A POPULAR judo coach who introduced countless Darlington children to the sport over three decades has sadly died aged 67.

Ian Raine had been involved with the The Koizumi Judo Club in Darlington for around 30-years, both as a well-loved coach of children and adult’s judo and also as the club’s treasurer.

He died on March 20 following a short battle with cancer, leaving behind his wife Julie, son Andrew, daughter Sarah and two young grandchildren.

Julie said that Ian was passionate about his role in the judo club after his teenage interest in the sport was rekindled when he took his children to classes.

She said: “He took Andrew along and a coach called Alan Dodds was still there who used to teach Ian and his sister when they were young.

“Ian was sat on the sidelines telling him what to do and Alan said ‘never mind being on the sidelines, get yourself on the mat!’ and that’s when it started really.

“The children lost interest when they became teenagers but Ian didn’t.

“He went into all the coaching, getting his badges and all the health and safety things you have to do and because he worked in finance, he used to do the accounts for the club.”

The Koizumi club ran from a building on Larchfield Street when Ian first joined and is now on Bondgate, having had several bases around the town in the last 30-years.

It has a strong ethos of ensuring judo is accessible to all regardless of money or background and that is something that Ian also felt strongly about.

Julie said: “Even not that long ago they only charged £2 or something like that, just a nominal fee to try and cover the costs of the room hire.

“No-one involved in the club is in it for financial gain, they all volunteer their time and any money that is made goes into the club’s equipment.

“All of them are involved in it for the love of it.”

This community-minded approach extended to Christmas and Easter time when Julie recalls scouring the shelves to buy bargain selection boxes and Easter eggs on behalf of the club so that every young member received something.

Julie, who was married to Ian for 42-years, said: “He was a generous person, he was a kind person; if he could help somebody out, he would.”

She added: “Nothing stopped him from judo, even more so when we were retired; if we were going out he’d always say ‘we will have to be back for judo’.”

Julie said that Ian was a ‘perfectionist’ in any job he did and he‘absolutely adored’ his grandchildren, saying one of his biggest regrets following his tragic diagnosis was that he would not see them grow up.

A spokesman for the Koizumi club described him as a well-loved coach and dedicated member of the team.

He said: “ Koizumi Judo Club is a community club and Ian was adamant throughout that the sport should be accessible to anyone.

“The club was therefore non-profit and nobody was turned away if they couldn’t pay and provided with equipment if they couldn’t afford it.

“Ian made time for the club that he loved over the years and will be sadly missed by other coaches and students past and present.”