Gooch Judo Kwai coaches win BBC Award

A father and daughter from Gooch Judo Kwai have been announced as the joint-winners of the coveted BBC Sports Unsung Hero for East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

Len Gooch and daughter Tina Parker from Scunthorpe have worked tirelessly to develop the sport in the region and the club boasts an ever-growing membership.

Gooch told BBC Look North: “It’s nice to see the kids with smiles on their faces. Judo teaches them a lot, like how to control their temper.”

Parker turned to coaching after injury prevented her competing at the top level.

She added: “I’m shocked and I didn’t expect this. We’ve seen lots of children come through. We’ve had a GB national champion and that’s the biggest thing that we did.” 

They will now go forward for the national award which will be presented at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2012 in London on 16 December.

British Judo would like to congratulate Len and Tina on their fantastic achievement and wish them the very best of luck at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards in December.