With the judo season just around the corner, Judo Yukon president Dan Poelman is hoping for higher numbers for 2011-2012.

Especially where high-level Outside competitions are concerned.

Poelman pointed to the Alaska State Championships in Anchorage and the Edmonton International Judo Championships as being staples in the judo season.

Drawing fighters to commit to these events can be impeded by a lack of interest and funding.

"And finding enough people we think are ready for tournaments of that caliber,” Poelman said.

Judo Yukon is comprised in part of four Whitehorse clubs: the Hiroshikai Judo Club (HRK), the Northern Lights Judo Club (NLJ), the Shiroumakai Judo Club (SHK) and the Golden Horn Judo Club (GHJ).

The next registration for the HRK will be on Friday from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Holy Family Elementary School in Porter Creek. Northern Lights registration is today from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Emilie Tremblay Elementary

School in Granger and again on Sept. 22 at the same time and place. SHK registration will be on Sept. 26 and Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Vanier Catholic Secondary School. And GHJ will hold its registration Oct. 14 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Golden Horn Elementary.

Judo Yukon will gauge interest for Outside competitions based on the number of fighters who sign up for the season, Poelman said.

"Usually members will come back, and typically they'll bring a friend or two,” he said.

"We were very pleased with last year's results. That was very encouraging.

Kids were already asking back in August, ‘When is Judo starting again?'

That's very encouraging, that people want to come back, and there are new members as well that were inquiring, parents in particular.”

Part of that growing interest comes from attracting Outside coaches and referees that visit Whitehorse to hold clinics, Poelman added, adding of the group's popularity: "It's been very significant and we're getting more organized.”

For a full list of calendar events, visit www.judoyukon.ca.