MELBOURN Judo Club continues to go from strength-to-strength with 12-year-old Emma Reid being selected for a national development programme. Emma will join the World Class Start (WCS) programme – a national initiative that prepares potential internationa

MELBOURN Judo Club continues to go from strength-to-strength with 12-year-old Emma Reid being selected for a national development programme.

Emma will join the World Class Start (WCS) programme - a national initiative that prepares potential international competitors for the future.

The talented youngster has been involved with the sport since she was five, and in that time has amassed more than 60 trophies and medals, including a silver at the British Judo Association's National Championship.

Chief instructor and founder of Melbourn Judo Club Derek Coult said: "She's very talented and we have a lot of hopes for her. This is a major accolade both for Emma and the club.

"It promises to be a big year for her and I'm sure she will do very well. We've known of her talents for a while, but recently she's started to be noticed by others, and as a result she has been selected for the programme.

"Emma is definitely seen as an Olympic hopeful, and I believe she could have a promising career.

"The club really is starting to hit the big time, and we have a number of talented youngsters involved who all have a bright future."

Kris Francombe, nine, is also hoping to join Emma on the WCS programme, and after picking up medals in a number of major events, he has his sights on selection next year.

Sixteen-year-old Megan Sorensen has also been in impressive form, having competed at national level, while David Unger, 14, claimed a deserved silver medal at the tough Peterborough Open Championships last week.

This season Melbourn Judo Club has already won 10 gold, 11 silver, and 28 bronze medals, with the club also the only one in the area with a Sport England clubmark.

Coult said: "It is becoming apparent that a number of highly promising youngsters are starting to emerge.