Judo’s Doug Seabrook has won the Coach of the Year award at University of Hertfordshire.

Doug who is also the coach at nearby Marshalswick Judo Club, founded the club in 2011 in conjunction with Herts Sports Partnership. Since its creation the club has gone from strength to strength. “It started off with 22 people coming to the very first session” Doug recalls. “Now we do a big introduction with all the new freshers each year and show them what judo is all about. We’ve done a good job in integrating them into the club with the older students, so there is a lot of continuity with new players coming through. It’s a really thriving club”.

Doug who has been involved in the sport for 36 years, also paid tribute to his judoka and the support of assistant coach David Down: “There is a great atmosphere at the club. They are all really enthusiastic and are a pleasure to coach. People like Grace Tucker have come on a huge amount having only taken up the sport this year”.

British Judo’s Eastern Area Service Manager Laurence Kenyon congratulated Doug on receiving his award: “I am delighted that Doug has been recognised for the work he has done and how he has developed the club and its members. He was up against some of the bigger sports at the university so he will be really pleased to have won the award.

“He has fostered some really good links between the university and Marshalswick clubs, where the students do additional sessions at Marshalswick on a regular basis”.

This was the sixth edition of the annual event run by the university’s Athletic Union. There were over 300 guests in attendance including university Vice-chancellor, Quintin McKellar as well as Director of Sport, Nick Brecon, Head of Sports Development, Bryn Clarke and who handed out the awards.

There were more accolades for the university’s judo club on the night, with Matthew Hammond and Stephen Wond winning their Club Purple to recognise their sporting contribution throughout the year.

Are you a student at the University of Hertfordshire and want to try Judo? University of Hertfordshire Judo Club run sessions on Monday evenings (5:00PM – 6:00PM) at the Badminton Hall, Hertfordshire Sports Village. For more information on the please visit their website at www.uhsport.co.uk/sports-clubs/judo-club. You can also follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UHAUJudo.