KENDAL Judo Club is preparing to re-open at the end of next month with visits from sport royalty already lined up.

The English, Scottish, and Welsh National Squads have already booked training sessions at the club’s Dojo on Parkside Road.

There will also be a gentle return for most of the members with combined parents and children’s classes practising together, Ukemi (breakfall) lessons which includes balance, co-ordination, movement and learning how to fall without hurting.

In September there will be an official re-launching of the club with world champion and two times Olympic Silver medallist Neil Adams, 9th Dan and the first International Judo Federation Hall of Fame nominee doing the honours, as well as taking a class of all levels.

Mike Liptrot, the club’s chief coach, has been selected to repeat his role from the 2012 Games as one of Oceania’s Coaches for this year’s Judo tournament at the Olympic Games in Japan.

Chairman Peter Holmes said the club is 'excited' to re-open and welcome back members.

“We’re looking forward to re-opening," he said.

“As far as we’re aware we’re not allowed full contact.

“We’re probably the last sport to be allowed.

“There were sports like football that could to some degree continue but because you get face to face with judo we always were going to be the sad case.

“We’re going to have to build up again because we’ve had nearly two years of people not doing anything and like all sport you’ve got to practice.”

The timetables are still being organised, but they will be split into various age groups for children and adults from four years of age upwards.

The club also holds occasional women only weekend sessions led by British International and Olympian, Sophie Cox.

For more information contact – Mike Liptrot at mike@kendaljudoclub.co.uk or 07708 968194.

Or take a look at the club on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.