Nelly and I were lucky to have been Rick's students. When we started Judo with him in the early 80s he looked like he does in the photo above. I think he would have been 40ish and was still competing.
He was a hard man and the University Judo Club was a tough world focused on ground fighting, 'Kosen' Judo and competition.
It was fantastic, we learnt good Judo that has stood by us in many dojos around New Zealand and around the world. I first went up to Japan with Rick in 1988 and since then have travelled heaps always remembering my Sensei's favourite quotes:
- "Stand up straight" normally followed by a kick or a whack with a shinai!
- "No sleeping on the mat" don't get strangled!
- "There is no learning without pain" the club motto. And good advice. Everything in life costs. You want to be good at martial arts get used to pain. Want wisdom, pay the price of experience.
Without doubt Rick was one of New Zealand's best Judo players. He also trained some of our best. Daniel Gowing springs to mind.
But Rick also impacted people's lives in other ways. We all learnt to laugh at ourselves and to enjoy the comical side of Judo. University Judo Club was never silent there was constant joking and laughing and humour. It was fun doing Judo and Rick was very funny.
Rick also taught us to not accept authority, he was a master of rebellion. Sometimes we need the outliers, the rebels the people that won't conform.
Finally, and most importantly Rick taught us all about acceptance. University Judo Club was a place that who or what you were didn't matter. We were all Judo players and your worth came from your fighting spirit and guts. I remember lots of people who were never going to be great Judo players but who were welcomed at University Judo Club because the fought hard and had fun doing Judo.
Nelly and I have been lucky. We have had 36 years of Rick and have very fond memories. The photo below is one of my fondest. After all my years with him when I set up Big Judo he came over one night and helped me glue rubber under the mats so they wouldn't slide around. It was a nice night. Sensai and student working together getting mats ready for another generation of Judo players to learn.
From our Big Judo family to Rick's family and to University Judo Club deepest condolences. We will miss Rick very much.
And Rick, at Big Judo we will keep teaching what you taught us.
And Rick, at Big Judo we will keep teaching what you taught us.
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