DEVIZES Budo Club’s chairman Mark Burbidge and head coach Jason Parsons collected their Club Coach of the Year awards at the British Judo Association’s annual awards.

They were nominated by members of Devizes Budo Club for this award and then assessed by the British Judo Association.

They had to fight off stiff competition from all over Britain to make the shortlist but took the top spot on the night.

It was an especially happy time for Parson as he had only got married the week before.

Both Burbidge and Parsons are full-time professional Judo coaches who teach children in schools as well as at Devizes Budo Club.

They have continued to build on the club’s successful judo campaigns nationally and internationally.

In the last few years they have produced a number of national gold medallists, European medallists and winners of lots of regional competitions all over Britain.

David Duxberry, the third member of the coaching staff who won the award, couldn’t attend the award ceremony.

Devizes Budo Club have training sessions for children aged 5 to 10 on a Monday night, a Senior session for children over the age of 14 and and adults of all abilities on a Wednesday.

There are also two training sessions on a Friday firstly for six to 10-year-olds followed by 10 to 16-year-olds.

On Thursday nights, it is a strictly invite only and is a two-hour long technical training session.