Carnegie Judo Club has recently become the latest club to achieve JudoMARK accreditation status since the club accreditation scheme was updated in 2024.
The JudoMARK club accreditation scheme is for clubs that are committed to maintaining the highest standards of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, People Development, Club Management and Governance. As the national governing body for judo in Scotland, JudoScotland is committed to equipping affiliated clubs with the resources and support they need to create not only a safe environment but one where the sport can thrive.
When discussing the benefits of undertaking the JudoMARK accreditation scheme, Head Coach Jim Feenan said: “We had the older version of JudoMARK from back in 2015 and I think that was a useful exercise to have gone through. When we started on the journey for the latest one, we had assumed that we had much of the processes and procedures in place when in fact we had to relook at everything.”
“It’s been an extremely useful exercise to make sure that we are compliant across a number of areas whether that’s the coaching side of things or safeguarding. We wanted to focus a lot on safeguarding to make sure we were Three Step Safe, and I don’t think we would have reviewed everything so thoroughly if it wasn’t for the JudoMARK process.”
At JudoScotland, our goal is to equip affiliated clubs with the tools and resources they need to create safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments for everyone who steps on the mat. JudoMARK presents an ideal opportunity for clubs to assess various areas in their club infrastructure to ensure these areas are at the forefront of operations.
Sam Ingram, Club Support Officer, presented Carnegie Judo Club with their JudoMARK plaque in December: “We are proud of Carnegie Judo Club achieving JudoMARK status, it’s a true testament to the club’s dedication to operating at a high standard and their commitment to the safety of their club members.”
“We hope to see more clubs in 2026 begin and complete their own JudoMARK journey as we continue to work together to ensure that judo clubs across Scotland continue to provide safe and nurturing environments for people to thrive and take part in our sport.”
To learn more about JudoMARK and to find out how your club can get involved click here.