Press Release

     

Photo Opportunities/Media Invitation

The Mayor, Alderman Drew Thompson

Will launch

Two new Judo clubs as part of the Grassroots Judo Project in the Derry City Council area

On

Monday, 26 November

There will be two photo opportunities

11.00 am - at Sparta Hut, Brooke Park for the official launch of the Brooke Park Judo Club

and

1.00 pm - at St Columb’s Park Leisure Centre for the official launch of St Columb’s Judo Club.

Guests in attendance will include:

Norma Bowman, representing Sport Northern Ireland, Ben Corr and Barry O Hagan, Sports Development Section, Derry City Council, Jim Toland, grassroots judo development officer, Lisa Bradley, Gavin Abel and Robbie Irwin, as well as local schoolchildren who are already involved in the grassroots programme.

Ends

Notes to Editor:

The Mayor Alderman Drew Thompson will officiate at the re-launch of two new Judo clubs in the city under the Grassroots Judo Project on Monday. The project is co-ordinated by the Grassroots Judo Development Officer, Jim Toland and supported by Derry City Council, the Northern Ireland Judo Federation and Sport Northern Ireland.

The clubs were once well known more than fifteen years ago when Brooke Park in particular helped produce stars like Terry Watt, Gavin Abel and many more under the direction of the late Boots/Hugh McCann.

Gavin Abel is the current British silver medallist in the masters section, the current Commonwealth champion at masters level and holds a 4th degree black belt and he will be the main coach at Brooke park when it opens up its doors in the Sparta hut on Wednesday 28th of November. Terry Watt needs no introduction as he is the most profiled male player in not only Ireland but throughout the world as a top class athlete who competed at European and world and Olympic level, and continues now to compete at the highest level in masters Judo. He has just recently won the European Masters Judo Championships defending his title that he won last year.

St. Columb’s Park Leisure Centre will be the base for the St. Columb’s Park Judo Club under the guidance of Dr Lisa Bradley a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Current commonwealth masters Gold Medallist, and 2 times world masters champion. She is the most profiled female Judo international to have competed for Northern Ireland in the last fifteen years. Lisa herself started her Judo Career at St. Columb’s Park Judo Club. The lead male coach will be former Brooke Park Club member and former Northern Ireland and Irish champion, Robbie Irwin.

The Mayor, welcoming the relaunch of the two clubs said he was confident they would in the coming years, once again produce the champions of the future.

“I am delighted to be part of this initiative and believe the setting up of two new judo clubs in the city will greatly assist in the future development of the sport in the North West region. The Council remains committed to the development of sports in the city and to encouraging the public, particularly young people, to get involved in sports activities and a healthier lifestyle.”

He added that the Council remains committed to the development of the National Centre of Excellence, which is planned for St Columb’s Park.

Jim Toland, grass roots judo development officer with Derry City Council said he was delighted to two clubs were being relaunched. “The coaches at both clubs will concentrate on the grass roots judo programme to further develop the children coming into the club from the local schools programme and the local area.”

Ends

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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