Peter Swettenham, head coach at Witley Judo Club in Witley, Surrey, has been awarded a local hero award after being nominated in the Sports Award category of the Surrey & Hampshire Local Hero Awards ran by radio station, Eagle Radio.

The former British Masters champion and 4th Dan professional judo coach has been described as an inspiration, generous and ‘the most bouncy and positive person I have ever met’. Peter’s mantra is ‘sport for life’, and the club welcomes anyone from national level to those wishing to try out a new sport including children with any disability, giving them levels of confidence they may never have experienced.

Leigh Mansfield, also a coach at Witley JC, said, “Pete started the club from a school club he ran. He started doing a bit of extra in the evening and now we’ve got over 200 members! We at Witley are so pleased that Pete has been recognised for the personal sacrifices he has made on behalf of the club and for all he time and effort he puts into the individuals, from our current National champions to our novices stepping onto the mat for the first time.

“It has been a real boost for Pete, his family and all at the club as whilst humbled at receiving the award it encourages us all to carry on going forward expanding the club and keep introducing as many of our local children and adults to our sport and the Judo ethos.”

Watch the short film on the club below where you can see the impact Peter’s coaching has had on his club members for yourself. Well done Peter.