Mossman sports club receives a $1.7 million boost
New building and a big future for Judo
The objective of competitive judo is to throw an opponent, immobilize them with a pin, or force them to submit with a joint lock or choke. Well in political speak it’s a similar thing and during election campaigns it’s all done with money, tons of it.
Today in Mossman there was a truckload of money for a sport that doesn’t have a huge profile in Australia, Judo. Having said that try and put Judo in a small sport box and you might have to take on 78 members of Mossman’s Coral Coast Judo Club. Today Judo in the Douglas Shire has been officially recognised as a sport going places.
Well, that’s not quite true, they’re going nowhere, but their current home is. Upwardly mobile pollie, Warren Entsch, has snatched $1.7m of ‘dosh’ from Josh, to redevelop the Mossman Judo Club at Coronation Park.
For non-locals, that’s the Mossman Showgrounds, and it’s all part of the Douglas Shire Council’s Sports Masterplan.
The current building dates back to the 50’s and while it’s better than nothing, a new purpose-built club is going to take it into the 21st century.
This funding will allow the club to build a new pavilion (DOJO), install air conditioning, build a new office, first aid area, veranda, changerooms, canteen and internal tiered seating that includes storage for judo and show society display cages.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the Mossman Judo Club redevelopment formed part of his comprehensive plan for the local community.
“Mossman has the second largest Judo club in the state and is one of the most nationally recognised in terms of performance, and this new facility would certainly enhance that high level development and growth” he said.
Japanese keen
There’s already an inquiry from a Japanese Judo club who have shown interest in using a facility in Mossman as a ‘sister city’ training ground ahead of the 2032 Olympics. “The new facility would also be able to host national and state events, Judo sports tourism in the Douglas Shire as well as provide a venue for the region’s annual show.” said Mr Entsch.
Douglas Shire Council Mayor Michael Kerr was on hand to thank Warren Entsch for securing the funding for the redevelopment. “Not only will the new building enhance the showgrounds, but it will also be a great sports asset for the Coral Coast Judo Club and Mossman,” Cr Kerr said.
The President of the Coral Coast Judo Club Jeffrey Anderson only found out about this bonanza this morning but is over the moon about the injection of money and the difference it will make. “Judo is strong here, we’ve got 8 members of the State team at this club, so it’s not bad for a tiny town like Mossman” he told Newsport. “It’s a fantastic sport for the kids, for growing bodies and it can only get bigger up here now thanks to what’s happening today” he said.
Club Secretary Robert McIntosh said that when the new facility is built, it will attract teams from all over the world because this sport is huge in Europe and Asia. “There’s also a bonus for the Shire in that when competitors from interstate and overseas come here, they’ll venture further out to see our attractions, that can only be good for tourism”
Council will be looking at designs and then in the not-so-distant future building work will begin, hopefully within a year.