Coaching Staff
With over 50 years of knowledge between our coaches, Woy Woy Judo Club has the biggest and most experienced coaching staff on the Central Coast region, All of our coaches are CAF accredited and hold a First Aid Certificate, Our coaching staff continue to follow on the traditional Japanese teachings from our founder and chief instructor, Danny Simmons Snr. Each of our coach's strives to give your judo journey a diverse and amazing experience.
Danny Simmons
5th Degree Black Belt
Founder & Chief Instructor
(1941-2014)
Beginning with an interest in boxing at the South Sydney Police Boys Club, Waterloo, Danny was introduced to Judo in 1955 at the age of 14 and it is here where he flourished.
With an absolutely stellar career in Judo, Danny represented New South Wales at the National Championships on multiple occasions, he also represented Australia at the Oceania Championships in New Zealand in 1968, winning a silver medal in the longest match in Judo history, and also tried out for the Australian Olympic Team in 1964 & 1968. After the Olympic try outs in 1968, Danny moved to Japan to further study the art of Judo, learning tradtional techniques of Judo and upon returning to Australia, incorporating them into his own career.
After coaching in Sydney for many years, Danny moved to the Central Coast in 1982 and opened his own club. Teaching children, teenagers and adults not only Judo, but life skills of respect, compassion and strength through his incredible ability as a Coach. Danny saw to it that every member & player had the opportunity to show their talents and work to their strengths. Danny has sent countless players to National, International, World Championships & Olympic Games throughout his career.
Danny's accolades for his achievements and dedication to the sport of judo and the community have been rewarded on many levels including:
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Australian Sports Medal
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Life Membership of Kodokan Judo Institute, Tokyo,Japan
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Life Memebership of Judo NSW
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Life Membership of the Black Belt Register
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Induction into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall Of Fame (AMAHOF)
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National Judo Grades & Kata Examiner
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Rotary International (Woy Woy Branch) Volunteer of the Year
Danny was not only a coach but an inspiration and friend to all in the judo community and who passed through the halls of Woy Woy Judo Club.
Sadly in October 2014, we lost Danny to a long battle with illness. However, we stand by his legacy and continue a strong club, one that still holds the same ideals that were taught to us by him.
In 2016 in memory of Danny, the Woy Woy Judo Club created the Danny Simmons Memorial Judo Tournament, which is a yearly run competition.
Daniel Simmons
3rd Degree Black Belt
Junior and Senior Coach
Since being allowed to step foot on a judo mat at age five, under the guidance of his father Danny Snr, Daniel's love for judo was instant.
His passion has seen him excel in the sport, having represented New South Wales at 10 National Championships. In 2010 until 2014 Daniel represented Australia at International Level, competing at multiple World Cups, Grand Slams & Grand Prix’s in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Canada & our Oceania region, vying for Olympic Games selection.
Throughout his career, Daniel has trained extensively overseas in Japan, North America & Europe.
In 2010 Daniel achieved the rank of Sho Dan (1st Dan) with his father present as a member of the National Grades Commission, in 2014 he obtained the rank of Ni Dan (2nd Dan) and in 2021 obtained the rank of San Dan (3rd Dan).
Since the passing of his father and mentor in 2014, Daniel retired from competition and has taken the reins of the Woy Woy Judo Club as Head Coach and has been an Assistant NSW Junior State Coach since 2015.
Daniel enjoys every aspect of Judo both as a player and coach, with over 25 years of experience, his passion, and knowledge passed on by his father is infectious to all who walk through the Woy Woy Judo Club door.
Rhys has been playing the sport of Judo since the age of 16. Inspired by his Father, Barry Johnson an x2 Australian Olympian, Rhys took to Judo with extreme ease.
Rhys has represented New South Wales several times at the National Championships and is also a multiple state and national medallist. He received his Sho Dan (1st Dan) in 2013. Rhys comes to us from our sister club Zenbu Judo in Newington. Whilst attending Zenbu, Rhys gained a strong knowledge of competition judo, as well as adopted an enthusiastic teaching ethic for Zenbu's younger judokas.
With an immense passion for Judo, Rhys is always dedicating time and skills to our up-and-coming students along with our beginner’s program and we are proud to now call him one of our amazing coaches!
Rhys Johnson
1st Dan Black Belt
Tinys, Kids, Juniors and Seniors Coach
Kieren is one of our most valued coaches and has been with Woy Woy Judo Club since he began Judo at seven years of age.
In his 15 years in the sport he has achieved an amazing amount during his time. He has represented New South Wales at the National Championships 9 times and has won 2 Junior National Titles and a bronze at Senior Nationals, Kieren has also represented Australia at the Junior Oceania Championships and won a Silver Medal.
Kieren has also trained overseas in both Japan and America as well as the Australian Institute of Sport as part of the Australian team. In 2014 he acquired the rank of Sho Dan (1st Dan).
With a wealth of experience, Kieren possesses certain coaching attributes that contribute greatly to our club and the sport of Judo.
Kieren works closely with all players ensuring precision and correct guidance within all aspects of players learning.
Kieren Handley
1st Degree Black Belt
Tiny, Kids, Juniors and Seniors Coach
Shane Hobbs
1st Degree Black Belt
Tiny, Kids, Juniors and Seniors Assistant Coach
Coralie has been involved in judo since she was able to walk, her passion for judo ran in the family with her father and founder Danny as her coach.
Coralie was a multiple Junior NSW State Champion and National Medalist.
After a few years off the mat, She has come back along with her kids to keep the family dojo going, and now is one of kids coaches and is a vital asset to our kids program.
Coralie Johnson
1st Kyu Brown Belt
Tiny Tigers, Mini Cow Uchi Coach
Liz began Judo at the young age of 7 years old under the instruction of Danny Simmons Snr at Woy Woy Judo Club in 1983. Liz has an amazing passion for Judo and an outstanding record for competition.
Liz was a multiple State Champion and State Medalist and also won the Lake Macquarie Games on multiple occasions, She was also awarded the Peninsula Community Centre Excellene Award in 1996, 1997 and 1998. In 1998 Liz was invited to join the State team, however she was getting married at the time the team would be away.
After a 13 year break, Liz returned to Woy Woy Judo Club in 2013 along with her family of 3 boys, who themselves are following in their Mum's footsteps as motivated and passionate mini Judokas.
Liz takes tradition very seriously and encourages our players to not only learn an incredible sport, but to take with them the pride and discipline they learn in the Dojo and apply it to their every day lives.
Liz Roach-Grenier
1st Kyu Brown Belt
Tinys, Kids & Junior Coach