This International Women’s Day, as we embrace the theme #AccelerateAction, we are shining a spotlight on three dynamic female leaders in the world of judo who are breaking barriers, inspiring change, and leading the charge toward greater gender equality in sports.
Lisa Allan – 2nd Dan
Dr Lisa Allan’s contribution to judo ripples not just throughout Scotland but the entire world as she plays an instrumental role in the organisation of events on the world circuit.
Born into a judo family, Lisa has been involved in judo from a young age, which has fuelled her passion for the sport into her adult life.
Her first taste for judo event management came when she volunteered as Team Manager for the British Team at the Youth Olympic Festival in 2005. She had gotten the buzz for competition management and instantly put her application in for and was successful in the role of Competition Manager for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
Following an incredibly successful judo programme in 2012, Lisa took on the position of IJF Events Director for a decade and was Head of the Gender Equity Commission.
In 2023, Lisa was elected as IJF General Secretary and in so doing joins an elite group of female leaders within Olympic sporting federations. She becomes the first Scottish person to hold this prestigious role within the IJF.
Joyce Heron – 7th Dan
Joyce Heron is a true trailblazer for competitive female judo as she holds the impressive title of Scotland’s first female judo Olympian through competing in Atlanta (USA) at the 1996 Olympic Games.
The lightweight judoka was a force to be reckoned with in her competitive days, securing a World Championship medal in 1993 and subsequently becoming a European medalist at the 1995 European Championships in Birmingham. With five British Championship titles to her name and four top three placings at World Cups/Continental Opens, she was a formidable judoka in her competition days.
After a highly successful career as an athlete, Joyce has remained involved in the sport, holding professional roles within British Judo Association.
She currently fulfils the role of Head of Technical and Education, using her leadership and influence in this role to help shape a positive judo experience for all. She was inducted into the JudoScotland Hall of Fame in 2021 in recognition of her continued commitment to the development of our sport.
Loretta Doyle – 9th Dan
Loretta Doyle is a name which has been on everyone’s lips recently as she was awarded her 9th Dan last month, becoming the first British woman to receive this honor. This achievement is an accumulation of almost five decades of dedicating her life to judo.
Loretta had an impressive fighting career claiming the World Champion title in 1982 and her final European Champion title in 1992, this being her seventh European medal in total. Loretta was also a successful Commonwealth Game medalist, winning silver in Edinburgh in 1986 and a gold medal in Auckland in 1990.
After retirement from competitive judo, Loretta continues to remain dedicated to judo and elevate the sport on the global stage. She offers her expert insight and analysis as a regular commentator for both the EJU and IJF media teams and has held senior management roles at the Olympics, Paralympics, and Commonwealth Games, where she played a key part in elevating the sport to a global stage.
Loretta founded the Loretta Doyle Foundation in 2019, which offers free judo lessons to disadvantaged communities and individuals. She was inducted into the JudoScotland Hall of Fame in 2021 due to the profound impact she has had on the judo community in Scotland.
As we highlight these three women it is important to recognise there are a wealth of women and girls in the judo community who we are proud of for accelerating action through participation, coaching, officiating and being role models to everyone in their clubs.