Judo cash crisis threatens to floor medal hopes

Published on Monday 3 December 2007 12:18

JUDO coaches today warned Scotland would miss out on Commonwealth gold medals if a funding crisis forces a city club to close.

The Edinburgh Judo Club has no showers, no hot water and only the most basic facilities at St Paul's Church Hall in Lorne Street, Leith.

Around 250 youngsters currently train in the hall and the club sent five athletes to represent the UK at the World Judo Championships in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year.

But head coach Billy Cusack - a 1992 Olympian - said the club may be forced to close for good unless it can secure more government money.

He said clubs in England that had sent only one or two members to the World Championships received far more funding.

"We are at breaking-point. While no-one at the club wants to leave, we may not have much choice soon," he said.

"Because of the cost of renting the hall, we do not have the funds to invest in new facilities.

"And with the number of people we are now teaching we simply cannot continue with the facilities we have.

"We have a very high standard of athlete who comes here, which is shown by our tremendous record in world and international competitions.

"I have no doubt at all that if we are able to continue we will produce gold medallists at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, but for that to happen we need support now. We all work on a voluntary basis, and I am losing money, but while we have had offers to go and teach in England, we do not want to leave Leith.

"I have been involved with this club for more than 25 years, and I want to continue, but I am concerned that we are not getting the support we need."

World and European Championship medallist Euan Burton, 28, who trains at the club, said: "It's always a struggle.

" If we had a building that didn't have leaks in it, that we could afford to keep heated properly and have facilities for showering in after training, that would all help.

"But the people are the most important - you could put them in any facility and they would still be as good."

Mr Cusack is now looking for a commitment from both local and national bodies to help create a new purpose-built centre in Leith. The club is in talks with both the city council and sportscotland to see what can be done to help secure its future.

Both the council and sportscotland said they were aware of the problems being faced by the club and were working with them to try to find a solution.

A spokesman for Edinburgh City Council said: "We are aware of the difficulties faced by Edinburgh Judo Club and although the council is not in a position to provide financial support, our officials are working with the club as they consider options for the future."

A spokesman for sportscotland said: "Sportscotland is aware of the current situation regarding Edinburgh Judo Club's facility and we are in discussions with the club to assist them with their future facility development."

www.sportscotland.org.uk

www.edinburghjudo.com