A Welwyn Garden City school has inspired children with a judo session from a black belt coach.

Springmead Primary School was visited by Matt Cox of Kimura Judo Club - also based in Welwyn Garden City - who spoke to them about the history of martial arts and judo.

He also put on a demonstration with the help of Year 4 pupil Rafa and Elizabeth, who is in Year 2, with both attending Springmead and Kimura.

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"Judo is my favourite sport and I loved that my classmates saw me on the mat today," said Rafa, while Elizabeth added: "I wish all the children would come to learn judo. It's fun and I have made many new friends at the judo club."

Matt believes judo's core values can help people in everyday life, explaining: "Judo’s core values are about making a positive contribution to society.

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"Judo is the only martial art that was created by an educator as a means of self improvement, and he created judo as a means of physical, intellectual and moral education."

The session was part of Springmead's commitment to motivating and inspiring children to join in physical fun activities to keep them healthy and happy, with Reading Women's player Lily Woodham having visited the school back in May.