A thriving judo club in Ilford is set to host their first ever competition on Saturday 31 March 2012.

Heart of Oak Judo Club, who achieved Clubmark bronze status last year, have seen their membership numbers swell as they’ve established links with schools and encouraged parents and volunteers to actively participate in the club’s development.

Club Secretary Margaret James said: “As a club we have been trying to create links with the schools which most of our members attend, so we will first have each of the members competing individually and then as school teams. 

“At the moment we have a strong catholic contingent – St. Aidan’s, Ss. Peter & Paul & St. Winefride’s Catholic Primary’s. All these schools feed into Palmer Catholic Academy.”

Parents and volunteers will be enrolling on a British Judo TOCS (Technical Officials for Clubs and Schools) course while the club already boasts six fully qualified first aiders.

The flourishing club celebrates their 10th anniversary next year and has a number of projects in the works such as Sportivate – Have a Throw.

The course entitles young people aged 13 and upwards to pay a one off £25 fee to commit to train from one to six hours a week and upon completion will receive one year’s free club membership.

Heart of Oak Judo Club train at Cardinal Heenan Centre, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1QP. Boys and girls train on a Tuesday and Thursday at 18:00 – 20:00.