Lumen Spring 2021 - Flipbook - Page 14
THEN AND NOW
Adelaide
University
Sport
Communities,
camaraderie
and friendships forged
through university sport
STORY BY KELLY BROWN
12
THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Michael Headland
Bachelor of Sciences (Honours) 1972
Diploma of Education 1976
Masters of Sciences 1976
Michael Headland received Adelaide University
Sport’s highest honour, a Blue Award, in 1975
when he was in the state judo team fighting it out
at nationals. The same year he also won the under
86 kilo division at the University Games, now the
University Nationals.
At that stage, Michael had only been involved in
judo for about three years, having discovered the
sport at University through friends in the Physics
Department who were part of Adelaide University
Judo Club.
At the time, judo was not big in Australia, so the
club had just a handful of members. Michael
was responsible for the club’s first strategic plan
written 40 years ago, and secured the Club’s first
grant. “Over that time the Club has grown its
membership to about 130 members and has been
instrumental in growing judo in South Australia,”
said Michael.
While judo is a sport, it was developed from the
martial arts of Japan. “It’s not just a sport, it’s a
form of physical education and body management;
you learn how to control your body,” said Michael.
It’s with that view that the Club has sought to grow
judo as a form of physical education.
