DARTFORD Judokwai’s Alan Roberts has been appointed chief coach for England’s judo team at the Commonwealth Games.

Roberts faces a race against time to be ready with the judo event taking place in New Zealand next month, 17 months before the main 2006 Games in Australia.

Roberts has been a judo coach for 40 years and been involved at national level for more than 25 years but this is the first time he has taken on the role of chief coach.

“This job was advertised and I was pleased to get it,” said Roberts. “At the 2002 Games in Manchester I was part of the coaching set-up but it is a great honour to be chief coach.”

Roberts is adamant that the role will not hinder his work with Dartford.

“This is a role that I can do that won’t take me away from my club,” said Roberts.

“If it is a success then I can consider staying on in the future.”

The England team flies out to Auckland on November 7, with the Commonwealth Judo Championships taking place the following weekend.