Inducted into AMAHOF (Inc) for 2021 – Continual Excellence and Service to the Australasian Martial Arts Community
Inducted into WKUHOF for 2021- Continual Excellence and Service to the Australasian Martial Arts Community
Sensei Wayne has competed in Judo regionally and internationally and, at the age of 41, achieved 4th Dan Black Belt while in Japan with Sensei Kevin Prime. His passion for Judo has seen Sensei Wayne share his knowledge and experience with many students, teaching more than 700 students in his home town of Bendigo in Victoria. He took that experience to the mat and refereed at state and national levels for many years.
 Canowindra School of Judo is the club he established in his home town. This club encouraged and supported students from all walks of life. Children as young as three years of age were welcomed to the mat. It was this club that also worked with students from Special Schools – Kaliana and DOXA students. These students found themselves struggling in main stream education systems. What was discovered, through Judo was, that as these pupils gained knowledge and confidence their academic achievements also improved. At a Tertiary level, Judo became inclusive as an integral component of a Physical Education degree course.
Also, a specialised course of instruction was introduced to a select group of female prisoners, where the focus of the group was to prepare the inmates for life after release, based on Judo principles. This saw these women lead more fruitful and worthwhile lives once they were released back into the community.
In Loving Memory of Wayne Swanton [1951-2024] whose Legacy Continues to Inspire Us.