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As part of
the BJA initiative for identifying, nurturing and progressing
talented young players in England, the first Performance Cell
was launched at Wigan Judo Club on Wednesday 9th December. To
be known as “ ExCell North West ”, the idea is to provide
a link and ‘stepping stone’ between clubs, the England Core programme
and the British Performance programme.
The format for the ExCell
North West is a technical session from 7.00–8.00pm for all England
Squad Cadet and Junior players, followed by an open randori session
from 8.00pm-9.30pm being held every Wednesday. The launch session
was attended by 26 players, coming from around the North West
and in addition several players travelled from Yorkshire and Humberside
to be involved in this exciting new initiative until a Cell is
set up in that area.
Led by Nigel Donohue, the
players practiced at a high intensity and covered various areas
of fundamental technical skills, something that will underpin
every technical and open randori at the ExCell. Supported by an
identified coaching team of Phil Sullivan, Chris Soakell and Matthew
Clempner and the England squad staff, it is hoped that the ExCell
will develop into high quality practice, with everybody aspiring
to succeed at international level in the North West attending.
England Excel Co-ordinator,
Matt Divall commented “This launch is only possible through the
North West committee, coaches, players and British Judo working
together for the benefit of the players in the Area. I’m delighted
by the response from everyone at the first session, there was
a great atmosphere in the dojo and this will only get better as
more people get involved”.
The second ExCell pilot
will be taking place in the Midlands, being held at the Walsall
campus of Wolverhampton University on Wednesday evenings. The
launch of the ExCell Midlands is on Wednesday 6th January 2010,
with the first session being led by GB Head Coach, Patrick Roux.
The format for the ExCell
Midlands sessions will be a technical session from 7.00pm - 8.00pm
for England Squad Cadet and Junior players and an open randori
from 8.00pm – 10.00pm. These sessions will be led by a coaching
team of Bill Kelly, Fitzroy Davis, Dennis Stewart, Dave Elmore
and several coaches from around Midland Area.
Heading towards the new
year, it is planned to set up ExCell’s in the Northern Home Counties,
South and London next, whilst discussions continue with other
areas about how Performance Cell may work and operate. Any questions
should be directed to Matt Divall, matt.divall@britishjudo.org.uk
ExCell North
West
Wigan Judo Club
Woodford Street, Pemberton,
Wigan, WN5 8AY Tel: 01942 212705
ExCell Midlands
University of Wolverhampton
(Walsall Campus)
Gorway Road, Walsall, WS1
3BD Tel: (Dave Elmore) 07905 680032
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