England Judo Announce Coaching Team for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

England Judo have today announced the three strong coaching team that will lead Team England judoka at this summer’s Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Camberley Judo Club Head Coach, Luke Preston has been named as Lead Coach and will be joined by England Talent Programme Coach, Sophie Cox and University of Bath Judo Club coach Head Coach, Adam Hall.

Preston has been in charge of the full time training programme at Camberley Judo Club for the last 16 years and has previously worked as a support coach for the Great Britain junior, under 23 and senior teams with experience as one of the GB coaching team at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Team England coach for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Cox has worked within the England Talent Team for British Judo since 2018, coaching a plethora of fighters from pre-cadet through to senior. Cox has also represented Great Britain and England as a fighter at every level, including 2x Olympic Games (2004 & 2012) and the 2002 Commonwealth Games where she won bronze in front of a home crowd.

Hall has been the Head Coach at the University of Bath Judo Club since 2020 previously working as the Assistant Coach since 2018. Working closely with young fighters in a full-time set up, Hall has been involved with  the preparation programmes for many fighters for major internationals including Grand Prix, Grand Slam and Olympic Games.

Speaking following the coaching announcement, England Judo Team Leader for Birmingham 2022, Tim Ellis said: “I am really excited that we have three quality coaches with a diverse set of skills and backgrounds to help us prepare and deliver success in Birmingham this summer. We have already started the preparations and the team are quickly building a bond which is the foundation to the summer plans. The experience we have in the team behind the team will bring confidence, particularly in delivering success in front of a home crowd in Manchester and London, as well as a British Crowd in Glasgow will be a real performance benefit to us and help us really make the most of that home advantage.

“The three coaches join a particularly strong staffing team with Dr Jo Banks as the Performance Doctor and Jacob Eyres as Physio. Both of whom have been working closely with GB Judo and have plenty of big competition experience.”

Team England Judo Lead Coach Luke Preston said: “I feel very proud and privileged to be chosen as lead coach for Team England at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and look forward to working with a great coaching team and staff. Having previously coached at both London 2012 Olympics and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games I know how amazing a home event will be for all the judoka and judo fans. A Commonwealth Games is an event that everyone involved with will remember for the rest of their lives and we aim to create special memories for the team and all their supporters.”

Sophie Cox added: “It’s a privilege to be part of the coaching team for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. It means a lot to be able to work with a talented team of fighters and coaches in preparation for such a major event right here on our doorstep. Having competed in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the Olympic Games in London I understand what it means to compete in front of a home crowd and for anybody involved in these Games, those watching, as well as those taking part, it really is a special experience. It will be great for judo in this country.”

Adam Hall said: “These sorts of opportunities, to be involved with a home Commonwealth Games, don’t come around often so I feel most fortunate to have this chance and look forward to working with the coaches and athletes on delivering a successful home Games.”

The Opening Ceremony for the Commonwealth Games is Thursday 28th July with the judo programme starting on Monday 1st August and finishing on Wednesday 3rd August.