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Stoke City‘s trademark
tenacity and competitive edge was on display as their young followers
took part in the club’s first Premier League 4 Sport judo competition
on Monday at Moorlside High School.
The in-form Potters have
been running the judo portion of the Government programme for
eight weeks and have generated enormous interest in the sport
with pupils across the city.
Coach Jason Allen, 43,
a former Wales and Great Britain international, delivers sessions
at a host of schools including hosts Moorlside as part of the
national programme which also offers badminton, table tennis and
volleyball.
The impact of the programme
has recently been recognised by Sports Coach UK who have shortlisted
the PL4S for their Coaching Intervention of the Year Award.
The contests were all based
on groundwork – or ne-waza to give it its official Japanese name
- a methodical and energy-sapping element of judo which sees novice
competitor’s work against each other’s bodyweight to try and subdue
their opponent by pinning them on their back.
Jason Allen refereed the
contests as players from year 7, 8, 9 and 10 took to the mat.
The fledgling players all
showed a great appetite and enthusiasm for the sport as their
class mates cheered them on.
Allen was overjoyed with
how the competition unfolded and expressed his hopes for the future
of the programme in North Staffordshire.
“We’ve been running the
judo for eight weeks and so to have a competition this early and
for the children to work so hard is tremendous,” said the Birmingham-based
veteran.
“I’ve seen some of the
young players who may be more reserved in training absolutely
come alive in the competition. Everyone gave it their all and
I think I’ve seen some budding stars.
“I want to develop these
young players and fast-track them to reach the next level and
give them everything we can to excel in the sport.”
Dawn Bracegirdle, Stoke
City’s Premier League 4 Sport Programme Manager, said: “The competition
was excellent and the children had a fantastic time.
“The judo sessions at Moorlside
with Jason have been hugely popular and I’m particularly pleased
with how we’ve been able to engage so many female participants.
A lot of credit must go to the support of the school, both Dan
Brown the School Sports Coordiantoe and Head of PE, Mike Montifroy,
have been outstanding in their support and commitment to the project.
“We’re hoping to link up
with other Premier League sides in the near future to stage competitions
on a bigger scale in the West Midlands.”
Joanne Walker, British
Judo’s West Midlands Development Officer, said: “I’m working with
coaches in the area to establish an exit route in the form of
a community club by early 2011.”
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