History

New Judo Club in Edmundston

Le Madawaska-March 22nd 1978-JLP

The new Edmundston CENTRAL JUDO CLUB which was founded with the return in our region of instructor Bertin Bossé from Saint-Jacques has already given the chance to at least 20 of his 40 members, juniors and seniors, to participate to a provincial competition on Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11, competition that took place at UNB University in Fredericton.

Eight of the participants won trophies for best first, second and third place.

The photograph taken upon arrival of the participants shows most of the members, and all of the trophy winners.

In order, starting from front row, we have:

Ronald Thibodeau, Jeannot Bossé, Fernande Devost, Gaetan Cloutier, Charles Bossé, Robert Lagassé and Joyce Cyr.

In second row, we have, Bertin Bossé, instructor, Jules Bossé, Guildo Ouellet, Conrad Bossé, Adrien St-Onge, François Thériault, Gérald Cassidy, Gérald Landry and Jacques Godin.

In the back, we have, Gilles Morin, Jacques Bonenfant, Michael Cassidy, Gilbert Dubé, Roger Rossignol and Linda Stand.

From the members of CENTRAL JUDO CLUB, the trophy winners of the recent provincial competition are:

Jeannot Bossé, first place, yellow to black belts, 115 pounds; Bertin Bossé, first place, blue to black belts, 189 pounds; Jacques Godin, first for blue to black belts, 143 pounds; Guildo Ouellet, first also, in yellow to green belts, 143 pounds and Conrad Bossé, first in the same category, 172 pounds.

Jules Bossé, yellow to black belts, 172 pounds; Fernande Devost in ladies, 144 pounds, yellow to black belts, both received the second prize.

Gérald Landry, 189 pounds, yellow to green belts came in third place, with a bronze medal.

Club activities for 14 years old and over are taking place on the theatre of the Saint-Louis-Maillet University at 7:30 pm, on wednesday and also at 2:30 pm on saturday and sunday.

Members from 6-14 years of age are also practicing at the same location on saturday and sunday at 1:30pm.

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Jean-Paul Grelié is a Judo pioneer figure in the Edmundston Region.

Even thought Judo courses were given at Cormier school in Edmundston by Ron Melançon at the beginning of 1970, Mr. Grelié gets the title of the first Judo promotor in the North West.

In Jan.1971, with the arrival of Mr.Grelié in our region, Judo has a new beginning.  He founds his first Judo club.

The courses were given at St-Louis College, now Moncton University, Edmundston Campus.

Mr. Grelié had great aspirations.  More than 225 members in different parts of our region, St-Quentin, St-Anne, St-Leonard, Clair and Edmundston.

Born in Nantes, France on Jan.1, 1932, Jean-Paul Grelié was Judo instructor between 70-78.  Besides forming great competitors, Mr.Grelié showed them philosophic aspects of the Japanese Martial Art, through flexibility.

Developping flexibility, and a good mental balance was necessary to train good Judokas.  His influence comes from his experience at the Judo school, KAWASHI, in France, where he first started  his career.

Mr. Grelié also trained people in our region that were able to pick up where he left off.

We think of Bertin Bossé and Jules Bossé, who founded CENTRAL JUDO CLUB, and OTOSHI.

Jean-Paul Grelié managed Judokas in our region towards the acheivement of many prestigious provincial Judo titles.

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Birth of a great dream

Thirty years ago, in 1978, was the birth of the biggest Bertin Bossé's dream.   This deam became reality and still is in 2008.  Today, with his loved ones, it is his turn to enjoy the important realisations for the Edmundston Judo world.

HIS DEBUT

Bertin Bossé first started Judo at 17 years of age with Jean-paul Grelié.  This was in 1971 to 1973.  From 73 to 77, he was a member of the RCMP.  He practiced Judo in Montreal with the HAKUDOKAN Club, with Raymond Damblant, sixth DAN.

In february of 1978, he opens up his own Edmundston Judo club, to replace Jean-paul Grelié.  It was taken over for a short period of time by Jean-Louis Beaulieu.  But Bertin Bossé finally took Judo's destiny in his hands and founded the EDMUNDSTON CENTRAL JUDO CLUB.

This did not stop our hero's motivation to compete.  During his instructor years, he remained an active participant in competitions up until 36 years of age, until 1989.

ATHLETIC PROFILE

In June of 1973, Bertin Bossé participated for the first time in a National competition in Whitehorse, Yukon, with team New-Brunswick.

His work then brought him to represent the Quebec team from 73-77 at the same championships.  He also participated in different competitions, provincials, Canada East, CNE Internationals in Toronto and British Open in London, England.

From 78-79, our athlete participated in many provincial, national and Atlantic competitions.

His participation to the first JEUX DE LA FRANCOPHONIE in Moroco was remarquable.  He participated as a referee, organisor, trainer and of course, participant for the EDMUNDSTON CENTRAL JUDO CLUB.

Since 1988, Bertin Bossé is the leading source for the Canada East competition, presented in Edmundston.

He obtained his 6th DAN(ROKINDAN) on Nov.23, 2005. 

Many of his members qualified and participated, year after year, to many provincial competitions, Atlantic, Canada East, Canada games and Canadian championships.

THE MAN AND JUDO

The pride of an accomplished mission goes beyond his own success.  Judo will become a WAY OF LIFE, will give him a sense of accomplished duty.  Without him, Judo  in Edmundston would probably have died in 1978.

He chose this sport because it brings him peace, confidence and self-control.  He lives by this sport that is more than a simple physical activity, but also a mental developpement activity.

Many great athletes which proved themselves on a National level emerged from the Edmundston Judo scene.

Bertin Bossé's teaching years brought to more than 600 young athletes, the desire of self-respect and respect to others.  ''People are becoming more disciplined and motivated to reach their goals'' says Mr.Bossé.

But behind his Judo school success, Bertin Bossé mentions his partner in life, his wife, Ginette.  Bertin having been inspired all his life by Martial Arts, preoccupied by his great passion, Judo, had to leave the businessman life aside.  ''When she would see that my business and all the responsibilities that come with it were being taken care of, I had more time to give to Judo.  She is a major contributor to my Judo school success, without being directly implicated.  Yes, we invested physically, personnaly and financially'' Bertin is mentionning.

Bertin's life resume: 30 years of Judo, 25 years as a school bus driver, 26 years as owner of an old age home, a wife that he cherishes, champion athletes formed by his school, and of course, his twin sons, René-Pierre and André-Pierre(black belts, 2-DAN) who are walking in their dad's path.