We are delighted to announce that Metro Judo Club has been awarded the Queens Award for Volunteer Service on behalf of the sport of judo and volunteer sports clubs.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen’s coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups.

The Metro Judo Club is 42 years old and has worked, for many years, with the support of The Royal Borough Greenwich Council who, in 2012, provided the Club, with a purpose-built dojo at their present home, The Thomas Tallis School.

Club Secretary Mick Murphy was understandably delighted with the news that they received.

“A big ‘Thank you’ goes to Jas Hothi, form the London Youth, Sports Development team, who put the club forward and completed the Nomination process, which got us over the first hurdle, and onto the interview stage of the of the process.”

“A big ‘Thank you’ also goes out to all the Volunteer coaches and helpers, who have given their time over the last 42 year, to help make Metro judo club, an outstanding community club.”

We should also take this opportunity to mention the following organisations which have supported us for many years: London Youth, and their fantastic support for community sports clubs; Charlton Athletic Community Trust, (CACT), who deliver the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s, universal youth provision, Young Greenwich. We would mention that being part of Young Greenwich enabled us to carry out further work, giving young people more opportunities to engage in judo and youth work; and The Jack Petchey Foundation, for their outstanding Achievement Award Scheme, which enables the young people at the club to also experience so many rewarding opportunities outside of the judo programme.”