Debbie Clarke
Debbie Clarke began training jujutsu in 1965 at the Swanbourne
Police and Citizens Youth Club with an instructor who had been
taught by Jan de Jong. In 1972 she transferred to the Jan de
Jong Self Defence School in Hay Street, Perth and continued
training with Jan de Jong until his death in 2003. Debbie
became engrossed in training under the gentle guidance of the great
but humble Master Jan De Jong and with his wife Margaret, as an
inspiration and role model. During those 38 years she trained
in jujutsu, pencak silat, kenjutsu, iaijutsu, stick arts and a
variety of other Japanese weapons.
Debbie commenced teaching Jujutsu around 1975, running branches
of the Jan de Jong Self Defence school and teaching at high
schools. She was the chief female instructor at the school
until 2002 and developed a comprehensive self defence course for
women. From 1987 until 1998 she was National Womens' Coach
for the Australian Jujitsu Association.
Debbie graded shodan in Tsutsumi Hozan Ryu Jujutsu in 1982, the
first woman to attain that grade. In the same year, Debbie
had the honour of accompanying Jan de Jong to Europe, along with 7
other instructors. It was an exciting trip, and a revelation
to his students as they realized their good fortune in having an
instructor that put all others in the shade. Jan de Jong was
highly respected throughout Europe, not just for his skills, but
for his humble demeanor and friendliness. Debbie enjoyed
several other teaching trips with Jan, both to Europe and
Indonesia. The first of the Clarkes' 2 children was born in
1984, putting an end to most of her travelling.
Over the years Debbie has conducted courses and workshops for
hundreds of groups and institutions, including security personnel,
hospitals, prisons, seniors groups, women's groups, people with
disabilities, WACOSS, universities and schools.
In 1990 Debbie attended her first WinMAA (Network for women in
Martial Arts Australia) in Adelaide. She was one of a small
group of women who started the WA branch of WinMAA. Over the
years that she attended these conferences throughout Australia, the
Jujutsu seminars she presented were extremely well received.
WinMAA WA hosted 3 national conferences over the next 12
years.
In 2001 Debbie realized a long term dream and started her own
martial arts school, Southern Cross Bujutsu. This has enabled
her to put into practice the many ideas she had been developing
with regard to the teaching of jujutsu particularly to women,
children, and people with special needs.
After the passing of Jan de Jong, her husband Peter joined her
and has developed Tsutsumi Jugo Ryu, the jujutsu system now taught
at SCB. During this time Debbie trained Brazilian jujutsu for
18 months with Will Cunningham, another excellent and
inspirational teacher. She has also attempted Brazilian
jujutsu seminars with John Wills.
In 2010, 28 years after receiving her shodan in Tsutsumi Ryu
from Shihan Jan De Jong, and after training for 9 years with Peter
Clarke, Debbie graded the final section of nidan in Tsutsumi Jugo
Ryu. Her grading partner was Dale Elsdon whom she had taught
as a young boy in the Hamersley branch of Jan De Jong Self Defence
School 20 years ago.
Debbie's other qualifications include:
- Level 2 National Coaching accreditation in general coaching
principles;
- member of Track and Field Coaches Association for 10 years ;
and
- certificates as a Registered Nurse in pediatrics, general and
orthopedic and spinal injuries.