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Olympic stars line up to launch new sports venue

A new venue for judo and gymnastics will be launched by a host of Olympic stars from both sports on Saturday 9 April.

Lincolnshire’s Higashi Judo Kwai has been the driving force behind acquiring the permanent location on Vale Road Industrial Estate where the club will be joined by Spilsby and Coastal Gymnastics, a registered British Gymnastics club.

Storm UK Kickboxing, Spilsby Juice Street Dance and Foundation personal training will also be based at the venue.

The judo outfit’s move from King Edward VI Humanities College has been aided by support from their sponsors Core Construction Limited, the Co-operative and Jacksons Building Centre.

Higashi will welcome the Mayor of Spilsby and British Judo chairman Densign White to launch the venue while Olympic bronze medallist Neil Eckersley and world bronze medallist Steve Gawthorpe will be among those also in attendance.

Club official Caroline Hereward said: “The project began in 2010 when my husband and club coach David set about finding a suitable permanent venue.

“David looked at several properties and found that Unit 5B would become vacant as of February 2011. From here he secured the lease and went about applying for planning permission to turn the warehouse into a permanent judo and gymnastics venue.

“On the 21 February David secured planning permission and got the keys for the first time, he now had a major task on his hands as the venue needed a full fire alarm system, emergency lights, disabled toilet and generally making the venue safe and warm.

“With David’s forward planning and plenty of support from our sponsors by early March after just three weeks David has nearly completed all works and we have now set a date for the opening event which is set to be an amazing day.”

From the world of gymnastics retired Sydney Olympian and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Craig Heap will be present while UKCC level 2 coach Sarah Bailey will lead a gymnastics display from 11.15.

The first judo session at the new venue will start at midday and will be led by former British internationals Dermot Heslop and Steve Gawthorpe who will be joined by club coach David Hereward and Chantelle Stanbra, daughter of club president and 3rd Dan Alan Stanbra. 7th Dan Barry Hereward, a senior examiner, international team coach and club technical advisor will oversee the session.

Higashi Judo Club is moving to Unit 5B Vale Road Ind Est, Spilsby, PE23 5HE. For more information please visit http://www.spilsbyjudoclub.org.uk/


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