The South East Performance Cell for judo was launched at Redbridge Judo Club on Wednesday March 31st.

As a Sport England initiative the England ExCell Programme is designed to ensure that emerging players are developing technically, nurtured and then transferred successfully to the Great Britain programme.

The ExCell programme aims to help players achieve success in the sport through the work of each Performance Cell. This is achieved by working to increase the quality contact time on a week to week basis and identifying players for the England Talent Development Programme.

England ExCell Coordinator Matt Divall said: “We want to set up regular training based around technical skills and the fundamentals.

“The Cell System is designed to provide a link between clubs, the England Core programme and the British Performance Programme. The Performance Cell will provide an additional 20 hours of training to our England Talent Development players.”

The South East Cell is the third in the system after the North West launched in December 2009 and Midlands in January 2010. The British Judo Association allocates up to £12,000 per annum to each Performance Cell.

“We want to increase the volume of hours players spend training and the long-term goal is a Cell in each area.”

Two further Cells will launch this month with Pinewood coming into operation on April 14th and Tonbridge on April 28 th

Divall added: “We are working are on launching West Yorkshire and the North East which will take us to five operational cells.

Redbridge Judo Club train in Ilford, Essex, IG3 8QW. Boys and girls train on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 19:00 – 21:30 while men and women train on the same days at 20:00 – 21:30.

Media Contact:
Mark Pickering
British Judo
(t) 01509 631674
(e) mark.pickering@britishjudo.org.uk