basis as early as the fifties. Judo certainly was being taught at the Harmon U.S. Air Force base in Stephenville to American military personnel possibly as far back as the early fifties. Eventually the base opened its doors to include the young members of the local Canadian Air Cadet squadron in the community of Stephenville and the Bay St. Georges area. After the Americans closed the base in 1966, one of the cadets, Willie McNeil, a brown belt, kept the club going in Stephenville for several years.
Also, on or about the same time, Mr. Graham Burt, from Devizes, England began teaching both aikido and judo in one form or another during his visits to Newfoundland. He eventually took up residence in Newfoundland in 1967 and set up small clubs at the YMCA and in St. Augustine's school in St. John's.
Nevertheless, organized judo did not take place in the province until the arrival in 1968 of Yves Legal, who has long been credited as The Father of Judo in Newfoundland & Labrador and as an individual, had by far the most influence and impact on the direction of judo in the province. It was under his direction that judo took root and flourished throughout the province.
In September of 1968 Dr. LeGal formed the Memorial University Judo Club, the first judo club recognized by the Kodokan Black Belt Association (today's Judo Canada). Just four months later, the club made it's mark in intercollegiate judo competition by entering for the first time, the AIAA University championships at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Over the next few years the club would dominate Atlantic intercollegiate competition.
From the M.U.N. Gazette, Vol.8. Nov. 8, 1968:
JUDO CLUB FORMED ON MEMORIAL CAMPUS
For the past few years, Memorial University has been undergoing tremendous expansion. As a direct result of this expansion, world-wide personnel with varied and unique interests have made their way to Memorial. One of these most certainly has to be Mr. Yves LeGal from Paris, France. Mr. LeGal recently obtained an M.S. in physiology from the University of Saskatchewan and also has the distinction of holding a black belt, 3rd Dan. While in Saskatchewan, Mr. LeGal, being a National Judo Counsellor for Canada between 1958-67, was directly responsible for organizing the sport of judo in the province, and up to his leaving in September of this year, had produced 22 black belts.
In December of the same year, Dr. LeGal was instrumental in forming the Newfoundland and Labrador Judo Association. Consequently, a formal request was put forward to the Canadian Kodokan Black Belt Association to have the Association officially approved. Copies of the constitution were forwarded to both the Provincial Physical Fitness Department and the Canadian Kodokan Black Belt Association head office in Toronto. The executive of the Association consisted of Dr. Yves LeGal, president and secretary/treasurer; Eiichi Tarada, a native of Japan, vice-president; and Bill Buffett, assistant secretary. Members of the national council to represent the province were Dr. LeGal and Graham Burt. Initially there were problems having Graham Burt's rank recognized as he was originally a British citizen and had been graded through the Budokan. Nevertheless, in May of 1969, the Association was formally approved by the national body.
Judo was still in its infancy in the province.
From The Evening Telegram / February 28, 1969 issue:
There are 75 members of the association, most of whom are from St. John's with a few from Corner Brook. LeGal said that
once they start their development program they will try to build up the membership starting in St. John's and then travelling to Corner Brook
to start improvements there before heading into other areas of the province.
And increase membership they did. Judo exploded in the province over the next few years as membership increased seven-fold. Clubs sprang up all over the province in many small communities as well as the major centres. Judo was re-established in the Stephenville area, as well as the West Coast city of Corner Brook, and there were numerous clubs within the St. John's area under the tutelages of both Yves LeGal and Graham Burt. The first judo club in the Labrador portion of the province was established on or about 1969 in Churchill Falls where a small but active club existed during the construction phase of the Churchill Falls project.
Yves LeGal continued the legacy over the next 25 years, in many capacities on both the Provincial and National levels and produced or "spawned" many black belts over his tenure in the Province, not the least of which were his four children who were all black belt national competitors at one time or another. Upon his retirement in the fall of 1993 he left the Province to take residence in British Columbia where he remains active in judo. Graham
Burt continued with judo and aikido until his untimely death due to a drowning accident in August of 1979. Willie McNeil is still active in judo with the Indian Head Judo Club in Stephenville.
Stephenville Judo club / May 1969
First Grading under Canadian Kodokan Black Belt Association
Far Left: Sensei Yves LeGal, Willie McNeil
Compiled by Blair Bradbury
