2006 has been a highly successful year for the Blackwater Judo Club (Maldon). Essex County Council and Essex Active Sport have recently accredited the club with the Club SX Gold Award. The club lead by Sensei John Pegram 4th Dan (AEJF), BNMAA (hons.) submitted a comprehensive portfolio of evidence to support its application. The evidence submitted for the accreditation covered club management, first aid training, the club code of practice, health and safety and child protection policies and practices. The evidence submitted received very favourable comment from the accreditation body as did the organisation and practices of the club.

The club has been in existence since 2000 when it split from the Tsumokie Judo Club in order to be financially independent, and became the Blackwater Judo Club (Maldon). The club is run as a non-profit making community club and as such it has prospered since its formation. It now has a membership of 120 senior and junior judokas and due to demand has expanded from its Saturday morning sessions at the West Maldon Community Centre to run additional sessions at the Blackwater Leisure Centre on a Thursday evening. The association with the Blackwater Leisure Centre has meant that the club has been able to organise a number of Newaza (Groundwork) competitions on behalf of the All England Judo Federation of which John Pegram is one of the Founders and Secretary. These competitions have proved extremely popular drawing competitors from far a wide impressed by the events organisation, competitive but friendly spirit and the venue. The key aim for the club is to promote Judo as a Martial Art for everyone.

In its community role the club stages many social gatherings for parents and judokas and participates in community events. The club is equally proud of its fund raising for its adopted charity, Farleigh Hospices. By staging sponsored throw for throw with senior and junior judokas participating and other fund raising activities the club has raised thousands for this worthwhile cause.