The JudoScotland Coaching and Volunteering Awards are our National Awards programme recognising the hard work and dedication of the Judo workforce in Scotland. We look forward to visiting the clubs of each of our 2024 winners!

Community Coach of The Year: Stephanie Roulston- West Calder Judo Club

Stephanie has been awarded Community Coach of the Year for her remarkable dedication and commitment to West Calder Judo Club. When the club faced closure due to a sudden leadership change, Stephanie stepped up without hesitation, despite having no prior coaching experience. Balancing the demands of her new role with caring for a young baby and overcoming health challenges, she pursued coaching qualifications and enhanced her skills through technical courses and kata training. Her selflessness and passion for judo have been key in keeping the club afloat, her can do attitude has inspired several members of the judo community across the country and is a deserving winner of Community Coach of the Year.

Disability Coach of The Year: Chris Nicol – Tams Brig Judo Club

Chris has been an inspirational figurehead to all judoka he coaches at Tams Brig Judo Club. Taking it upon himself to organise and deliver summer camps, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to his community. Chris is a level 1 coach and takes junior and senior classes where he is praised for consistently delivering high-quality lessons. He has raised awareness and understanding of sensory impairments and shows what can be achieved in local sports clubs by pushing boundaries. He also tailor makes sessions for children who have disabilities including team building activities that fully engage all students. Chris is described as consistent, determined, and someone who doesn’t let his disabilities define him. His passion for judo and his students is evident, and he gives 100% to every session.

Pathway Coach of The Year: David Reilly – Danderhall Judo Club

David has been instrumental across not one but three clubs in Scotland: Danderhall, Destination and Whitburn. His judoka have won British, Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish titles in the last 12 months and if three clubs wasn’t enough, he also can be often found at our Ratho training centre working with pre-cadets and cadets at their Talent Development Sessions. David has made significant strides in promoting inclusivity within the Talent Development squad, his approach has not only improved the experience of  judoka but also creates an environment where all members feel valued. His unwavering commitment to developing young Scottish judoka makes him a deserving winner for Pathway Coach of the Year.

Volunteer of The Year: Gordon Brawley – Irvine Judo Club

Gordon was one of the founding owners of Irvine Judo in 2010 and has been instrumental in the club’s growth ever since. Starting in a small community hall with no more than 25 members, alongside his brother William and friend David Frew, the club grew and Gordon led the move to the Parterre Hall in Central Irvine, where the club continues to flourish. His commitment to judo goes beyond coaching – he has voluntarily dedicated countless hours to the club, mentoring six senior players through their Level 1 and 2 coaching qualifications. Under his guidance, over 500 children and adults have progressed in their judo journey, achieving black belts and competing for various regional, national, and European titles. He balances performance and community by opening the club’s doors to young refugees, hosted donation drives for local care homes, and established specialised classes, including girls-only and inclusive sessions.

Referee/ Official of The Year: Audrey Pirie – Elgin Judo Club

Audrey has been an inspiration to many judo players at Elgin Judo Club, motivating them to explore officiating as a way to stay involved in the sport. She devotes much of her free time to refereeing at competitions across the UK, demonstrating her commitment to the development of judo. She has inspired several younger players at Elgin Judo Club to start refereeing at local events and festivals. During competition randori sessions, she not only teaches the rules but also highlights the many ways to contribute to judo beyond competing.

Young Coach of The Year: Steven Allan – Castle Douglas Judo Club

After joining JudoScotland’s Senpai programme, Steven completed several qualifications and initiated a project to further develop Castle Douglas’ adaptive judo class. Steven now leads this class with the support of the head coach, creating a strong connection with both players and their parents. His ability to create fun, engaging sessions for all abilities extends across the entire club, not just the adaptive class. His dedication has been instrumental in his brother Sean Allan’s success in adaptive judo, playing a key role as both a coach and training partner. Under Steven’s guidance, Sean won gold at the Special Olympics last year and again at a European Judo Union event this year. In addition to his coaching, Steven is studying sports and fitness at a local college to further enhance his skills.

Young  Volunteer of the Year: Daniel Fiddes – Hamilton Judo Club

Daniel has been a dedicated member of Hamilton Judo Club for six years, despite living with the sight loss condition nystagmus. As a volunteer at the club’s Disability and ASN sessions, Daniel uses the skills he learns in mainstream judo classes to assist the lead coach and support 30 juniors and 15 adults. His quiet and caring nature has made him a favourite with the children, who eagerly look forward to Thursday evening sessions.

Daniel is deeply committed to expanding his knowledge of working with children with disabilities. He has completed courses such as JudoScotland’s “Autistic Sports Acceptance Session” and “Coaching a Visually Impaired Athlete,” as well as several Scottish Disability Sport modules. Beyond the club, Daniel has volunteered with Disability Development Officer Stephen Somerville and participated in RNIB’s Come and Try day, even making an appearance on RNIB and BBC Scotland to promote his work in judo.

Club of the year: Invergordon Judo Club

Invergordon Judo Club has earned recognition as a true community hub, going above and beyond to support its members and making it a well-deserved winner for Club of the Year. Parents and players alike have praised the coaches for their patience, engagement, and ability to make training enjoyable for all ages by offering a perfect balance of fun and disciplined training. The club has grown significantly in recent years, thanks to the passion and dedication of both the coaching staff and committee. Invergordon Judo actively engage with the community, offering demonstrations and hosting a free annual festival. Their inclusive, welcoming atmosphere draws members from both near and far and is a well deserving winner of Club of the Year.

Lifetime Contribution: Frazer McBeath

Frazer has officiated at every level of JudoScotland events, from helping young judoka take their first steps onto the mat at Keizoku to refereeing at our flagship event, the Scottish Open. In addition to his refereeing, Frazer is a devoted coach at Alness Judo Club, where he has guided and inspired generations of judoka. His passion, commitment, and expertise have made a lasting impact on both his club and the wider Scottish judo community, making Frazer a well deserving winner of the Lifetime Contribution award.

Young Technical Official of The Year: Leah Baillie – Just Judo

Described as a “delight to have on the team,” Leah has made an outstanding impression within the JudoScotland Referee and Official workforce. Beginning her journey as a volunteer timekeeper at club events, Leah has steadily advanced through her officiating journey, participating in various JudoScotland events. After completing her contest recorder course in May, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to her development as a technical official. We look forward to seeing Leah continue her journey and become a senior recorder.

This weekend, we returned to sportscotland Inverclyde for another incredible edition of The Gathering, which attracted over 200 judoka from the Home Nations and beyond.

Throughout the weekend, participants enjoyed a range of on-the-mat sessions, focusing on ne waza, tachi waza, and kumi kata techniques, complemented by off-the-mat social.

The event began with an inspiring session led by Double Olympic Champion and three-time World Champion, Shohei Ono, marking his second appearance at The Gathering. We were also honoured to welcome reigning Olympic Champion Takanori Nagase for the first time, who captivated participants with an engaging session.

On Sunday morning, Takafumi Kitahara brought his expertise to the mat, sharing invaluable insights and demonstrating his technical skills to round off a memorable weekend.

As part of the Gathering 2024 we were pleased once again to host our Annual General Meeting(AGM) as part of this exciting weekend of Judo.

Graham Campbell Steps down as Treasurer

After thirty years Graham Campbell has stepped down as JudoScotland Treasurer. We are pleased that at this year’s AGM Graham was appointed as a JudoScotland Vice President, a role that will allow him to continue as an ambassador for Judo in Scotland.

Reflecting on his time on the Board, Graham said;

“In over 30 years as Treasurer, I am delighted to leave the business in strong financial health, with an experienced Board, led by Chair, Marc Preston and a motivated team of JudoScotland employees.

It has been a pleasure working with JudoScotland and I am delighted with the progress we have made to support our members.

I am delighted that we have recruited Anthony Daye as Finance Director.  Anthony loves judo and he has the skills and experience to support the Board and help deliver against our objectives.”

Anthony Daye Appointed as Finance Director

Graham will be succeed by Anthony Daye who has been appointed to the position of Finance Director, following a successful recruitment process earlier in the year. Anthony brings with him over 25 years’ experience as a finance professional, with specialism in financial management and governance.

On his appointment Anthony added, “I am delighted to be joining the JudoScotland Board and cannot wait to get started.

I am looking forward to assisting Marc, Judith and the Board at JudoScotland progress and achieve success with our Judo for All Strategy.

Personally I am looking forward to contributing positively to the sports continued growth in Scotland and hope as well as contributing with my business skills on the Board I can still enjoy the odd rough and tumble on the tatami from time to time!”

Article of Association

The amendments to the Articles of Association were also approved at the AGM, providing greater clarity and streamlining processes.

Last year, British Judo launched an innovative project aimed at addressing the significant issue of fall-related hospital admissions among older adults, which number hundreds of thousands each year. This initiative focuses on teaching older adults—and the wider general public—how to fall safely, maintain their balance, and get back up with ease. Through the Finding Your Feet sessions, participants learn adapted judo techniques specifically designed to enhance their stability and confidence.

Two clubs are currently running pilot programmes in Scotland, supported by JudoScotland. We had the opportunity to speak with Jim Feenan, the driving force behind the Safe Falling, Safe Standing initiative at Carnegie Judo Club, and Stuart McWatt, who is running a similar programme at Garioch Judo Club.

Jim Feenan explained, “The programme supports older individuals, with 12 participants currently involved. Many of these participants face various challenges. We’re helping participants become more comfortable moving around, correcting their posture, and improving stability while walking. A key focus is getting them onto the ground and teaching them how to fall safely—forward and backward.” This approach not only enhances their mobility but also addresses the common fear of falling.

Since its inception, participants have shown noticeable changes . “Since the start of the programme, we’ve seen significant improvements,” Jim said. “It’s about creating a safe environment for everyone involved.” The programme draws on British Judo’s Finding Your Feet principles, aiming to provide older adults—who may not have previous judo experience—with valuable skills.

Stuart McWatt, who led the pilot programme through Garioch Judo Club, shared his experiences: “I was speaking to a guy who does pickleball, and he mentioned that a couple of members have broken their wrists from falls. I thought we can help with that, so I told him about the British Judo initiative.”

Stuart recounted how he introduced the programme to participants: “We took them into the dojo, had a chat about why we’re doing it, and we started off with light movement. We then got them lying on the ground and working on our breakfalls. By the end of the hour, some of the group stopped using the crash mats and were doing it on the mats.”

Stuart added, “We got them moving with the pickleball rackets.” He also addressed their concerns, explaining, “You’re better off rolling when trying to land from a fall, we’re doing a follow-up session soon. We had a very nice open discussion on how best to do things.” He highlighted the need for such initiatives, noting, “I was speaking to a woman rom the NHS, and she said you wouldn’t believe how many injuries you get from pickleball, so there is definitely a need for it.”

The positive impact of the programme is also echoed by participants. Neil Wilson who’s attending Carnegie’s sessions shared: “Since being here I’ve learned a lot, it’s really handy and gives me a lot of confidence moving. When I feel I’m falling now I’m in control and know what to do. Jim’s very easy to work with and you feel relaxed as he goes at a pace which suits everyone.”

Similarly, Pat Naggle reflected on her experience, stating: “I’m very prone to falling and have been all my life so I felt this class was for me. The staff have been fabulous, it doesn’t matter about your level of ability – it’s really inclusive. We’re all beginning to gel as a group and the physical benefits are bringing us forward. I’d say to anyone thinking about joining the class to come and give it a shot, it doesn’t matter your ability, you’re going to be very well taken care of.”

Through the combined efforts of dedicated instructors and the commitment of participants, the Finding Your Feet initiative is proving to be a vital resource.

If you would like to learn more about safe falling techniques with judo. You can sign up to JudoScotland’s coaches information session on November 22nd here

We are thrilled to launch the brand new JudoScotland Kilt! Crafted from our bespoke tartan, specially designed and woven by House of Edgar using traditional Scottish manufacturing techniques, this kilt represents the pinnacle of quality. It’s fitting that the first of these remarkable kilts was crafted for the legendary Shohei Ono, who is currently residing in Scotland from his native Japan. The two-time Olympic judo champion proudly models the kilt, symbolising the strong connection between Scotland and the global judo community.

Shohei said ‘The kilt is very special to me as it connects my love for Scotland and judo. I hope that I can wear it well!’

All profits from the sale of the JudoScotland kilt will be used to directly support more people to participate and develop in judo. With a particular focus on supporting those in need of relief, those purchasing a kilt will be making a significant contribution towards tackling wider societal inequalities.

JudoScotland Chair, Marc Preston, remarked, “Through our strategic plan, ‘Judo For All’ (2023–2027), we are committed to using judo as a platform to make a positive impact within Scottish society. Sport has the power to reduce loneliness, teach valuable life skills, and improve overall health and wellbeing. With  funds raised from the sale of the kilt being invested into projects across Scotland aiming at tackling inequalities, the ‘JudoScotland Kilt’ not only looks great but will do great things too.”

He added, “Our tartan is highly sought after by the global judo community, and we are excited to see how far our kilt will travel!”

We are offering a limited initial run of pre-order kilts that will allow you to showcase the JudoScotland tartan in your own way. To order your kilt, please contact info@judoscotland.com. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to own a piece of JudoScotland history!

How Do I Order My JudoScotland Kilt?

The order deadline for the first run of JudoScotland kilts will be October 21^st 2024. Due to the process of weaving tartan by the bale, a minimum order of 14 kilts needs be placed before JudoScotland can proceed with the weave. The hand crafted nature of this products takes 14 weeks to produce, and we hope to have the first batch of kilts ready for the Scottish Open 2025.

JudoScotland Member Cost £400

Non-JudoScotland Member Cost £450

You can order your kilt in person this weekend at The Gathering, if you can’t make it along please follow the steps below:

1. Download our online order form and complete with you measurements (as per instructions on form).
2. Email complete form to info@judoScotland.com
3. An invoice for the £100 deposit will be sent directly to your email for payment via card or bank transfer.
4. Once JudoScotland place the order to our suppliers we will email an invoice for the remaining balance.

A Brief update from the Chair of some key events and recent judo news from September.

Dear Members

September started off for me with an online training course delivered by sportscotland about good Governance practices. I truly believe it’s extremely important that we in JudoScotland continue to upskill and maximise the lifelong learning opportunities we are presented with.

The following week, on 10th, I was once again on a course organised by sportscotland: this time about Leadership Skills – a very informative and valuable course to attend.

That same evening we had our Board of Directors meeting at Ratho which was attended by our 2 Vice Presidents, Rick Kenney & Jim Feenan and our President Colin McIver. It was great to have everyone together.

On 15th of September we were delighted to host Bob and Rick Cleevely, both 11x British Champions, who were delivering a Kime No Kata course at Ratho. I believe this is the first time that this particular course has been delivered in Scotland, although I’ll stand corrected if anyone’s aware of another session!

It was very well attended with over 30 judoka taking part in the session. I feel that there’s been a real increase in peoples’ appreciation of Kata as a valuable part of their judo journey. And I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Bob and Rick for giving us the opportunity to learn.

On 17th I met up with Euan Burton, National High Performance Coach, Gary Edwards, National Talent Development Manager and Judith to discuss the programmes’ development and moving forward. We had a very constructive discussion and I look forward to seeing the outcomes.

On 21st I attended the Hibari Kan Grand Prix event supported by JudoScotland at Ravenscraig. The feedback was good and, in my opinion, the event went well. Well done to the organising teams.

Finally on 26th hosted the annual drop-in coffee morning for MacMillan Cancer Support. The event was well attended and raised £160 for this well-deserving charity. Thanks to all who came along for your support.

And now we’re fast approaching the AGM and The Gathering. I look forward to catching up with lots of you, and will give an update on both events in my next monthly report.

 Marc Preston

6th Dan

JudoScotland is thrilled to announce that 13 judo clubs across Scotland will benefit from a new wave of investment through the Judo Girls Rise programme. This initiative is designed to increase female participation in judo by creating female-only spaces, which are crucial in attracting and retaining women and girls in the sport.

The funding will support clubs in delivering female-focused judo sessions,  empowering women and girls to engage in judo within safe, inclusive environments. The programme will also include increased investment and opportunities for females in under-represented areas of the workforce to maximise the sustainability of this programme. Each of the selected clubs has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding opportunities for female participation in judo.

Judith McCleary, CEO of JudoScotland, expressed her excitement about the programme’s impact: “We’ve been delighted by the response to our Judo Girls Rise fund. Due to the overwhelming interest, we’ve expanded our initial plan, now supporting 13 projects instead of the originally planned 8 clubs. As part of our Strategic Plan ‘Judo for All’ (2023-2027), we’re deeply committed to increasing female participation in meaningful ways. By supporting member clubs, we can provide greater opportunities for women and girls to engage in the sport.”

The following clubs have successfully secured funding through the Judo Girls Rise programme:

Carnegie Judo Club – Fife

Castle Douglas Judo Club – Dumfries and Galloway  

Clyde Judo Club – Paisley

Edinburgh Judo – Edinburgh

Edinburgh University – Edinburgh

Gairoch Judo Club – Aberdeenshire

Hamilton Judo Club – Hamilton

Just-Judo – Midlothian

Kanokwai – North Lanarkshire

Pro Judo – Glasgow

Sportif (2 x Club Projects)– Venues Across Scotland

Ultimate – Aberdeenshire

Are you ready to kickstart your career in sports administration while supporting Judo to become one of the most dynamic and inclusive sports? JudoScotland, the official governing body for judo in Scotland, is looking for a Business Support Modern Apprentice to join our team! This opportunity is ideal for anyone aged 16-24 with a disability or other barrier to employment.

As part of our strategy ‘Judo For All’ (2023 – 2027) our vision is to become a Scottish Governing Body renowned for excellence, enabling people of all ages and abilities to realise their potential.

As part of our Business Support Team, you’ll dive into a range of tasks, from membership services to communication and marketing, finance, and event support. You’ll also help us develop impactful programmes by providing essential data analysis on membership trends and club activities.

JudoScotland is working in partnership with Enable Works to support this role as we believe that every person who wants a job should have access to the support they need to get one. Enable Works is one of the largest and most successful providers of training and employability programmes in the UK. They help people who experience barriers to employment to find and train for work they enjoy and thrive in jobs they have chosen. 

Does this sound like the role for you? Find out more and submit your application using our Candidate Pack below.

48 hours before her bronze success in Prague, we caught up with Josie Steele to discuss all things judo, injury setbacks and Olympic aspirations.

Josie first stepped onto the mat at Highland Budokan in Inverness, under the coaching of Robert Inglis. “I played a lot of sports when I was younger, but I loved my first session there. Robert was great with the kids, so I stuck with it,” she recalls. As her Cadet career advanced, her achievements followed suit. “I started competing internationally and doing well. In my final year as a Cadet, I won a medal at the European Youth Championships.” Determined to advance further, Josie made the decision to relocate. “At 16, I moved to Edinburgh, left school after fifth year, and joined the Performance Programme at JudoScotland while starting at Heriot-Watt University.”

Going from training twice a week at Highland Budokan to everyday at the National Performance Centre took some adjusting, “It was quite intimidating at the start I’m not going to lie; I was young and it was my first time away from home. The first 6 months were tough but that was also to do with starting university. I didn’t know anyone at first, being able to make friends definitely helps. I noticed very quickly a big improvement in my performance level once I started training full time.”  Josie expressed her gratitude to Malin Wilson, Rachel Tytler, and Abbi Blackie, acknowledging their support in helping her settle in at the National Training Centre: “They were great, really helping me settle in and made sure I was always ok.”

Training alongside Olympic medalist, Sally Conway, Josie took the opportunity to learn good habits to advance further, “I picked up loads of good bits from Sal, the biggest one was actually not overtraining. Doing six good high quality randoris is better than doing 10 average ones and being at risk of injury. It doesn’t mean you work any less hard but when you’re at training just to make sure you are training.”

The success continued as she moved into the Junior ranks, picking up medals abroad and competing at the Junior European and World Championships in her first year training full time.

As is often the case in high-level sports, injuries became part of Josie’s journey. In her second year as a junior, she suffered a snapped elbow ligament, followed by a bulging disc in her neck, leading to an extended period away from the mat. After nine months of recovery, lingering neck issues resurfaced just three months later, prompting her to opt for surgery, where two metal discs were inserted into her neck.

Taking more time away from the mat led to Josie questioning whether she would be able to continue: “The rest is nice for the first couple of weeks, but I’ve had injuries and obviously covid has made me lose about 3-4 years. An injury is ok if you get told when you’ll be back. Initially the doctors weren’t actually sure if my neck would get better so it was a waiting game. I got three different scans on it and it wasn’t getting better at first. Injuries are really tough, especially your first major injury it feels like the end of the world but there is always things you can improve on when you’re injured. I did consider quitting but after the surgery I felt great. But I couldn’t imagine not doing the sport, whether that was recreationally or a performance level. I was also so young, only 22 so I felt I still had a lot to give. I was also still able to study and work so that balance was ideal.”

Recovering from the injury, Josie made the decision to go up and compete in the -63 category. “Moving up has been good for my overall health in terms of avoiding injury. I got a bronze in Latvia at the European cup, it was a big marker for me as it’s the first medal back since being injured and going up a weight. It was really important for myself as I knew I could still compete I also had my first Grand Prix earlier this month which didn’t go to plan but it was good to be competing in that level of competition as I feel I’m still just finding my feet.”

On long term goals, she says: “I take it week by week, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to be the best in the world. I’d love to be an Olympic champion, I want to compete for Scotland and GB. It’s very important to me and my goal is to be the best in the world.”

“I watched the first day of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Steph Inglis was from my club and seeing her do well was a really big deal, and seeing Scotland do well was so good. Watching it I remember thinking I’d love to compete there, the Worlds and the Olympics.”

With our call nearing an end, the conversation moves to gender and what it’s like competing in a male dominated sport: “You definitely do face challenges based on your gender, mainly the lack of women in the sport and you tend not to have as many peers around you. As I get older it doesn’t affect me anymore, often you can be the only girl in the dojo. That’s fine with me now but as a young girl that would definitely be more difficult. I’d say it is getting better in the sport but I’m used to it.”

Though Josie reflects positively on the close bonds formed with her peers. “There are challenges in the sport, but it also means the girls who do it are usually quite close. You don’t have a choice — that might sound bad, but it’s actually really nice. You have to get along, so we form a close-knit group because there aren’t many of us, which is really nice. The girls here, especially, have always been a great group, and we’ve always got on.”

We end the call with advice she’d pass on to younger girls who are thinking of taking up the sport, “I would say get stuck in. Bring a friend if you feel a bit uncomfortable. There are loads of opportunities for girls in the sport, it’s not just a sport for guys – girls can fight too.”