A JUDO coach is setting up a club in his home town of North Tawton after ten years with the successful Launceston Judo Club.
The club's formation follows requests from residents to use the abilities of Mr Lucas and his Judo-enthusiastic family in the town.
John Lucas is secretary of the Western branch of the British Judo Association and both he and his wife Anne are competition officials and referees. Their daughter, Rosemary, a member of Launceston Judo Club, is the only resident international with a Cornish club.
Mr Lucas said he took up the sport just 11 years ago at the same time as his children and just happened to join Launceston because the club nights fell on the right day for him.
'Having learnt judo and finding out that lots of people are interested in having a go in North Tawton I thought I would get something going over here,' he said.
The inception of the Taw Vale Judo Club owes much to the support of North Tawton Rugby Club, in providing its clubhouse as the venue, and Western Area British Judo Association for the initial loan of judo mats.
The coach said judo had much in common with self-defence and the martial arts but was an international sport in its own right.
'It is an excellent foundation for building confidence and agility for both sexes and at all ages,' he said. 'The name judo means "the gentle way" and as such no kicking or striking is involved — you use your opponent's own strength against him or herself.
Mr Lucas added that coaching would be provided from raw beginner level and the first practice night on July 26 would cater for primary aged children of seven and over from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and older children and adults from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
Costs have been set at £1 per session for schoolchildren and students and £2 for others.
Committee members and helpers are also being sought and anyone interested should go along on the practice night.