Tamo Kitaura Referee Development Grant
July 9, 2005
The USJF Tamo Kitaura Referee Development Committee is very proud in selecting
Mr. Andrew Connelly, Mr. Nick Goodly, Mr Mark Hirota and Ms Joan Miller as
grant recipients for 2005. They join the prestigious company of the previous
recipients of this award ~ Mr. Don Flagg, 2003; Mr. Dean Markovics and Mr.
Mark Yamanaka, 2004.
Tamo Kitaura Sensei had devoted over 50 years to the sport of Judo as a
competitor, instructor, coach, manager and referee. Throughout his distinguished
career, Kitaura Sensei has been instrumental in developing and mentoring students
and has been an active contributor to numerous organizations which support
such activities, including the Central Coast Judo Association and the United
States Judo Federation. In honor of Kitaura Sensei’s lifelong dedication
to and distinguished service in support of Judo throughout the United States,
the Central Coast Judo Association and the United States Judo Federation has
established the USJF Tamo Kitaura Referee Grant.
The Grant has been established to provide financial assistance in support
of the development and growth of USJF referees. The Grant is specifically
aimed at USJF referees who have exhibited a degree of technical proficiency,
and have been identified as candidates for further testing and certification
through the PJU-C. The proceeds from the Grant go towards defraying the costs
of travel and other expenses associated with a referee’s attendance
at the PJU-C testing site. This Grant has also been established as a tool
to encourage, support and increase new referee participation.
Congratulations to Andrew, Nick, Mark and Joan on the excellent job at
the PJU-C test site. We wish them continued success in their refereeing career.
Sincerely,
Vaughn T Imada
Vice President, United States Judo Federation
cc: Noboru Saito, Joon Chi
Committee Members: Robert Fukuda, Keith Hayashi, Dan Kikuchi, Cal Kitaura,
Rose Knudsen