Judo club lands bumper sponsorship

Nov 17 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

A WEST Lothian martial arts group are celebrating after received a significant funding boost.

Linlithgow Judo Club have been handed a £6000 grant from Awards for All to pay for new equipment.

Among the gear the organisers plan to buy, are various top-quality mats which will allow the group to host gradings at the club, raising their profile within the sport of judo.

Gareth Butterfield of Linlithgow Judo Club said: “We want to continue growing and the purchase of new mats and equipment is only the first phase in our development.

“We are going from strength to strength not only behind the scenes in the running of the club, but also in producing and developing some great judo players.”

He added: “I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to helping fund and develop our existence within the town, from the families and friends of members, to businesses in the community.

“And of course, I would like to thank Awards for All for granting us such a generous sum of money.”

The club are hoping to have the new equipment purchased and in place before 2012.

There are also plans afoot to host a grand opening.

Earlier this year, the club benefited from significant local sponsorship deals with a number of businesses.

During a highly successful year, Barclay Gunn was awarded a 1st Dan Black Belt as well as completed his level-1 coaching qualification to support Head Coach Paul Hornsey who is a 2nd Dan Black Belt.

Gareth Butterfield has also had a memorable year, winning a gold medal at the Open Kyu grade competition held in Kendal, England.

He also completed his BJA Instructor Award to become a training supervisor.

The club’s latest success was the Access Level Award from the West Lothian Sports Council Accreditation Scheme, which they received last week.