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East Ham’s A1 Newham
College Judo Club, already a leading attraction for children in
the community, has now established a women’s only session as part
of PlaySport London’s Free Sport grants programme.
PlaySport London provides
funding of up to £1,500 for sports clubs and community groups
to deliver free sporting activities to Londoners of all ages and
abilities. The aim of the programme is to promote greater participation
in sport, which can be encouraging people to take up new sports,
or perhaps returning to a sport they haven’t done since school.
The flourishing club,
who formed in 2009 , launched the new session on Wednesday 9 February
which attracted six women.
Tahmina Karimova, 20,
a UKCC level 2 coach, is leading the sessions and has endeared
herself to judoka right across the capital with her patient and
accommodating approach.
“The session has already
become pretty popular with 15 women attending the second class
and they ranged in age from 16 to 45,” said Karimova, who is also
working to achieve her black belt.
“I love coaching women,
it’s a different experience because I'm used to coaching primary
and secondary school children. Women are a little harder to coach
since I am younger than them and gaining respect as a coach is
difficult at first but it is a challenge worth doing because we
have such a good time in training.
“It’s a lot of fun to
have a space where everyone is comfortable and we’d love to see
more women come and try the Olympic sport of judo at A1.”
Tim Edwards, British
Judo’s London Club Development Officer, said: “Tahmina and A1
Newham College Judo Club continue to thrive and develop in East
London with the women's only sessions engaging a different sector
of the community to participate in judo"
The club will also mark
International Women’s Day by taking part in a celebratory event
staged by the London Borough of Newham at the Newham Leisure Centre
on Thursday 10 March at 12:00 – 19:00.
Judo taster sessions
will be available along with a host of other sports and physical
activities. The free council event will also feature art workshops,
music and dance session as well as free employment support.
A1’s women only sessions
run every Wednesday at 18:00 – 19.30 Newham College, East Ham
Campus, High Street South, east Ham, London E6 6ER.
Participants can be
aged 16 plus and need to where light fitting clothing.
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