About Tonbridge Judo Club
Tonbridge Judo Club is a welcoming, hard-working judo club based at Swanmead Sports Ground, supporting players from their first session through to competitive development.
A Club Built on Judo Heritage
Founded in 1957, Tonbridge Judo Club has grown from local roots into one of Kent’s long-established judo clubs. Its history includes generations of players, dedicated volunteers and a permanent home at Swanmead built around serious training and club spirit.
Who We Are
Today, Tonbridge Judo Club is a welcoming but hard-working place to train. We support beginners, families, returning players and experienced judoka, with clear coaching for those who want to enjoy judo and those aiming to compete.
Our Approach
Our coaching focuses on strong basics, safe progression and a positive training culture. Players are supported at the right level, whether they are new to judo, returning to training or working towards competition.
Strong Fundamentals
Players build confidence through movement, balance, breakfalls and core judo techniques from the start.
Safe Progression
Training is introduced at the right pace, with coaching adapted to each player’s age, experience and confidence.
Competitive Pathway
Committed players are supported with technical development, fitness, discipline and competition-focused coaching.
Meet The Coaches
Chris Bowles
Chris represented Great Britain at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and is a double European medallist. After retiring from competition he returned to coach at his home club, Tonbridge, and went on to join British Judo’s Elite Coaching Programme as Lead Coach for the Men’s squad, helping develop athletes on the GB performance pathway. Today, as a 7th Dan, he leads coaching at Tonbridge Judo Club.
Ben Urban
Ben began his judo journey at Tonbridge Judo Club under Chris Bowles before competing internationally for Great Britain up to Senior level. Since retiring from competition in 2018, he has coached across British Judo’s Home Nations, World Class Performance Programme and GB Paralympic pathways, bringing that experience from World Championships and the Paralympic Games back to Tonbridge.
Aleksejs Vankovs (Alex)
Alex is a BSF Level 3 coach who brings cross-disciplinary grappling expertise to Tonbridge Judo Club, specialising in combining Sambo with traditional Judo. He focuses on explosive takedowns and groundwork transitions to develop well-rounded, modern fighters, and actively supports regional development through inter-club training and open mats.
