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On Saturday
20 th January Redbridge Judo Club will officially unveil it’s
new £1 million facility based on Mitcham Road, in Ilford.
The club boasts a 18m x
10m contest area on a sprung floor, male and female changing rooms,
a kitchen, a coaching/lecture room, full disabled facilities plus
an outside multi sports games area.
The new facility was made
possible by funding through the Community Club Development Programme
(CCDP), which is an innovative collaboration between Government
- the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sport England and
16 National Governing Bodies. As such, the programme aims to bring
with it flexibility to encourage creative approaches to enhancing
club facilities and increasing participation by members of the
local community particularly those who are traditionally under
represented in sports participation.
The British Judo Association
identified the club in 2004 as a judo facility that needed significant
improvement, and because of this it was presented as part of the
Association’s submission for funding.
“Redbridge met the criteria
for the CCDP funding, as amongst other things it had the potential
to create a sustainable and viable sports club infrastructure,
could link into schools and provide support and pathways for talented
individuals, as well as meet the needs of the local community.”
explains Mark Beecher, British Judo’s Head of Development.
“It has taken three years
from application to this point, and the club have worked with
us to create a fantastic facility, which will be an asset to the
entire Community.”
The club has enjoyed much
success over the years with members Kerry Sandy and Sue Roberts
winning medals at European Masters tournaments. They have also
had many members who have represented Britain internationally
and regularly produce medal winners in national competitions.
Present at opening will
be Chairman of the British Judo Association, Densign White and
the Major of the London Borough of Redbridge, Councillor Kumar.
The official opening will
be marked with a judo session for the club members at noon run
by Densign, a three times Olympian and World medallist, and Andrew
Moshanov, British Judo’s Technical Director. The official opening
ceremony will take place at 12.45 with the official ribbon cutting
ceremony and speeches including words from Councillor Kumar.
Chairman of Redbridge Judo
Club Terry Roberts said, “This is a fantastic development. We
still cannot believe it is real. It has enabled us to ensure that
Redbridge Judo Club is here for many years to come”.
Densign White, Chairman
of the British Judo Association said, “ The new venue is a credit
to the volunteers at Redbridge Judo Club. The facility will be
invaluable for our grass roots participants right through to athletes
competing internationally.”
“A club such as this also
no doubt helps to attract and retain new participants into our
sport.”
Andy Sacha Interim Regional
Director for Sport England London said, "Sport England is
fully committed to its support for initiatives such as this, that
not only go a long way towards meeting our shared objective of
increasing participation in sport and physical activity, but do
so by resourcing a well-established club and the coaches and volunteers
associated with it.”
"With 2012 just over
the Olympic horizon, who knows what contribution this facility
might make to what is already a well established medal winning
sport at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games" he added.
The club holds sessions
at the following times, and welcomes new members:
Monday: 7pm-8.30pm (beginners
and juniors)
Wednesday: 6.45-8pm (juniors)
8pm-9.30pm (seniors)
Friday: 7.00-8.30pm (all
abilities).
All welcome. Anyone interested
in attending a judo class can call Senior Club Coach Steve Sandy
on 07976 771373.
 
Before
& After!
For further information:
Emma Reed
Head of Communications
British Judo
Direct Line: +44(0)1509
631 692
Mobile: +44(0)7875 368
495
Fax: +44 (0) 1509 631 680
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