A £1m judo training facility has opened in Merseyside following a grant of £818,000 from Sport England’s Community Club Development Fund.

SKK Judo Club opened in Earlstown, Newton-Le-Willows, on 23 September and boasts two contest areas on a sprung floor, an Olympics weights gym, a physio room and kitchen as well as a male, female and disabled changing facilities.

It also has a video analysis system and WiFi network.

As well as the Sport England grant, the new centre received funding from Sport Relief, St Helen’s Council and Helena Housing. SKK Judo Club owned the land on which the new facility has been built.

Densign White, chair of the British Judo Association, said: “The new venue offers some of the best training facilities in the country and will be valuable for our grassroots participants right through to elite athletes.

“There is no doubt that these facilities will be important to British athletes training towards the 2008 Olympics, as well as those aspiring to represent their country in 2012 and beyond.“

Stewart Kellett, regional director for Sport England North West: “We are committed to supporting sports clubs across the north west, so they can encourage people into sport at all levels, and produce champions.

“Over the last few years we have invested more than £10.5m in 146 projects across the region, through the Community Club Development Fund.

“This investment of over £818,000 helps ensure that SKK Judo’s facilities are some of the best in the country, benefiting thousands of people.” Details: www.skkjudo.com