A TAVISTOCK sports club and the Tavistock Times are joining forces to promote and run free judo sessions for four to seven-year-olds for a whole year.

The initiative has been spearheaded by Drake Judo Club in a bid to help youngsters be more active, assist people on low incomes who cannot afford to pay for their children to attend clubs and help build a sense of community.

The club, which boasts 160 members from the ages of four to 69, is keen for more children and parents to see the benefits of judo for physical and mental health and for boosting confidence.

Drake Judo Club chairman Ross Taylor came up with the idea after running half hour sessions at lots of local schools.

‘I was getting great engagement from the kids and I wondered how we could build on that,’ said Ross. ‘It became very evident that not everyone could afford the £4 a week to send their kids to sessions and as a community club we wanted to do something to help.

‘Tavistock is the home of Drake Judo Club and we see these sessions as a way of bringing people together and supporting each other.

‘Everyone in the club is voluntary so we can carry out this initiative by meeting the cost of the venue ourselves for the year.

‘We are really excited to be able to do this.’

The Times will be promoting the sessions and running a series of articles in the coming weeks and months about the club and wider issues around getting children active and improving physical and mental health.

In two weeks’ time, on January 16, a voucher will be printed in the Times which parents can cut out, fill in and take to the club for their child to be eligible.

The sessions will run on Fridays between 5pm and 6pm in Tavistock College dance studio, where Drake Judo Club is based. They will be open to all children from across the area and Ross is encouraging parents to car share so the costs remain minimal.

‘The club itself will be free for a whole year to four to seven-year-olds until December but children can join at any time during the year,’ said Ross.

‘There will be vouchers in the Times on a regular basis so if anyone misses the boat on January 16, they can wait for the next one.

‘We have no idea how many children will turn up but if there are just a few it will be worth it,’ said Ross. ‘If 100 or more turn up that is no problem either, we will honour our pledge but we may have to create a waiting list or a second session.’

Ross said that the club would be hoping to secure some sponsorship for extra kit from local businesses and would be interested in speaking to anyone who might wish to get involved with the club.

The sessions will be taught by Charles Knape, who is a 2nd Dan black belt and former British champion who has been practising judo for 40 years since he was a child.

Charles and Ross founded Drake Judo Club in 2016 and run clubs in both Plymouth and Tavistock.

Charles will be assisted by his 14-year-old daughter Lucy teaching the Sho grade class specifically aimed at children under eight years old.

The children will learn about technique, fundamental movement and flexibility and there will be gymnastic elements too.

On Thursday the Times will be featuring the story of one Drake Judo Club member for whom the club has had a big impact on her life.

Ross said there was nothing like being a member of a club to boost your confidence.

‘It creates a sense of belonging and judo is a great discipline that teaches etiquette and respect as well as self defence.

‘Many children spend a great deal of time now gaming in their bedrooms. We want to encourage them to be active and socialise alongside their other hobbies.’

General manager of the Times Lianne Hunt said she was pleased to be involved with such a worthwhile initiative for the town and hoped families would take advantage of it.

‘As the local newspaper we have always included reports and pictures of Drake Judo Club activities. We are delighted to support the club in what it is trying to do now to help the community and the children. We hope to see many more young judo champions of the future in the Times sport pages during the years to come.’