Meet the team
All Coaches are DBS checked with safe guarding and first aid certificates in place with the British Judo Council.
Sensei Steve Merredew (BEM) 6th Dan
Technical Officer
Brief Bio
Steve began his long judo career back in 1960 aged 8 and achieved his Black belt in 1975 in the Royal Navy where he won the Navy/Marines open weight judo championship in 1978,
He was awarded a BEM by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018 for services to Croydon via Addington JC.
Titles and achievements.
6th Dan (red and white belt) (2022)
British Empire Medal appointed by Queen Elizabeth II (2018)
International Referee (BJC) (1996)
AJC Technical Officer (2009-)
4th Dan BJA (2004)
FPJ Level 2 Coach
Sensei Gareth Merredew 4th Dan
Head Coach
Brief Bio
Gareth stared Judo in 1985 aged 5 years old and achieved 1st Dan Black belt in St Ives, April 2000,
He has fought in all levels of competition from club to international and is now the clubs Head Coach (since being appointed in 2009) and a competitive 4th Dan in the BJC.
Titles and Achievements
BJC 4th Dan (2016)
BJA 1st Dan (2004)
BJC Inclusion Team (2024-)
BJC International referee (2023)
BJA National C Referee (2024)
BJC HeadQuarters Committee (2023-)
BJC Refereeing Development Committee (2022-)
FPJ Level 2 Coach
2 x BJC National Champion (2012+2017)
AJC Head Coach (2009-)
Ju-jitsu 8th Kyu (2025)
Sensei Laurie Craig 4th Dan
Senior Coach
Brief Bio
Sense Laurie started Judo at his Fathers club Marutaha in Maidstone Kent in 1983 and gained his Black belt in 1997,
He is part of the FPJ instruction team working to standardise coaching in the BJC across the length and breadth of the country.
Titles and Achievements
4th Dan BJC (2025)
BJC Inclusion Team (2024-)
BJC HeadQuarters Committee (2025-)
FPJ Tutor (2022-)
AJC Senior Club Coach (2016-)
Ju-jitsu 2nd Dan (2000)
BJC Area Table Official
Sensei Neil Younger 2nd Dan
Coach and Welfare Officer
Brief Bio
Neil began practicing Judo in 1983 at the age of six, continuing until he was 15 and reaching the grade of junior brown belt before stepping away from the sport.
Years later, inspired by enrolling his son Oscar into Judo, Neil felt the urge to return. At age 40, he restarted as a white belt and has since progressed steadily, achieving his 2nd Dan in early 2025. He is currently training towards his competitive 3rd Dan.
Titles and Achievements
BJC 2nd Dan (2025)
Club Welfare Officer for AJC (2024-)
FPJ Level 1 Coach (2024-)
BJC National Champion – 2023 and 2024
Sensei Paul Forrest 2nd Dan
Club Coach
Brief Bio
Paul Started Judo in 1983 at the age of 12 and achieved Kodokan Blackbelt in 1991.
He joined Addington JC in 2022 and is a close member of the team,
He was in the New Zealand Judo team for a number of years and competed in NZ and internationally as well as teaching children and adult's classes. Represented NZ in Judo, Shoot Wrestling (The first form of MMA) and Sumo Wrestling.
Titles and Achievements
NZ Judo champion in both Junior and Senior Men
NZ North Island Judo Champion senior men open weight at age of 19 (1990)
AJC Club Coach
Gold Medal at World Youth Championships (1990)
Fought in World Sumo Championships in Tokyo (1993)
Gained Black level in Wing Chun Kung Fu (2009)
Gained Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu BJJ (2024)
Sensei Lizzy Merredew 1st Dan
Assistant Coach
Brief Bio
Lizzy started judo aged 5 and has gone from strength to strength,
She is currently on the GB Squad ranked number 3 in the cadets (U18) and 11 in the juniors (U21) she attained her BJA Black belt aged 15 and 4 months and and after 6 months she is already half way towards her second dan,
as it stands has competed in over 100 competitions in Scotland, Slovakia, Italy, Spain, Germany and many more
Her judo career has yet to be completed so watch this space.
Titles and Achievements
BJA 1st Dan (2025)
BJC 1st Dan (2025)
BJC National Champion (2021 and 2022)
British Schools Champion (2024)
Kent International Champion (2023/2024)
Double Bronze (Juniors and Cadets) Scottish Open 2025
Deano Waters 1st Kyu
Club Coach
Brief Bio
Deano started Judo in 2020 at AJC as a white belt and quickly progressed through the ranks. He is now a competitive Brown Belt (1st Kyu) in the BJC and is working towards his Black Belt (Dan grade) He is passionate about Judo, both as a competitor and as a coach, holding an FPJ Level 1 coaching qualification with the BJC.
Titles and Achievements
BJC Brown Belt (1st Kyu)
FPJ Level 1 Coach
AJC Club Coach
Chalfont Champion 2025
Rhys Waters 2nd Kyu
Club Coach
Brief Bio
Rhys started Judo in 2015 at AJC and has proved to be a keen member of the coaching staff as well as an avid practitioner.
He is currently a competitive Blue Belt (2nd Kyu) in the BJC and is working towards his next grade, Rhys is a club referee and holds an FPJ Level 1 coaching qualification within the BJC.
Titles and Achievements
BJC Blue Belt (2nd Kyu)
FPJ Level 1 Coach
AJC Club Coach
BJC Club Level Referee (2023)