Part-time judo club in a rented hall

Parents of children and teens, plus adults who want a martial art or a fitness activity.

Monthly or term membership fees per student, plus grading fees and optional extras such as uniforms (judogi) and competition entry. Your main costs are hall rent and mat hire.

• Judo black belt or senior grade with coaching experience
• Teaching and managing groups of children safely
• Organizing schedules, sign-ups and payments

• Coaching qualifications: check what your provincial association and the facility require, including NCCP-style coach training
• Police record check with vulnerable sector screening, which many venues and associations expect when you work with children
• Liability insurance for the club and instructors; check whether affiliation with a provincial association provides cover or if you need your own
• Injury risk: use qualified first aid, written waivers and a clear safeguarding and safe sport policy
• Hall rent and mat storage can eat into fees if numbers are low, so check minimum commitments before signing
• Seasonality: numbers often dip in summer and rise in September and January

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on mats, insurance, equipment and hall hire. Check minimum commitments with the venue before signing, since hall rent can eat into fees if numbers are low.

You need a judo black belt or senior grade with coaching experience, the ability to teach and manage groups of children safely, and organizing skills for schedules, sign-ups and payments. The estimate starts at around six hours a week.

Check what your provincial association and the facility require, including NCCP-style coach training. Also check police record checks with vulnerable sector screening, liability insurance cover, first aid, waivers and safe sport policies.