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Kingsley School will name
their new judo training facility after the school’s long-time
judo coach John Davies who passed away suddenly in November 2009.
John, who was regarded
as a tireless worker and an outstanding coach, also served as
one of the school’s governors.
Simon Ward, 37, a former
British international and current Torquay Judo Club coach, was
recently appointed as the club’s new coach and is keen to acknowledge
the work of his predecessor.
“I knew and respected John for many
years as a friend and colleague,” he said.
“I’ll do my best to develop
the initiatives he instituted, maintaining the Kingsley Academy
High Performance Programme at Team Bath and increasing Kingsley’s
participation in the Independent Schools’ Judo Championships.”
The school, which steers
pupils from nursery through to sixth form, has a strong sporting
tradition, currently housing some of Devon’s leading sports prospects.
Ward, a former Devon County Squad coach currently coaches three
British squad members, one of whom being Kingsley’s own Adam Palmer.
1 st Dan Palmer, 18, has previously trained at the world renowned
Tokei University in Tokyo, Japan under Yasuhiro Yamashita, a four-time
World Champion and 1984 gold medallist.
Ward, who is now Adam’s
club and school coach, holds the bright talent in high regard.
“I’ve never met a more focused judo
fighter, Adam puts his heart and soul into training, he is a well
respected club member and will always take time out to help and
motivate other club members.”
In his new role as school
coach the Brit will be working alongside the famed judo academy
at Bath University.
“The school have appointed
me to take over the schools judo coaching which
works as a future academy for Bath University. The school offer
students from Britain and Europe judo scholarships so that they
can continue to reach a high level education and train full time
at the school and at Bath on the AASE Programme.
“I believe the school could
be a very good attraction to good fighters who could use the school
as a good opportunity to train and compete within judo as well
as receiving a good education either at a level or GCSE,” he added.
Kingsley School, which
was previously known as Grenville College, has been used by the
British Judo Association to host a UKCC course and England regional
sessions.
The new dojo is scheduled
to be officially opened before the end of summer term in July.
Kingsley School train in
Bideford, EX39 3LY. Boys and girls train on Wednesday at 15:45
– 17:00 and on Thursday at 18:00 – 19:00.
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