At Westland Judo Club, our coaching team brings decades of experience across competition, teaching, and personal development. Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or progressing through the grades, you’ll be supported by knowledgeable, approachable coaches who are passionate about helping every member succeed.
Steve Bowles
Head Coach (5th Dan)Steve is the Head Coach at Westland Judo Club, with over 50 years of experience in judo. He first joined the club at the age of 9 and remains a central part of it today, coaching, training, and supporting judoka of all ages.
A Competitive 5th Dan and Level 2 Coach, Steve has enjoyed significant success in Masters competition, including multiple British Masters Championship gold medals (-73kg) and representing Great Britain at international Masters events.
Steve is passionate about developing others, supporting members through Mon, Kyu, and Dan grades, and helping judoka build confidence, skills, and a lifelong enjoyment of the sport.
Mike Sullivan
Coach (7th Dan) and Club ChairmanMike brings a lifetime of knowledge and dedication to the sport.
He has been awarded 7th Dan by the International Judo Federation (IJF) — a rare and prestigious achievement, with only a small number of judoka in the UK reaching this level.
Mike’s coaching combines deep technical knowledge with a wealth of tips and tricks from his experience of high level competition. He is passionate about helping members of all ages develop strong fundamentals, confidence, and a lasting appreciation for judo.
Matt Hext
Coach (3rd Dan) and Club SecretaryMatt plays a key role at Westland Judo Club, particularly in supporting and developing our junior members. He has a kind and approachable coaching style to help even the youngest judoka feel comfortable and confident on the mat. Matt uses games and engaging activities to keep sessions fun while building important skills and encouraging children to keep coming back week after week.
Alongside his coaching, Matt is also actively involved in supporting members at competitions, providing encouragement and guidance from the mat side.
Rick Bazeley
Club Treasurer (4th Dan)Rick has been involved in judo from a young age, starting at 12 and joining Westland Judo Club at 14, where he continues to train and coach today.
He is a 4th Dan judoka and an active competitor in the Masters M7 +100kg category, with recent successes including Gold at the Welsh Open (2025) and Silver at the British Closed (2025).
Rick is often the first person new members meet, helping beginners settle in, providing spare kit, and guiding complete novices through the very early basics of judo. His friendly and approachable manner helps create a welcoming environment for everyone stepping onto the mat for the first time.
Safeguarding
From the British Judo Website:
British Judo take safeguarding and the safety of its members extremely seriously and works closely with the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) NSPCC and Act Craft Trust to ensure we have robust policy and procedures to safeguard Children and Young People, and Adults.
We are also here to give advice on a whole range of areas that help you to reduce risk or help you deal with a problem in relation to Safeguarding.
The Safeguarding Team are here to support clubs, members, and staff with safeguarding matters
TELEPHONE: 0121 728 6920 (and select the Safeguarding option)
OPENING HOURS: Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
As a team, we will have a rota re one of mobile phones being on after 5pm and at weekends.