British Judo Board Director Eddie Awford has been elected English Clubs’ Board Representative at the recent British Judo Association elections, edging fellow Director Peter Blewett, the former Chair of the English Areas Commission.

Other English Representative candidates included Harry Holt, North West Area Treasurer and John Dearden, a member of the BJA’s Inclusion Commission and various other committees and Eastern Area Director of Examinations.

In accepting the post Eddie will take up a position BJA’s next Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 16 November.

Eddie will replace Peter who last year was elected by the English Chairs to lead the English Areas Commission (Judo England). However Peter remains on the Board as an elected BJA Director, as per the 2012 AGM and he adds this to his roles as Enhancing Delivery Strategic Lead and Chair of the London Area.

Reacting to the news, which he received whilst on duty at the IJF World Kata Championships, he said: “What a nice surprise this is. It was a difficult campaign and it was very close. I would like to thank everyone who has supported and voted for me and I feel honoured to win this election.”

The 6th Dan has dedicated his life to Judo, having served as a club coach, senior examiner, kata examiner, area technical director among a host of other roles.

He also adds this title to a long line of duties, not least his current role as BJA Director of ten years standing. As this is his third term of office, he was due to step down this year, along with Roy Inman, but now he will remain as a Director on the BJA Board in this new post as English Clubs’ Representative.

The first thing he plans on doing when he commences the position is to visit all the English Area Chairman and assess their club’s needs. He then plans to implement his manifesto pledges of maximising the potential of young talent and providing a voice for the English clubs at local, regional and national level.

Kerrith Brown, Chairman of the BJA said: “Eddie is a good acquisition to the association in this capacity. He is a steady pair of hands and I am confident that he will steer the English Area in the right direction as we continue to implement changes within British Judo. It is also quite fitting in that it comes in the year that Eddie was due to step down.”