IT’S been a tough year for sports clubs across the country but two West Fife martial arts schools are relishing a return to greater normality.

Last month, we reported that Carnegie Judo Club and Fudog Mixed Martial Arts, based in Dunfermline’s Lynburn Industrial Estate, had been able to resume outdoor classes as COVID-19 restrictions began to ease.

Like many others, they have had to adjust their offerings over the course of the pandemic, which included developing videos on technique to practise at home.

Judo and martial arts are predominantly indoor- and contact-based, which led to their venues having to remain closed while indoor sport was not allowed under coronavirus guidelines.

However, clubs across the country have begun to return to the Dojo as the Scottish Government’s road-map permits under-18s to resume the sport once more indoors.

Carnegie Judo Club and Fudog Mixed Martial Arts, run by Jim and Iain Feenan, have thrown open their doors and are now providing indoor opportunities throughout the week for exisiting and new members to develop their skills, increase their fitness and socialise with their peers.

Jim, who is head coach of Carnegie Judo Club, explained: “We are delighted to see the club return to the Dojo.

“A return to indoor judo is not just a boost for physical health but also mental health – there is a real sense of community in the Dojo.

“We are offering a new Tots class for two- to four-year-olds on Saturday mornings, followed by a beginners’ class and then our more advanced/squad class. We also have a Monday evening junior class and two senior classes on Monday and Thursday evenings; although the seniors are allowed indoors the training session is no-contact movement and cardio work.

“For all the activities, we take the safety of our members and our coaches seriously, which is why we aim to comply with JudoScotland’s COVID-19 club guidance procedures, to ensure that safety is at the forefront of our return.”

With providing a safe return to the sport a priority for the clubs and JudoScotland, the sport’s governing body, they have been working together with sportscotland to provide coaches and volunteers with the resources and training that they need to come back in a COVID-safe environment.

Ronnie Saez, JudoScotland chairman, commented: “Judo in Scotland has been hit hard over the past year, as for many, judo is more than a sport, it is a community and a way of life. It has been inspiring to see the judo community in Scotland come together – albeit virtually – to support one another through this challenging time. We can’t wait to see all our member clubs return to the Dojo and enjoy judo again.”

Both Carnegie Judo Club and Fudog Martial Arts, whose venue has been refurbished during the time they haven’t been able to host classes, saw their operations impacted severely last year due to the pandemic.

Last month, outdoor, non-contact activities for groups of up to 15 adults, and for 12-17-year-olds, were allowed to resume, which prompted an encouraging response.

Iain said: “When we initially closed, we probably had 40-50 kids a weekend coming through the door over the course of the three classes, and when we opened back up again, we probably had 30-40.

“We didn’t get that much of a drop-off across the classes. Because it’s outdoors and it’s not technically judo stuff, some people have chosen not to come back, but have let us know they’ll come back when it’s indoors.

“We’re slowly getting back into the swing of things with running classes and a bit of normality.

“From September to December, we were running two or three classes a night, and they were stowed out with 15 people each.

“That was the maximum we could get into the building safely so, if we can get back to that, we’ll be flying.”

Kids’ judo classes, ladies’ boot camps and MMA solo drills, outdoor, are on offer at the Dojo and new members are welcome.

For further information on Carnegie Judo Club and Fudog Martial Arts, and to find out the classes they offer and how to join, you can find them on Facebook.