A North East sports college has launched a specialist judo academy, the first of its kind in the region, for talented young judo players who want to focus on developing their sport while studying.

Gateshead College’s Academy of Sport has recruited former Olympian and five times European medallist Chloe Cowan to coach at its new Judo Academy which will open to students next month (September 2012).

The new Academy, which is one of only a few in the country to be officially endorsed by the British Judo Association, will operate from the college’s Academy for Sport next to Gateshead International Stadium. 

Speaking at the launch of the Judo Academy, Chloe Cowan said: “This is a fantastic move by Gateshead College to introduce the North’s first college judo academy. 

“It will give young people who are already involved in judo the opportunity to further develop their skills and ability while studying. There are very few colleges in the country offering such a high level of judo coaching and individualised training programmes. This is great news for the sport as it will help bring fresh new talent to the judo arena.” 

Chloe will coach alongside Kevin Pattison who is a former British International. They will work closely with students’ personal coaches to develop bespoke training programmes around competitions and which fits with coaching and training outside of the Academy.

Lewis Pendleton, sport academy manager at Gateshead College, said: “We’re delighted to be the first college in the north to open a judo academy to help support more young people to excel in the sport.

“Our emphasis is on developing talented young people to help them to be the best that they can and shine in judo. They will have access to some of the best facilities in the country and Chloe and Kevin are two of the country’s top coaches so this is an excellent opportunity for anyone who is already competing or wants to become more involved in judo.”

Members of the Judo Academy, which is open to anyone studying full time at the college, will receive a tailored training programme which will incorporate regular randori, nagekomi and uchi komi sessions plus strength and conditioning and video analysis.

Students will also have access to a judo dojo with sprung floor, free sports science and physiotherapy access, contrast bathing, sports therapy and recovery sessions and metabolic typing and weight management plans provided by nurtritional experts.

The Academy for Sport already hosts the England ExCell Judo programme, which aims to support the development of elite judo players across the North East. Chloe and Lewis coordinate and coach students on the programme.

The Judo Academy is among 12 specialist sports academies at Gateshead College, others include football, netball, cricket, swimming, golf and boxing.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the Judo Academy should visit www.academyforsport.co.uk.