Great Britain judo team hit the road for European Champs
19th April 2010As the volcanic ash cloud continues to disrupt the European sports scene the Great Britain judo team are set for a 16-hour road trip to Austria for the Senior European Championships which run from Thursday April 22nd – Sunday April 25th.
The squad were due to fly out from London on Wednesday for the high-profile event which brings together the continent’s finest fighters.
Three British players will be in action on the opening day on Thursday and they elected to travel out on Monday afternoon. Kelly Edwards, Colin Oates and James Millar are travelling with British Judo’s Performance Operations Manager Karen Roberts and Coach Billy Cusack.
Roberts said: “Kelly, Colin and James decided they wanted a day there before competing which is understandable.”
“The rest of the squad will leave on a coach on Tuesday morning and will arrive in Vienna by Wednesday lunchtime.”
Great Britain’s plans have been complicated further by four rival countries currently being based at the British Judo Performance Institute in Dartford for an EJU Olympic Training Camp. The Russian team and their Bulgarian, Lithuanian and Slovenian counterparts have all been preparing for the event at the British facility.
“The Russian team have decided to go their own way and get a train to Brussels and then mini buses to Austria while Slovenia, Bulgaria and Lithuania will travel with the British squad on Tuesday.“
The arduous 900-mile journey will see the squad travel through France, Belgium and Germany en route to Austria.
“We looked into other means of transport, we looked at going on the train but it was just as long and required several changes,” said Roberts.
“We have kept the players apprised of our plans at all times and they appreciate the situation.”
Roberts believes the players will be tired from the journey but will be focused when they step on the mat.
“We’re trying to build a team at the moment, a 16 hour road trip may not be ideal but it could be good for morale.
“This sort of thing happened more often in the past when I was player, now we have a luxury coach and we can make sure the players are relaxed as possible.
“They want to be there and having gone through such a journey they’ll be determined to perform well. The European Championships are a major event and even given the circumstances we’re well placed to have a strong showing.”