Worcester Judo club marked its 30th anniversary with a master class session hosted by Neil Adams on Saturday 22 June – an event which attracted visitors from as far afield as Germany!

The club which has been twinned with a club in Kleve, Germany for 25 years, invited players over to attend the master class. It was an opportunity of a lifetime to not just meet Mr Adams who is the British Judo Association’s Director of Elite Coaching, but also to get on the mat with the Double Olympic Silver Medalist and five times European and British Open Champion.

Worcester Judo Club regularly hosts exchange visits where players can take part in team fighting events and their players have also gone over to Germany several times too.

The players from Kleve, led by head coach Manuel Minkwitz, also paid a mark of respect for the Chairman Duncan Jones’ father Phil Jones, who was the Head Coach and Chairman before he died two years ago and established the link.

Players who could not attend sent messages to mark the milestone anniversary. Mr Jones said: “It was an honour to welcome Neil Adams as part of our 30th anniversary celebrations and of course our friends from Germany too. It was a great success for everyone who participated; also for the volunteers who helped behind the scenes and for those that just watched a sporting legend on the mat. It was an unforgettable momentous day and a chapter of history for the club. Members of the club had the chance of a lifetime to learn and be taught by the best.”

The event attracted more than 200 people, including representatives from local clubs in Hereford, Cheltenham, Droitwich, Bishops Challoner in Birmingham and Samurai in Kidderminster.

Mr Adams was presented with a commemorative plaque by the club. He was also given a Worcester Judo anniversary limited edition polo shirt from Brothers Harrison and Loic Keasey. Harrison is one of a number of visually impaired players at Worcester Judo Club.

Pop down to the club in Foregate Street, Worcester (above Gala Bingo) or visit www.worcesterjudoclub83.co.uk to get involved.

Words by Donna Richardson
Photo provided by Worcester Judo Club