British Judo announce European Cadet Team

A 15-strong British Cadet team has been selected to compete in the 2010 European Cadet Championships, held in Teplice, Czech Republic from 25th - 27th June.

The Championships is the biggest international event on the youngster’s calendar with Europe’s elite under the age of 17 years-old competing along 16 weight categories.

The selected team competed in the EJU Polish Cadet ‘A’ Tournament last month, which saw Britain’s first gold medal at this event plus one bronze medal and two 5th places, a set of positive results ahead of the Europeans.

Taking the gold medal in Sczcyrk, Poland was -48kg fighter Freya De Chastelain whose profile also boasts gold medals at the 2010 Venray International, 2010 Northern Ireland Open and is the current British Cadet Champion in her respective weight category.

De Chastelain should also benefit from a good draw as she is currently ranked 6th on the EJU Cadets Ranking List.

Kyle Sweet was another cadet who competed in the 2010 Venray International just two weeks ago and reigns as British Champion. Sweet grabbed the opportunity with both hands when the England programme ran an organised but self funded trip through the Midland and North West ExCells, and won the gold in the -60kg competition.

Three players from Scotland, including current British Champion Conall McGregor (-81kg), Dominic Laing (-90kg) and Loren Harris (-44kg), will compete in their respective weight categories. And from Wales, Jade Lewis will compete in the -52kg competition, in which she took a silver medal last month at the Cadet European Cup in Coimbra, Portugal.

Other reigning British Cadet Champions include Sam Hall (-50kg), Matthew Kavanagh (-73kg), Becky Livesey (-63kg) and Hannah Lewis (+70kg).

Karen Roberts, Performance Operations Manager, observed the team in Poland and said, “The European Championships is a very important development event for this young group to experience the European level at this stage.

“The players have been to various competitions and camps on the EJU circuit, including Russia and Poland, as well as domestic camps where the whole squad comes together. The England Programme has really come together, with players benefitting from weekly sessions at the ExCells and the other Home Countries have their own programmes as well.

“We also have important and valuable input from the player’s Clubs who have supported the programme all the way and will help these players to progress long term.”

The youngsters will undertake their final European preparations at a three-day training camp at Kendal Judo Club from Friday 11th to Sunday June 13th.

Full selection: