Hillsborough Judo Club moves into the English Institute of Sport

Former World Champion and double Olympic silver medallist Neil Adams MBE will officially open Hillsborough Judo Club’s new home at the Sheffield English Institute of Sport on Monday 1st March. Adams, now a national coach and technical adviser for British Judo, will also run a masterclass for both junior and senior club members on the evening.

Hillsborough Judo Club will use the venue for a new Monday night training session, which commenced on Monday 16 February. The club will continue running their regular sessions at Hillsborough Leisure Centre on Wednesday and Friday evenings. Members from other clubs in the region, including the Huddersfield Judo Club and Sheffield University Judo Club, will also attend the new Monday night training session in order to take advantage of the new venue.

British Judo has been at the Institute since December 2003, using the two mat dojo (judo hall) for major British squad training as well as junior and cadet training weekends. In the pre – Athens build up it will be a key training venue for the British judo squad attending the Games.

Eric Theaker, Chairman of Hillsborough Judo Club said: “The move to the Institute of Sport has allowed our members access to world class facilities, a benefit usually reserved for top level athletes. Our new surroundings have given us the opportunity to provide training to our members in the best possible environment.

“We currently have forty members, but now we are here it is our aim to double that by attracting new participants into our sport. I hope that people will be encouraged to come along and give judo a try.”

Dave Gillett, British Judo Regional Development Officer said: “British Judo encouraged Hillsborough Judo Club to utilise the Institute of Sport as we wanted to give them access to a top facility and help them develop judo in this area.

“Hopefully it will also give the members an understanding of what it takes to be a top level athlete and inspire the younger members to want to be our next World and Olympic Champions.”