Lord provost in a grapple to mark major victory for Scottish Ju Jitsu Association
ByAndrew Liddle
Lord Provost and SSJA patron Bob Duncan gets to grips with the art of Ju Jitsu as he grapples Patxi Escribana Lasa, 4th Dan Ju Jitsu and SJJA national coach.
The Scottish Ju Jitsu Association (SSJA) has reopened in Dundee, after a five-year battle to secure new premises.
The new premises were opened on Friday by Dundee Lord Provost Bob Duncan, who was happy to show some of his grappling skills.
The grand reopening marks a major milestone for the organisation, which is also celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.
The group was kicked out of its original premises on Dens Street, where it had been for 27 years, in 2008.
Since then members have fought to rebuild a site at 93 Douglas Street, a location that had only three walls and a roof at the time they took it over.
Over the next five years the SSJA developed their new premises, adding a new wall and levelling the concrete-flagged floor.
Sportscotland helped support the project with a £50,000 cash injection, adding to the considerable sums already donated by members.
Caroline Ross, executive administrator for the group, said: “This was a monumental effort resulting in what we believe and understand to be a new chapter in the work of the SJJA, and one which will leave a legacy to those young people who will succeed.”
Lord provost in a grapple to mark major victory for Scottish Ju Jitsu Association
