One of Essex’s top junior football clubs, Leigh Ramblers FC, has turned to the Olympic sport of judo to keep fit after their schedule was hit by the winter freeze.

The u13 B team’s matches were called off and they were unable to train throughout December so in order to maintain fitness the club come up with the idea of adding some judo sessions to their schedule.

Assistant coach Robin Williams, once a member of Akitas Southend Judo Club, said: “As a means of fitness and developing team spirit we had to find some activity which the lads might enjoy and that would also burn off all of that accrued energy.

“The team manager agreed that all our players would benefit from getting used to physical contact, learning to fall safely as well as general fitness work.

“All of these elements would stand any dedicated young footballer in good stead, particularly those playing in a competitive league. So I decided to contact Adam Hutchins of Akitas Rayleigh and we went from there.”

The benefits of their judo training quickly become apparent in the club’s first match since practicing the sport as one player recovered from a heavy tackle by turning his fall into a forward rolling break fall, known as ‘mae mawari ukemi’.

“That allowed him to end up on his feet and continue running which is a very impressive piece of agility and was a near perfect execution of the technique,” said Williams.

“The vast majority of the lads clearly enjoyed themselves and so much so that several have asked me to arrange more sessions. So to all progressive thinking football coaches, parents, and indeed players, I would recommend that you keep an open mind about judo because there are relevant links to the movements used in both sports. Judo is a fun sport that is certainly worthwhile considering, especially when your local pitch is out of action for weeks on end."

Akitas Head Coach Adam Hutchins said: “We were delighted to stage these sessions for Leigh Ramblers and enjoyed giving them an introduction to judo.

“Judo is well-known for its physical benefits; the sport caters for all and can develop core stability, stamina, strength, balance, and footwork.”

Andrew Wilesmith, British Judo’s Eastern Regional Development Officer, commentated: “Akitas is a fantastic environment to practice judo and I’m pleased to see a fellow Essex sports club enjoying and benefiting from practicing judo.”

The Akitas Rayleigh Judo Club train at the Rayleigh Leisure Centre, Priory Chase, SS6 9NF. Juniors (Age 8–16) train on Tuesday at 19:10 – 20:25 while seniors train on the same day at 20:30 – 22:00. For more information please visit www.akitasjudo.com