SPORT
their fitness, but also confidence in their ability. After the 12-week programme, many people go on to join one of TAC’s seven other adult running groups, which each cater for a different proficiency level. Once people overcome any initial barriers to running, they are often amazed by what they can achieve - six of the TAC entrants in this year’s London Marathon on 27th April started running with the Couch to 5K scheme.
Try Drake Judo Club for free! Ross Taylor and former British junior champion, Charles Knape started Drake Judo Club in Tavistock and at Plymouth Life Centre in 2016, with just a handful of young members. The club is now one of the largest in the South West with 175 members of all age groups, including five-time British champion Cordelia Gregory and two-time British champion Max Gregory, who is now a full-time funded GB athlete. The club wins more than 200 medals each year with members travelling the UK, and even abroad to take part in competitions. The popularity of the club has also led to the introduction of satellite clubs in Horrabridge, Plympton and Sparkwell.
world top-10, Ben Fletcher, and former world and Olympic medallist, Steve Gawthorpe. New members get a free hoodie, and the club covers transport costs to competitions, even paying for 18 Drake contestants to enter the Commonwealth Championships in 2019.
Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to join. All you need is a pair of trainers and comfortable clothes. The next 12-week session starts on 4th April and takes place every Saturday 10-11am at Tavistock College running track, £2 per session. For more information contact tavistockathleticclub@gmail.com or Facebook: Tavy Joggers.
Dartmoor Darts Aquatic
Children and adults are all welcome at Drake Judo Club and if you are aged 4 to 7-years-old, you can try judo lessons for free in Tavistock until the end of 2020. The club also delivers taster sessions to schools in the area.
‘Off the Couch’ & ‘Couch to 5K’
Ross learnt judo as a child and then returned to it as an adult in 2010. He had to start again as a white belt but working hard, he regained his 1st Dan black belt a year later. Keen to give something back, he began helping the juniors at a club in Plymouth. Later when he set up Drake Judo Club, he was determined to make the martial art accessible to all and also pass on the underlying ethos of judo which includes dedication, respect, loyalty, and discipline – qualities which often have great value in other aspects of members’ lives. An impressive team of amateur coaches run the classes, headed up by Mike Nugent; squad training has also included sessions with Olympian and
Couch to 5K schemes have experienced success all over the country and Tavistock Athletic Club (TAC) started its first class in July 2015. There has been a steady demand ever since, with people keen to start running and get fitter or lose weight. The scheme works by gently introducing the body to moving, alternating between walking and running small distances, and gradually building up the running element until participants can run 5 km. Realising that the target could be off-putting for some people, TAC initiated ‘Off the Couch’ as well, which caters for people who have done little or no exercise prior to joining. The two groups run at the same time, making it easy for participants to switch between them and progress at a rate suited to their ability. The groups are led by UKA qualified leaders and coaches, who help group members build not only
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Dartmoor Darts Aquatic (DDA) was founded in 2017 as a club focusing on performance swimming. Based at the Mount Kelly Swim Centre in Tavistock with both performance and junior squads, it follows a bespoke programme delivered in ultra-short format enabling highly motivated swimmers to compete successfully at regional, national and international levels. The club aims to nurture the next generation of elite swimmers through expert coaching, helping them reach their maximum potential as athletes and set up for a professional pathway. The training programme at DDA is led
