News

We are excited to announce that Team Scotland’s Judo Coaches for Glasgow 2026 will be Alberto Borin, Gary Edwards, and Takafumi Kitahara. 

These three highly experienced, full-time coaches within the JudoScotland Performance Pathway have been identified as the most suitable to lead our athletes at the Games. Alberto, Gary, and Taka have been working closely with judoka and their club coaches throughout the qualification period, supporting training plans, competition schedules, and performance development to help athletes meet nomination standards for selection. 

As we approach the end of the year, we are proud to have 14 athletes already in contention for selection, with the qualifying window remaining open until 31st May 2026, giving plenty of time for more judoka to join the mix. 

A Home Games is a truly special occasion, and Alberto, Gary, and Taka are ready to embrace this challenge and lead Team Scotland to success. 

Alberto Borin, JudoScotland’s Head of Performance and Team Scotland Judo Coach added “We look forward to continuing our work with judoka and their club coaches throughout the qualification period, into the Games, and beyond. A Home Games offers a unique opportunity to collaborate closely with athletes, clubs, and additional coaching support right up until they enter the competition phase, enabling a truly holistic preparation. Our shared goal is to ensure this approach translates into a successful and memorable Games for Team Scotland.” 
 

A brief update from the JudoScotland Chair Marc Preston on activity in November. 

The month started off attending the British Judo AGM in Walsall.  I had to get up at the crack of dawn as I travelled down by train! The session, as always, went well, with a very informative presentation to the membership. Congratulations to CEO Andrew Scoular, Chair Gerry Gualtieri and their team.   

The Scottish National Closed Championships on 8th & 9th November at Ravenscraig showcased some incredible contests and I’d like to congratulate everyone on their results. Thank you to our clubs across the country who continue to encourage and support players on their competitive journey. 

On 15th November I was invited to attend an event in the Whitburn Community Centre to celebrate Ramsay Thomson’s 50 years in judo.  It was quite an emotional night with speeches from Ramsay himself and Gary Edwards from JudoScotland.  I’ve known Ramsay personally for this entire time!  He has been a stalwart on the Scottish judo scene, and I would like to congratulate him on this recognition. During the evening event we bumped into quite a few judoka I hadn’t seen for a long time – too many to mention but amongst them had a great catch up with Steven & Michelle Vidler and Winston Gordon from British Judo.  

On 17th November I had the pleasure of spending the day with Andrew Scoular.  He had a meeting with Judith and, later in the evening, Andrew, Graham Campbell, our President Colin McIver and I went for a very pleasant catch-up meal to end the day. 

Players from eight different clubs travelled to Montreal for the Montreal Pan-American Open and training camp and what a success that was – medals galore for our Scottish contingent and 4 more athletes meeting a Commonwealth Games minimum nomination standard in Canada.  

On 22nd, JudoScotland hosted Keizoku in the morning and our new Adapted & VI Festival in the afternoon.  I am informed that it was an exceptional day, providing a supportive environment for new players stepping out of their club, getting a flavour of what is on offer. Thank you to Jidel Judo and Tayside Judo who supplied fruit and medals for competitors and well done to the organising team for making it a truly memorable occasion. 

On a personal note, my wife and I travelled down to Wolverhampton on 28th November to pay our respects at the funeral of Christine Bent Brown – wife of Kerrith Brown, Olympic Medalist.  For those younger members of our judo family, Kerrith was one of the best players that our country has ever produced.  I have known them both for many years and would like to send my love and condolences to a very special person. 

Marc Preston, 7th Dan 

On Friday we were honored to celebrate the great and good of Scottish Women in Sport at the 2025 SWIS Awards at the Raddison Blu Hotel in Glasgow. JudoScotland was proud to host the two Scottish judoka finalists on the night and share in the excitement in watching both finalists win their respective categories.  

Loretta Doyle – 2025 Inspiration in Sport

We are delighted to share that Loretta Doyle won the 2025 Inspiration in Sport Award.  

A true trailblazer, Loretta was part of the first group of women to compete in a Women’s Judo World Championships in New York in 1980, claiming the World Champion title herself two years later in 1982. She won her final European Champion title in 1992, this being her seventh European medal in total, as well as competing in two Commonwealth Games, 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. As well as coaching judoka at all levels, Loretta offers her expert insight and analysis as a regular commentator for both the EJU and IJF circuit and has held senior management roles at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, and Commonwealth Games, supporting the delivery of judo on the global stage.  

Wanting to give back to a community that gave her so much, Loretta founded the Loretta Doyle Foundation in 2019, which offers free judo lessons to disadvantaged communities and individuals, demonstrating the impact that participating in judo can have on people.  

Loretta made history this year by becoming the first woman in Britian to be awarded their 9th Dan after dedicating almost five decades of her life to judo. Her impact on the judo community has been profound, and she is thoroughly deserving of the Inspiration in Sport Award.  

Lois Goldie – 2025 sportscotland Young Sportswoman of the Year

We are delighted to share that Lois Goldie won the 2025 sportscotland Young Sportswomen of the Year Award.  

Lois has had an exceptional season in judo showcasing her ability to compete and succeed at the highest levels against some of the strongest young athletes on the circuit. Lois has claimed titles as Scottish Champion, British Champion, Commonwealth Judo Championship Gold Medalist, Luxembourg International Gold Medalist, and Lithuania Alytus Open Bronze Medalist.  

However, it is not just her results on the mat that have earned her this accolade, Lois is a natural leader in both her judo and wrestling clubs, regularly supporting younger athletes and helping them to develop their skills and confidence. Lois exemplifies judo’s core values and has helped to contribute to a positive club environment where everyone can have fun and thrive.  

Lois’ determination, kindness and leadership make her a deserving winner of this year’s Young Sportswomen of the Year award.  

With strong individuals across every category, the evening was a true celebration of the incredible individuals in Scotland who are breaking down barriers to female participation and showcasing the incredible world of women in sport.  

• Sports bodies in Scotland say they are “running on empty” thanks to years of funding cuts and are calling on the First Minister to use the upcoming Budget to honour the Government’s 2021 commitment to double annual sports funding to £100m per year
• The bodies say as the global sporting spotlight falls on Scotland, the impact of a real terms’ funding reduction of nearly 25% since the 2021 commitment has left them cutting costs, reducing programmes and in some cases losing staff
• Sport’s crucial role at the heart of important health prevention and community cohesion schemes is becoming more vulnerable as bodies struggle to balance the books and say as a result, sports are at risk of becoming less inclusive
• Significant numbers of athletes competing on the world stage are having to self-fund for national and international competitions.

SPORTING bodies across Scotland have written to the First Minister urging him to use the upcoming Scottish Budget to deliver on the Scottish Government’s pledge to double annual sports funding.
Many say that a real terms funding cut over last four years means they are now “running on empty” at a time when the global sporting spotlight falls on Scotland with this week’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup and hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Tour de France Grand Depart in Edinburgh in 2027 and Euro 2028.
In its 2021 Programme for Government, the Scottish Government pledged to double annual sports funding to £100m from the current level of £50m per year but as the current Parliament enters its last few months, that target remains unmet.
The Scottish Governing Body for Sport Forum (SGB), which represents senior leaders in sports across Scotland, is warning John Swinney that a perfect storm of rising costs, increased demand and reduced real terms funding threatens the ability of many to continue to operate properly and reduces their ability to support vital community programmes.
Post-Covid budget challenges and pressures elsewhere have been cited as why the funding uplift never materialised however last year, the Government found over £30m for arts and culture after they cited similar challenges to sport and more money has been pledged for that sector this year.
Now, as the Scottish Government prepares its final Budget before the next election, the governing bodies have urged the First Minister and Finance Secretary to deliver the promised funding boost to avoid the crisis worsening.
In the letter to John Swinney and Shona Robison, they want assurances “that investment in sport remains a priority, as it was in 2021 and as you prepare for the final Budget before this Parliament comes to an end, this commitment remains”.
Governing bodies struggling in face of ongoing funding worries
Doc McKelvey, chief executive of Scottish Gymnastics and chair of SGB Forum said: “Overall funding of sport from the Government is just under £50m per year and the amount of that to governing bodies is considerably less. That is a real terms cut over the last four years when inflation is considered.
“To be clear, this is funding to allow governing bodies to operate at even the most basic level. We’ve had to mend and make do over the last few years but for many, we are now running on empty.”
While the impact that the lack of funding has on facilities has been publicised, much of the work of SGBs goes on in the background which means the impact can be less visible publicly.
A survey of 30 Scottish sports organisations conducted by consultancy 56° North, found almost all have had to cut costs, reduce programmes and in some cases lose staff just to be able to keep going. The bodies also said the real terms cuts means sport is becoming less inclusive and less able to help achieve desired health and social cohesion outcomes.
The survey also found that most organisations have had to increase membership fees, cut back on community programmes, take smaller squads to competitions and were unable to fund significant numbers of athletes competing on the world stage who often have to pay for events out of their own pockets.

In addition,

• 88% of SGBs are concerned about their capabilities/future if no additional budget is provided.
• 48% are concerned about their reduced capacity to attend/host events.
• 24% are concerned about grassroots involvement
• 25% are concerned about inclusion of women/girls
• 32% are concerned about shortage of officials/staff/trainers due to salary/budget constraints

The total payroll costs of those SGBs with the greatest reliance on public funding has grown by over £7m in the past four years. Over the same period, sportScotland has only been able to support an increased investment of £1.4m due to funding constraints.
The SGBs say they have had positive discussions with Government ministers but are calling for urgent action and in addition will be asking all political parties contesting next year’s Holyrood elections, to commit to matching and fulfilling the pledge as well as supporting a more sustainable long term funding approach.
Nick Rennie, chief executive of Scottish Cycling said: “This crisis affects all bodies, big and small. We are operating under unsustainable financial pressures, which are having a significant impact on the decisions we make and will continue to have to make if we do not receive additional financial support.
“The Scottish Government has been sympathetic to our position, and we understand the challenges they have faced and are facing, but the truth is, we’re running on empty.”

Wider benefits from sport at risk as funding falls

The most recent Scottish Household Survey results from 2023 showed that 37% of adults and 38% of children do not meet the recommended physical activity levels. This represents a worsening position from prior years.
The programme budgets that have been cut are often those that have been used to address issues of inequality, to develop targeted and specific initiatives for underrepresented groups, as well as to help maintain support for athletes representing their country, rather than passing further cost increases on to them. By way of an example, an international training camp and competition for a group of Scottish athletes is estimated to have increased in cost by circa 25 – 35% over the past five years.
Judith McCleary, Chief Executive of JudoScotland said: “Many SGBs are finding it increasingly challenging to retain good people with staff turnover at every level continuing to grow. By way of an example, 28% of governing bodies have had to recruit a new CEO in the last 12 months, with leaders sourcing other more attractive opportunities, within or outwith the sport sector.”
Governing bodies say they have taken mitigating actions by increasing membership fees, reducing programme budgets, and exploring alternative funding streams but that all options have now been exhausted and if investment is not forthcoming, then the consequences will mean further programme cuts, membership fee increases and potentially more redundancies.

JudoScotland is pleased to announce a new partnership with Lost Shore Surf Resort, bringing our members exclusive benefits and unique opportunities to experience Scotland’s premier inland surfing destination, home to Europe’s largest wave pool. 

As close neighbours, this collaboration felt like a natural fit. Both organisations share a passion for sport, community, and creating positive sporting experiences. Through this partnership, JudoScotland members will enjoy special discounts on surf lessons and refreshments.  

This partnership also strengthens our ability to provide a base for judoka travelling to train at JudoScotland facilities. Building on the success of our autumn training camp, where we welcomed five-time World Champion Uta Abe, we continue to create world-class opportunities for our athletes. Most recently, we were proud to host judoka from Germany and Poland, further showcasing our commitment to providing world class opportunities for our judoka.  

Judith McCleary, Chief Executive at JudoScotland shared, “This partnership represents an exciting opportunity to collaborate with an organisation that shares our values. Lost Shore Surf Resort has worked tirelessly to enhance infrastructure around the JudoScotland area, most notably by introducing a new bus link to improve accessibility. We are confident that by working together, we can continue to create meaningful opportunities for JudoScotland members and Lost Shore Surf Resort customers alike.” 

Alejandro Padro ESG & Business Development Manager from Lost Shore Surf Resort added “Lost Shore is more than a surf resort, it is a hub for active and adventurous people to gather and have a good time surfing, eating or relaxing in the sauna. Partnering with JudoScotland is a great step towards developing that vision and to strengthen relationships between neighbours. Our passion is sport, so it is great to see people from other disciplines at Lost Shore and we are delighted to being able to support the development of JudoScotland with our facilities” 

To view JudoScotland membership benefits, visit the Categories & Benefits page on the JudoScotland website.  

It had been an incredible weekend of judo as Scottish judoka competed across two continents at the Montreal Panamerican Open and the Dutch Open Venray Tournament. 

Scottish judoka delivered an impressive nine medals across the Montreal Junior Panamerican Cup.  

Two golds were secured by Eden Heffernan (ProJudo) in the –73kg category and Arad Ghafoorirad (ProJudo) in the –90kg division, who produced a faultless day of judo, winning every contest by ippon from the Round of 16 all the way to the final. 

Adding to the medal tally was Joe Buchanan (Sportif) in the –60kg category who claimed a superb silver medal, with Harriet Jones (ProJudo) also securing a silver medal in the –52kg category.  

Rounding off the podium finishes were four bronze medals courtesy of Lexi Buchanan (Sportif) in the –48kg category and Jocelyn Callaghan (Destination Judo) in the –52kg division.  Jack MacLeod (Garioch Judo Club) also secured a bronze in the –73kg category and the final medal of the day was awarded to Jaden Calder (Judo Club Esprit), who secured a hard-fought bronze in the –100kg category.  

In the –60kg category, Rhys Clydesdale (Judo Club Esprit) narrowly missed out with a 5th-place finish, while Coen Gilbert (Sportif) also put in a solid performance to take 7th. 

In the –63kg category, Sunny Doig (Just Judo Yoshin) delivered a determined performance to finish 7th, while Kevin Gordon (Hibari Kan Judo Club) delivered an impressive showing to finish 5th, just shy of the podium. 

The following day saw judoka take to the tatami for the Montreal Senior Pan-American Cup 2025 where another four medals were added the weekend tally.  

Daniel Pacitti (Tanoshii Judo Club) impressed with a silver medal in the –73kg division following some tough competition. He was joined by Jaden Calder (Judo Club Esprit) who secured his second bronze medal of the weekend in the –100kg category and Gregor Miller (Tayside JC) who also took bronze in the +100kg category.  Rounding off the medals for the weekend was Sunny Doig (Just Judo Yoshin) who secured a bronze medal in the –63kg division.  

There were some strong performances across the squad with 5th place finishes from Eden Heffernan (ProJudo), Ross Dempsey (Clyde Judo) and Jocelyn Callaghan (Destination Judo) and a 7th place finish for Harriet Jones (ProJudo).  

Back across the pond in Europe another group of Scottish judoka took to the tatami at the Dutch Open Venray and Shenshu Adaptive & VI Tournaments where the weekend medal tally increased further.  

Chris Murphy (Shettleston Judo Club), Ross McInnes (Zenkai Judo Club), and Jaden Stewart (Kanokwai Judo Club) secured gold medals in their categories and were joined on the podium by Soloman Rice (ProJudo) and Sean Allan (Castle Douglas Judo Club) who both impressed with a silver medal each. Amy MacDonald (Yamarashi Judo Club) added to the tally with a bronze medal of her own.  

The afternoon saw judoka compete in the Shenshu Adaptive competition where a further six medals were awarded. Topping their division, Jaden Stewart (Kanokkwai Judo Club) secured a gold medal alongside James Gallagher and Liam Wilson (Aboyne Judo Club), with Liam later adding a bronze medal to his haul.  

A silver medal finish from Ross McInnes (Zenkai Judo Club) and a final bronze medal from Solomon Rice (ProJudo) finished off the medal tally in the Netherlands. 

Back on home soil, the National Training Centre was buzzing with activity, welcoming judoka from the Home Nations, Poland, and Germany alongside our Scottish athletes for an intense weekend of training, further reinforcing our commitment to delivering world-class opportunities for Scottish judoka.  

Pro Judo has recently become the latest club in Scotland to achieve JudoMARK accreditation, following the update to the club accreditation scheme in 2024. 

The JudoMARK scheme is designed to help clubs review and strengthen their processes, ensuring a consistent commitment to the highest standards in Safeguarding and Wellbeing, People Development, Club Management, and Governance. 

Pro Judo embraced this process as an opportunity to refine its procedures and keep members at the heart of every decision. Coach and trustee Stuart Mallan shared his thoughts on the journey to completing JudoMARK as a club: 

“The example templates make the process so much easier than trying to do it alone. Having Sam’s support has massively sped things up and made everything more straightforward. From a club perspective, having clear procedures in place is invaluable, they provide a solid guide for what to do when things go wrong.” 

“It’s reassuring to know the basic rules and policies, and what should and shouldn’t happen within the club. This structure offers a great level of confidence and assurance for everyone involved.” 

At JudoScotland, we aim to empower affiliated clubs with the tools and resources they need to create safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments for everyone who steps onto the mat. This commitment forms part of the wider British Judo initiative, Three Steps safe. The JudoMARK programme offers an excellent opportunity for clubs to evaluate and strengthen these standards, ensuring the highest quality experience for all members. 

At the start of November, Sam Ingram, Club Support Officer, proudly presented Pro Judo with their JudoMARK plaque. He shared: 

“We are incredibly proud of Pro Judo for achieving JudoMARK status. This accreditation is a clear signal to members, parents, Active Schools, and Local Authorities that the club operates to the highest standards and is committed to continuous development for its members.” 

“It’s great to see more clubs starting and completing their JudoMARK journey. Every milestone reached strengthens our community and ensures judo clubs across Scotland remain safe, welcoming spaces where people can thrive.” 

To learn more about JudoMARK and to find out how your club can get involved click here.  

Are you passionate about judo and eager to help shape the future of the sport in Scotland? We’re looking for a dynamic, committed individual to take on the vital role of National Technical Official Co-ordinator (NTOC) within our volunteer workforce.

This is a key position driving the growth and development of technical officials across Scotland, ensuring we have the people, standards, and support needed to deliver a world-class events programme.

What you’ll do:
✔ Support and develop current officials
✔ Recruit and welcome new volunteers into the pathway
✔ Deliver a structured, inclusive pathway tailored to individual needs and event demands
✔ Collaborate with JudoScotland’s Events and Coaching & Volunteering Managers
✔ Contribute as a member of the Event Workforce Working Group
✔ Maintain accurate records and create opportunities for all involved
✔ Motivate, empower, and build strong relationships across our judo community

If you’re ready to make an impact and help grow the sport you love, we’d love to hear from you!

Download or view the Application Pack’s below for more information: 

Following a robust recruitment process, JudoScotland is delighted to announce the appointment of Adam Lovey as the new National Referee Coordinator.

In this pivotal role, Adam will lead and support Scotland’s dedicated team of judo referees, continuing the development of a strong and sustainable officiating pathway. We caught up with Adam to hear more about his vision for the future of refereeing in Scotland. 

“I want to build on the work of my predecessor to create a supportive and successful referee development pathway in Scotland. My goal is to make Scotland the most successful region in the BJA for refereeing and referee development.” 

With over 15 years of experience in refereeing, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong network of relationships across Scotland and the wider UK judo community. 

“I’ve built up a lot of experience and connections over the years, and I plan to use these to advance Scottish refereeing. Having come through the system myself, I understand both its strengths and its challenges. My aim is to improve the areas that need change and help others navigate the pathway more effectively.” 

Adam is passionate about mentoring and education, and he’s committed to supporting new and aspiring referees. 

“I plan to be an active and encouraging tutor, working alongside our existing team to assist those coming through. I’d also like to expand our tutor numbers so we can introduce a mentoring system, making the journey into refereeing more accessible and rewarding.” 

Looking ahead, Adam has ambitious goals for the growth of refereeing in Scotland. 

“I’d love to see Scotland with five active IJF referees within five years. We currently have three (the most we’ve ever had) and I’m on the pathway myself. Achieving five would be groundbreaking. I also want to strengthen our numbers across all levels, aiming for 7–10 National B and 8–12 National C referees. This would give us a broader base and reduce the pressure on the same individuals at every event.” 

Adam succeeds Neil Malone, whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the officiating landscape in Scotland. Neil continues to be a valued source of support and guidance for referees across the country. 

JudoScotland looks forward to the next chapter in referee development under Adam’s leadership, and we’re excited to see the impact of his vision and energy on the future of Scottish judo.

Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility played host to an exciting weekend of judo action as the Scottish National Closed Championship 2025 welcomed 361 judoka from 46 clubs across the country. 

Over two days, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November, the tatami came alive with fierce competition, camaraderie, and standout performances. Club Sportif emerged as the dominant force, topping the medal table, with Garioch Judo and Pro Judo close behind in second and third place, respectively. Notably, 27% of competitors were female, reflecting JudoScotland’s growing female membership and commitment to inclusivity in the sport. 

Saturday’s events saw a mix of minors, pre-cadet, cadet, junior and senior categories, with standout performances from Hibari Kan Judo Club’s Kevin Gordon. Having already met a qualification criteria for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Gordon added to his accolades with a gold in the Junior –100kg and a silver in the Senior category. 

The Buchanan family stole the spotlight in a remarkable display of sibling success. Lexi Buchanan clinched triple gold in the Cadet and Junior, and Senior –48kg categories. Her brothers Jude and Joseph followed suit, Jude winning gold in the Pre-Cadet –60kg, and Joseph securing Senior –60kg gold along with a silver in the Junior category.  

Meanwhile, Tam’s Brig Judo Club demonstrated that success isn’t reserved for the biggest clubs. For the first time in recent history, the team secured three medals: Emma McCall claimed silver in the Cadet Female -52 kg category, Mark McGarrie earned silver in Veterans M5–M6 -73 kg, and Andrew Strachan took bronze in Veterans M3–M4 -100 kg. 

Sunday marked a historic moment with the inclusion of the Veterans category, a first in recent memory for the Closed Championship. The passion and commitment of these seasoned judoka added a new layer of inspiration to the event, and JudoScotland looks forward to expanding this category in future editions. 

Adding a touch of excitement off the mat, Finnie, the official mascot of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, made a special appearance, delighting competitors and spectators alike. 

In a record-breaking show of support, 91 coaches pre-registered to coach matside, underscoring the vital role they play in fostering a safe and supportive environment for athletes. 

The event’s success was made possible by the tireless efforts of volunteers, including referees, table officials, and the enthusiastic Game Changer team. Members of the Senpai programme also played a key role in supporting officials and ensuring smooth operations throughout the weekend. 

If you would like to view the full list of results from the weekend click here.