Manchester United Football Club launched their Premier League 4Sport programme yesterday with the assistance of John O’Shea, Michael Carrick, Wes Brown and Danny Welbeck at the Manchester Health Academy.

The launch was hosted by the Manchester United Foundation along with the four Premier League 4Sport programme sports, Judo, Volleyball, Table Tennis and Badminton.

Judoka Sarah Clark, Beijing Olympian and 2009 European Silver medallist, was also present at the launch and introduced John O’Shea and Danny Welbeck to the sport. Both took to the mat along with young judoka from Swinton Judo Club. Swinton and Altrincham Judo Club will share the responsibilities as the hub clubs linked with Manchester United through the programme.

Swinton and Altrincham will both have two satellite club sites each situated in the local area.

John O’Shea, Manchester United and Ireland footballer, said: “This programme is fantastic, giving children the opportunity to try new sports such as judo and to get them involved in something that they may not of had the chance to do before”.

Commenting after he had been on the judo mat O’Shea said, “Judo is certainly a sport which can help break down barriers between participants and help to get children fit. I hadn’t tried judo before but it was great fun.

“Before today I wasn’t totally sure what judo involved but I now know that there is no kicking or punching and it is all about outwitting your opponent with a variety of skills and techniques”.

Sarah Clark said: “The Premier League 4Sport programme will give vast amounts of children the opportunity to try different sports and help to encourage them to participate in sports that they may not have tried before.

“Judo is a sport which not many people have tried but is a fantastic activity that children of all ages and sizes can get involved in and enjoy”.

This launch is part of the continuing roll out of the Premier League 4Sport programme across the country which has now been launched at seven of the twenty 2008/09 Premier League football clubs.

Daniel Griffin, Children and Young People Development Manager for the British Judo Association said: “The launches have been coming thick and fast which is fantastic for the programme and for our sport. The programme is really kicking off now, which is the culmination of hours of hard work behind the scenes by all four governing bodies and key stakeholders.

“With the assistance from brands such as Manchester United, we can introduce judo to young people that we would not have been able to reach before. This can only benefit our sport and help us progress”.

Report by James Sills

Manchester United and Ireland football

star John O’Shea getting to grips with judo

For further information:
Daniel Griffin
British Judo’s Children and Young People Development Manager
(t) 07817 995093
(e) daniel.griffin@britishjudo.org.uk

Press Contact:
James Sills
(t) 07967957873
(e) james.sills@britishjudo.org.uk