A new purpose-built judo facility at Medway Park has recently opened its doors to judo enthusiasts in North Kent and provides a new home for Clubmark club - Medway Park Judo Club.

This is the first phase of an £11m Medway Park development that will provide a sporting centre of excellence, whilst at the same time meet the needs of the community.

The club has recently been awarded the BJA's Clubmark Gold Award - sharing this high accolade with just four other judo clubs in the country.

Rainham Judo Club, renamed Medway Park Judo Club after taking residency at the new facility, brings a long history of sporting accolades and coaching expertise to its new home.

The club that was established in 1964, by current chair and head coach Terry Malkinson has always been one of the BJA's flagship clubs. Karen French, BJA development officer for the south east said, "It's a club that has always done that bit extra. That's what's so special about it. Winning the Gold accreditation was much deserved."

Wendy Malkinson, Club Manager feels that the club's 12 volunteer coaches and helpers worked hard towards achieving this status. "Clubmark is a series of quality standards within the club's organisation that proves to parents that their children are in safe hands," she explains. "We have staff that are CRB checked, qualified in first aid, offered quality coaching and had the ability to work with vulnerable adults. To reach Gold standard we also had to have female coaches and a child welfare officer," Malkinson explained.

Looking forward, Medway Judo Club is looking to further improve its links with local primary and secondary schools by offering school-based, curriculum-related lessons, taster days, breakfast clubs, lunch clubs and after school activities.

Terry Malkinson said,

"We are now building relationships with the schools local to our new premises at Medway Park to encourage children to visit the club. We've identified funding to offer free taster lessons for adults who wish to come back to sport and children who already come to the Black Lion Leisure Centre to swim, so we can extend their sport activity to the recommended target of five hours a week."

For more information contact Wendy Malkinson (wendymalkinson@aol.com) or visit the club's website (http://www.medwayparkjudoclub.co.uk)