A BARRHEAD judo club is hoping to break down barriers by encouraging more girls to try their hand at the sport.

In just four years, Sporting Judo has nearly trebled its membership and seen the number of girls increase tenfold.

But head coach Tommy Gillan is keen to encourage more to come along and see the community club in action for themselves.

Tommy has been involved in judo for nearly 40 years and believes the Commonwealth Games helped to give the sport a new lease of life.

On the back of this, the club has been visiting Barrhead High School to give more than 200 girls a taste of the sport.

Tommy told the Barrhead News: “We have got a reasonable presence in the town and a healthy girl contingent but we want to increase our numbers and for more girls to take an interest.

“The real focus of our club is on the community. Whether you are young or old, judo can teach you safe movement and many transferable skills that you can use in all walks of life.”

Everyone is welcome to go along to the club, which trains at Barrhead Sports Centre on Thursdays, from 7pm until 9.30pm, and Saturdays, between 1pm and 5pm.

If you would like more information, search for Sporting Judo Barrhead on Facebook.