A new cohort of passionate young judoka have been named in the JudoScotland Senpai Programme for 2025. 

After a successful inaugural year in 2024, applications opened in February to welcome a new group of young people to the programme for 2025. 

Twelve young people, aged 16-24 years old, were chosen from ten clubs spread across the country. Each young person brings with them a wide range of experience in judo and will work together to learn new skills, network, and share ideas to develop judo in their clubs and the wider community. 

The Senpai Programme is designed to empower young people within judo clubs in Scotland and support them in building skills and gaining experience, equipping them to tackle challenges both within and beyond our sport.  

The programme will see the young people attend meetings together and take part in workshops led by Scottish Sports Futures and Scottish Disability Sport to gain valuable knowledge and qualifications. Working collaboratively with JudoScotland staff and building on their learnings from the workshops they will aim to undertake a project or develop a role either in their club which offers support and encourages participation in judo.

Our Senpai alumni from last year’s programme continue to support their clubs and JudoScotland through the projects and roles they completed as part of their programme. 

Leading the Senpai Programme is Club Support Officer Sam Ingram who spoke about his excitement to see the programme continue for another year: 

“We have a brilliant group of young people this year who all seem very eager to get started and we can’t wait to see what they do. The Senpai Programme is an excellent way for young people to develop skills that can not only benefit their judo club but help them in other areas of their life.”  

The 12 young people selected for the Senpai Programme 2025 are: 

  • Amy MacDonald (Yamarashi Judo Club) 
  • Ava Halliday (Projudo – Bishopbriggs) 
  • Ben Robbie (Tayside Judo)  
  • Duncan Gardner (University of Strathclyde)  
  • Ian Main (Hibarikan) 
  • Jaimee Kirk (Tanoshii Judo) 
  • Josh McIntyre (Tryst Judo Club) 
  • Joshua Elliot (Carnegie Judo Club)  
  • Keira Cunningham (Yamarashi Judo Club) 
  • Lewis Hardie (Tryst Judo Club) 
  • Liliia Kimberley (Azami Falkirk) 
  • Sara Thakur Chand (Edinburgh Judo)