SHOP
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Richard Rudolf Poelman, of Vernon BC on Sunday December 3, 2023. Richard’s contributions to Judo in BC began in 1979, when he moved his family to Canada from the Netherlands and settled in Cranbrook, BC. Richard took over the Cranbrook Judo Club and later opened three additional clubs in the East Kootenay’s. He continued to instruct until 2020 after he passed along the clubs to former students.
In 1989 Richard was promoted to National B level referee, he was certified NCCP level 3 in 1993 and he was promoted to Sandan in 2004. In addition to coaching and refereeing, Richard was active with organizing and running tournaments in the Kootenays including the 1987 BC Winter Games in Fernie, the Kootenay Open starting in 1984 and the Canadian National Junior Judo Championships in 1991.
