From left, Mitch Agnelli, Dougie Kelham, Trevor Kelham and Steve Dewsnip of Rothschild, Bob Childs and Michael Goodwin. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0789205)

THE Guernsey Judo Club are in their new home.

In January, the club were given 12 months to move out of their first floor dojo in the Guernsey Youth Services building at Brock Road.

The Youth Services are relocating to St Peter Port School and judo cannot be catered for there.

With the serious prospect of being thrown out on the streets, GJC chairman Mitch Agnelli made a heartfelt plea for help through the Guernsey Press and their prayers were answered when John de Carteret of the Education Department learned of their plight.

On Saturday, the club officially opened their new dojo in the smaller of the two Grammar School sports halls.

Agnelli paid special thanks to de Carteret and to the Grammar School and their head of PE, Dave Legg.

‘I’m over the moon, I can’t be happier,’ said Agnelli.

‘If the Guernsey Press hadn’t put the article in, John de Carteret wouldn’t have known. It’s a new start for us and it can only benefit judo.’

The club also showed off their new £6,500 mats, which were donated to them by Rothschild Private Banking.