JudoScotland Board Update
Due to operational changes at Board level, the JudoScotland Board of Directors has formally appointed Vice-Chair, Marc Preston, to the role of Chair until the 2022 AGM later this year. Marc has been Acting-Chair for the past 12 months.
This appointment coincides with an exciting new start for JudoScotland as the organisation welcomes new Chief Executive, Judith McCleary, who will take up the post at the end of April.
Read the full story of Judith's appointment here.
Easter Office Closure
The JudoScotland Office will be closed Friday 15th & Monday 18th of April for the Easter Bank Holiday.
The Office will close at 4pm on Thursday 14th of April reopening on Tuesday 19th April.
Commissioner Bruce Adamson Visits Second Judo Club on Roadshow
The Children & Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland, Bruce Adamson, visited Carnegie Judo Club and Fudog MMA dojo on Tuesday 22nd March 2022 to meet young people from Woodmill High School as part of his roadshow visits. Carnegie JC delivers the Yellow Belt Challenge programmes on behalf of The Fighting Chance Project (Scotland), a charity established in 2014 to bring the benefits of judo and the judo values to young people who would not usually have the chance to experience judo.
The Commissioner spent all morning with two groups of S1-2 pupils who take weekly judo classes—speaking with them for their views on many of the issues affecting young people today. Together with Jim Feenan and Andy Swinburne, Bruce presented each person with their JudoScotland licence, 1st Mon certificates and red belts.
The Commissioner’s visit was the second to a JudoScotland member club, having recently visited Edinburgh Judo Club. His recent visit to Carnegie JC gave him a chance to see how judo can be used to help young people who may have social, emotional, or behavioural issues or other additional support needs.
Coach Jim Feenan added, "We were delighted to have Bruce and his team with us to see first hand how judo can help young people improve their lives and educational outcomes but also the challenges facing clubs and small charities working within the community."
JudoScotland Appoints New Chief Executive
JudoScotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Judith McCleary to the role of Chief Executive Officer. With a wealth of experience cultivated at Scout Scotland as Head of Outdoors & Adventure and at Scottish Curling as Head of Development before that, Judith will provide leadership and strategic direction to aid the growth of Judo in Scotland into Birmingham 2022 and beyond.
Judith’s appointment has been welcomed by the JudoScotland Board and staff with Acting Chairman, Marc Preston stating; "We are delighted to welcome Judith to the role, her proven track record and her expertise in strategic planning will no doubt help with the continuous growth of the sport of Judo in Scotland. Speaking on behalf of the JudoScotland Board and Staff, we are excited to welcome Judith and her vision for the future of Judo in Scotland."
Judith added “I am really excited to be joining the JudoScotland team at the end of April in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.
“The values of judo align well with those in my previous role at Scouts Scotland and it’s important to me that the values underpin everything JudoScotland does as an organisation.”
“There has never been a more important time than now to provide opportunities for people to build their confidence and resilience levels, and judo provides the perfect platform to do this. By capitalising on existing and new partnerships, we can strive to reach new audiences and engage people in judo for life.”
“As someone who is passionate about the power of sport, I look forward to working with the Board, staff and Judo community to provide amazing experiences, enabling people to maximise their potential and contributing to a better society”
Club Affiliation 2022
Club Affiliation is now open for the 2022/23 period but why should you become an affiliated Club? Being a JudoScotland member club is about so much more than ticking a box off your to-do list, be a part of the growth of Judo in Scotland!
Insurance
Not just personal, but as an affiliated Club you will be covered by Public Liability, Products Liability, Professional Indemnity, Libel and Slander, Abuse, Management Liability, Employers Liability and Criminal Defence Costs Insurance.
Club Dashboard
As a JudoScotland club, you will have access to an online club dashboard, where you will be able to access information in real-time. You will be able to check the membership status of individuals, update club details and so much more.
Dedicated Support from JudoScotland Staff
From our regional development officers to our national events executive through to performance as a JudoScotland club you can access support for your clubs and Judoka.
Advertising
As a JudoScotland Club, you will be listed on the JudoScotland club finder which benefits from external paid for advertising campaigns helping you to recruit members.
Nationally Recognised Grading Scheme
As a member club, you will have access to a nationally recognised grading scheme, allowing you to grade JudoScotland members at your club.
We are currently developing our club membership benefits, watch this space for more information about how we are supporting our member clubs.
If you have yet to receive your club affiliation documents from British Judo please email bja@britishjudo.org.uk
Photo Credit: Cluarankwai Judo Club
JudoScotland Celebrate 26 Newly Qualified Coaches
Following a challenging couple of years for Judo, we are delighted that 35 Scottish coaches have taken the next step on their coaching journey in 2021. Coach education is vital for the growth of Judo in Scotland and we are pleased that 26 Judoka from 14 clubs took the first step on their coaching pathway by completing their Level 1 Coaching in judo Qualification with a further nine Judoka completing their Level 2 qualification.
Congratulations to the following Judoka:
Level 2 in Coaching Judo
Niall Allison – Orkney Judo Club
Kirsty Lyon – Osaka Kwai Judo Club
Jason Davis – Edinburgh Judo Club
Jack Ferry – Edinburgh Judo Club
Marcus Littlejohn – Bellahouston Judo Club
Keith Flynn – Elgin Judo Club
Christopher Murphy – Shettleston Judo Club
Bill McNeil – Dynamic
Mark Woodall – NIJF
Level 1 in Coaching Judo
Josie Steele – Tanoshi
Ross Stevenson – Dumfries
Jasmine Willingale – Dumfries
Steven Allan – Dumfries
Reanne Wylie – Orkney
Sophie McNeill – Titan
Michael Duff – Cluarankwai
Juan Diego Ipence – Cluarankwai
Lewis Conway – Pro Judo
Rebecca Lamb – Clyde
Rebecca Bradley – Clyde
James Kelly – Glasgow University
Charlie McLean – Irvine
Ross Carswell – Irvine
Cameron MacLennan – Sportif
Samuel Walker – Sportif
Daisy Gilroy – Sportif
Paige McLennan – Sportif
Lloyd Cameron – Ultimate
Christopher Lambert – Jidel Judo 93
Sibghah Hussain – Jidel Judo 93
Allan King – Carnegie
Andrew Swinburne – Carnegie
Daniel Givan – Destination
Euan Hepburn – Destination
Kerr Wilson – Destination
If you are interested in becoming a coach or progressing on your coaching journey, visit our events page to find a course suitable for you.
Commissioner Bruce is a Good Sport at Judo Club
Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland Bruce Adamson isn’t one for throwing his weight about – but that all changed on a visit to Edinburgh Judo!
Bruce and team member Nicola Harris took part in a judo session with children and young people and their instructors as part of their participation roadshow. It’s the first sports group they have visited as part of their programme to find out what issues matter to children across Scotland as we emerge from the pandemic.
The children at Edinburgh Judo told Bruce about how the sport has helped their confidence, respect for others, and sense of fair play. They talked about disruption to judo during lockdown, with one saying: “I missed the classes and seeing my friends.” And another talked about the impact that missing sport had on their physical health: “It was kind of weird because you got used to not having it and our bodies were really stiff because we couldn’t exercise.”
All the children at the club are delighted to be back practising in person, saying: “It makes me tired so I enjoy my dinner more. It’s good for our brains and body.”
Commissioner Bruce - coached at the session by JudoScotland Regional Development Officer, Samuel Ingram - said: “It was great to join Edinburgh Judo to see the incredible work they are doing. Sport, artistic, and cultural activities are important for children’s education, development, socialisation, mental and physical health. The clubs and communities in these sectors play a vital role as we try to understand and address the impact of the pandemic on children. They can provide safe and supportive spaces to learn, play, and socialise. It’s essential they are properly valued and supported.
“This was my first time trying judo, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. The children were brilliant at giving me tips and I gave it my best shot. But there’s no doubt that my skills need a wee bit more work!”
To learn more about the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland click here.
Introducing The JudoScotland Coach Academy
JudoScotland is excited to announce the launch of our brand new JudoScotland Coach Academy in association with Neil Adams Effective Fighting. This two-year programme will recruit up to ten coaches from across Scotland to improve their awareness of the ‘craft of coaching’ through technical knowledge and help them on the road to independent coaching through a dedicated programme of continued professional development.
People Development Executive at JudoScotland Paul McGuinness stated that “The concept of the Academy is a first for JudoScotland and we are excited to see the impact it has on the future growth of the Judo coaching workforce in Scotland. By focusing on the ‘Craft of Coaching’ we will enable a more holistic approach to coach development. We are delighted to have World Champion and Double Olympic Silver medallist and IJF Technical Expert Neil Adams on board, the expertise he will be able to impart to coaches is invaluable.”
How to Get Involved
JudoScotland is looking for Level 1 or 2 coaches who, with the support of their club, are keen to attend a series of professional development courses, working with coach developers to help improve their craft of coaching. Acceptance to this programme is upon application and preference will be made to clubs who:
- Prioritise workforce development;
- Have demonstrated a commitment to personal development;
- Demonstrate a commitment to membership or pathway development;
- Are committed to providing performance pathway opportunities for judoka.
The approximate overall cost of this programme is £2000, to access the programme we are asking clubs/coaches to invest £250 per year with JudoScotland supplementing the remaining costs through membership investment. For more information and to discuss this opportunity further contact Paul McGuinness on 07949 888 278 or email PaulMcguinness@judoscotland.com.
Click here to find out more and to apply for The JudoScotland Coach Academy.
Nationwide Multi-Sport Coaching Programme
The lead agency for coaching in the UK, UK Coaching, has helped two Scottish Judo coaches develop their knowledge through an innovative nationwide multi-sport development programme. The FOCUS Coach Development programme is designed to provide specific support to coaches in performance pathway environments to enhance the impact of coaching on athlete experience, development and well-being.
We caught up with one of the coaches benefiting from the course, Head Coach at Garioch Judo Club, Stuart McWatt, to find out how the course is going.
As a coach who has continuously sought further development, why is it important for you to look for these opportunities?
“I have always been looking at ways to grow as a coach, completing my level 2 & 3, but I wanted to know more. That’s why I decide to undertake the level 4 and this course.”
“If I get better, I make the people around me get better”
What made the FOCUS coach development programme appealing to you?
“The course is all about looking at coaching behaviours which is really interesting. Sometimes you just do, but this course has made me look at other coaches and reflect on my own coaching so that I know where to go.”
“This doesn’t just help my coaching it helps to develop my coaches.”
How have you found the course?
“I really loved the course. The two best things I took away were, filming yourself coach and the Coach Mentor. When you watch yourself back coaching you think ‘right ok’ it’s all there to see so it really makes you think about how you coach. It is something I have encouraged my coaches to do for their own development.”
“The Coach Mentor was a great tool. As a coach, you very rarely have a coach that coaches you. My mentor Andrew Bradshaw knew nothing about Judo but his mentorship on coach behaviour was a breath of fresh air, sometimes you just need someone to shine a torch for you.”
As a full-time judo coach, how do you find the time to take part?
“Sometimes small sacrifices pay big dividends. Getting someone else to take a class for a few sessions is a sacrifice in the short term but when you are looking at the long term it is worth it.”
What impact does this course have on the judoka on your mat?
“Initially it’s my coaches that will benefit, but by empowering my coaches the Judoka will enjoy the journey.”
What type of courses would you like to see available for coaches looking to develop in Scotland?
“The way we currently deliver coach education is ok but there is definitely room for improvement. We need to break it down more, delivering it in a more interesting way. It’s great to share ideas but sometimes these spaces can turn into a place to rant, we need to keep it positive. Let’s push forward and empower coaches to grow and think for themselves. Make younger coaches aware of what ‘they’ can achieve as a coach.”
“More needs to be done to look at psychology, and not just at an elite level. When you go on to the mat be aware of the signals. Are your players up or down? Is today a good day for them? It can be hard when there 100’s on the mat but by making it important to see the signals not just from a child protection point of view but to ensure that Judo is enjoyable from the get go.”
“The other thing in terms of coach development is ensuring that coaches take time to reflect. Many already but making them aware of the process and why it is important.”
If you would like to learn more about the UK Coaching Focus Coach Development Programme click here.
Richard Kenney Receives OBE
Former Scottish and GB international player and coach, Richard Kenney received his OBE honour from The Princess Royal at an investiture held at the Palace of Holyrood House on 19th January. Richard was awarded his OBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List but because of Covid was unable to receive the award at that time. Richard, who is President of the Commonwealth Judo Association and Vice President of JudoScotland received his award for Services to Judo.
Richard currently holds the grade of 7th Dan and has a Judo CV to be proud of, travelling the world as a competitor has been followed by a lifetime of service to our sport as Richard currently holds the position of President of the Commonwealth Judo Association and is Vice President of JudoScotland. Richard has also held many high positions within local authorities and currently holds the positions of Vice-Chair and Chair for Scottish Club Sport and ClubSport Borders respectively.
Richard has attended many Commonwealth Games with Scotland and was appointed Olympic Team Manager for GB Athens 2004. He gives a lot of his time to sport in his local area but also finds time to support all of our coaching initiatives including masterclasses, clinics, grading’s, kata courses and is usually one of the first names on the list to attend the JudoScotland Gathering.
JudoScotland would like to send our heartfelt congratulations to Richard OBE on his tremendous achievement. We look forward to many more years on the tatami with Richard.