Judo Festival Month is Back – Bigger and Better for 2025!

Judo Ontario
Aug 6
3 min read

This September, we’re kicking off the season with Judo Ontario’s Festival Month 2025 — a full month of training, seminars, club activities, and community celebration across Ontario. Whether you're an athlete, coach, volunteer, or new to the sport, there’s something for everyone.

What’s New for 2025?

• Virtual Seminars & PD Series: Weekly online sessions featuring coaching development, club operations, Safe Sport, and more. Speakers, dates and topics to be announced in the coming weeks.

• Volunteer Appreciation Week (Sept 8–14): Nominate a volunteer from your club — we'll feature them on our channels.

• Try-It Days: Invite new participants! Clubs are encouraged to run free community sessions and grow the sport.

• Club Challenge: Clubs can earn points by participating in Festival Month activities — with special recognition and prizes (details below).

Festival Month Weekly Highlights

Week 1 (Sept 1–7) – Welcome Back!

• Sept 6: Ottawa Grading Prep Clinic

• Sept 6: Nage-no-Kata Seminar – Asahi, Kitchener

• Sept 7: Ottawa Yudansha Grading

• JOYA & HP Training begin

• Launch of the Club Challenge & Try-It Days

Week 2 (Sept 8–14) – Celebrate & Connect

• Sept 13: Kaiju Outdoor Open Judo Tournament – Shuniah (Northwest Region)

• Sept 14: Judo Ontario AGM & Awards Ceremony

• Volunteer Appreciation Week — Clubs spotlight your volunteers (we’ll repost & feature them!)

• Optional Regional Open Mats

Week 3 (Sept 15–21) – Train & Learn

• National Coaches Week!

• Fall Training Camp – Shohei Ono

• Optional Regional Open Mats

Week 4 (Sept 22–28) – Compete & Wrap-Up

• Sept 27: Asahi Open – Waterloo

• Final push for Club Challenge & Try-It Days

• Festival Month Wrap-Up + Club Challenge Winners Announced early October

Club Challenge

We’re celebrating judo in every region with a friendly challenge open to all clubs, big or small.

Challenge Goal: Engage your community, grow the sport, and showcase your club’s spirit and creativity.

How It Works — Point System

Complete Activities + Submit Proof = Earn Points

Activity	Points	Max Points per Club
Host a Try-It Day	5 pts	10 pts (max 2 events)
Post a Volunteer Spotlight (TAG JO)	3 pts	9 pts (max 3 posts)
Attend a Virtual Seminar	2 pts per participant	10 pts
Submit a Club Photo/Video Highlight	3 pts	6 pts (max 2)
Attend a Tournament	1 pt per athlete	10 pts
Attend the AGM or Awards Ceremony	2 pts per attendee	6 pts
Host an Open Mat or Community Event	4 pts	8 pts (max 2)
Share a “Judo Spirit” Story (written or video)	3 pts	6 pts (max 2)