News

Throughout February and March, JudoScotland was proud to team up with amazing judo clubs from across the country to take part in five Scottish Disability Sport Parasport Festivals. Together, we helped introduce hundreds of children to the exciting world of judo, many for the very first time! 

The Parasport Festivals are all about giving young people with physical, sensory (including vision and hearing), or learning disabilities the chance to try out a wide variety of inclusive, fun, and safe sports. Led by friendly, qualified local coaches, each session is designed to be welcoming and supportive ensuring that every child feels included, valued, and empowered to take part. 

But it’s not just about sport. These events are about building confidence, sparking new friendships, and creating memories that last. For many children, the Parasport Festivals offer a chance to connect with others who understand their experiences and to feel a real sense of belonging—on and off the mat. 

Stephen Somerville, JudoScotland’s Disability Development Officer, shared: 

“The Parasport Festivals are a brilliant way for young people and coaches to grow and learn together. Judo really is for everyone, and it’s a joy to see its values—like respect, courage, and friendship—being lived out in such a vibrant and inclusive way. We’re honoured to play a part in something that brings so many smiles and so much growth.” 

A huge thank you goes out to Tayside Judo Club, Jidel Judo, and Castle Douglas Judo Club. Your energy, support, and dedication helped make these events such a fantastic success! 

“I am very proud of the pupils and I’m very proud of the community that we are becoming as a result of being involved in this project.”  Bart, Active Schools Coordinator  

“It has changed them massively. I can’t recommend this highly enough” Sharon McDonald, Pupil Support Assistant 

One year on from launching their joint project with Perth & Kinross Active Schools, Perth Grammar School is celebrating the powerful impact of using judo to empower young people.

Tayside Judo Club sessions based at Perth Grammar School offer more than just physical activity; it fosters community integration, supports mental health and wellbeing, and helps develop key employability and life skills. At its heart, the project is about building stronger, more connected communities through the values of judo.

Each week throughout the academic year, targeted pupils including those who can’t access a traditional classroom setting take part in judo and strength and conditioning sessions. These sessions go beyond promoting physical fitness, they offer a valuable platform for learning and personal development, grounded in the core values and principles of judo, such as mutual respect and making a positive contribution to society.

In partnership with Enable Works Scotland and sportscotland Modern Apprentice Programme we are excited to welcome Emma McInulty to the team.

Emma joined JudoScotland on 31st March 2025 to begin her 18-month apprenticeship with the JudoScotland Business Support Team, supporting with membership services, administration and JudoScotland events.

Working in collaboration with both sportscotland and ENABLE Works, the goal of the Modern Apprentice Programme is to support a young person with disabilities into employment to gain valuable work experience whilst simultaneously gaining a qualification.

Disabled people are often underrepresented across all aspects of the sporting system, therefore this scheme aims to identify ways of diversifying the workforce and recruiting more young people into jobs.

In addition to completing their qualification and gaining experience in the workplace, the young people will also be invited to networking events quarterly to meet with other apprentices to share experiences and build a support network to share ideas and offer support to each other.

The initiative is led by sportscotland and Enable Works with the support of employers such as JudoScotland. JudoScotland is one of several Scottish Governing Bodies, Local Authorities and National Partners who were approached to participate in the scheme. Through the programme, JudoScotland will have access to a suite of workshops and CPD opportunities on inclusivity.

Speaking about her new role Emma shared her excitement to get started:

“I’m really excited to join JudoScotland and get stuck into my new role. I think it will really help me to grow my confidence in the workplace and gain an extra qualification.

“The thing I am most looking forward to is helping with events. I’ve volunteered at a couple of JudoScotland events in the past so I’m quite interested in seeing how they come together in the background and all the work that goes into making them possible.”

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

Dear Members,

The monthly cycle started off on the 2nd March with the Strathkelvin Mon, Kyu and Dan Open. This is an event that’s been designed for beginners and less experienced players, to give them an introduction to competitive judo. As we know, it’s very important that the judo community gets a wide and varied range of competitions and I’m delighted to see clubs enhancing the opportunities available.

A few days later Judith and myself attended a lunch hosted by the Scottish Sports Association in celebration of International Women’s Day. The lunch was attended by the First Minister, John Swinney, plus around 20 other invited guests from the sports sector. It provided us with a good opportunity to showcase the positive work being done within the judo community across Scotland to accelerate women & girls’ engagement.

A quick reminder, that we had a major milestone on 10th March: 500 days to go until Glasgow 2026! I know it sounds like a long way off, but it’ll come round in a flash!

On Tuesday 11th we had an online board meeting. This was an extra session due to the amount of work currently being processed. Thank you to all the Board and staff for committing to this slot. I’ve been finding that we are needing more top-up sessions to get through our ever -increasing workload.

During the same period, Gordon McCathie, our Vice Chair, has been leading the appraisals of the Board of Directors, some of which I’ve been personally involved with. Thank you Gordon for your time in this very important piece of work.

On 17th March I had my appraisal from British Judo for my Home Nations representation on the Board. I spent a good hour with British Judo Chair Gerry Gualtieri and a further extended time afterwards with him discussing other, broader issues!

Back to JS business, we had our Board meeting on the 25th to which we invited our Vice Presidents (Rick Kenney, Jim Feenan and Graham Campbell) and our President (Colin McIver). As always their input is important for our organisation moving forward.

The final weekend of the month rounded off with the Hibari Kan at Ravenscraig, part of JudoScotland’s Grand Prix series. I was there for a limited time, but unfortunately wasn’t able to stay as long as I would’ve liked due to personal commitments. For those I didn’t have the chance to catch-up with – I do apologise but we’ll speak next time!

Across at Inverclyde we were delighted to welcome Sensei Yoshihiko Iura to lead on an outstanding Kata Weekend sharing his extensive knowledge in Nage no Kata and Kime no Kata.

Roll on April.

Marc Preston, 7th Dan

The Scottish Government have passed changes to the law around PVG’s, called the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 which will be implemented on the 1st of April 2025.

JudoScotland have been working with Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services (VSDS) to clarify and understand how these changes will impact judo clubs. Together, we have prepared guidance to help clubs adapt and comply with the updated legislation.

Online information sessions were delivered in March for clubs, led by Wendy McBeth, Compliance and Training Officer at Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services. If you missed our online training session there is a recording of the session available to watch on our website.

We have been delighted by the positive response from clubs so far that recognise the importance of understanding the new PVG requirements and the impact it has on their club.

Additional information to help clubs prepare for the changes coming on the 1st April 2025 to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 has been complied onto the webpage here.

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) 

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are fast approaching, and the excitement is building! 

Taking place from Thursday 23rd July to Sunday 2nd August 2026, the Games will showcase a 10-sport programme across four key venues within an eight-mile corridor of the city. With over 200 gold medals up for grabs across 10 action-packed days, this promises to be an unforgettable event. 

We’re thrilled that Judo will be part of the Games once again! Glasgow 2026 will have a unique feel compared to previous editions, so here’s what we know so far: 

When will the Games take place? 

Thursday 23rd July to Sunday 2nd August 2026

Judo | Commonwealth Games | #Glasgow2026 

Where are the Glasgow 2026 Venues? 

The four Venues for the games are as follows Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Scotstoun Stadium, Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). 

What categories are included in the medal programme?  

Men’s – 7 Medal Events 

1. -60kg 
2. -66kg 
3. -73kg 
4. -81kg 
5. -90kg 
6. -100kg 
7. +100kg 

Women’s – 7 Medal Events 

1. -48kg 
2. -52kg 
3. -57kg 
4. -63kg 
5. -70kg 
6. -78kg 
7. +78kg 

Which Judoka will be Representing Scotland at the Games? 

The number of judo places for Team Scotland at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be allocated by Commonwealth Games Scotland. Athletes meeting the eligibility criteria and nomination standards will be considered for selection. 

The eligibility criteria for representing Team Scotland are outlined in the General Selection Policy and Standards document, which can be found on the Commonwealth Games Scotland website. Any athletes with questions about their eligibility should contact JudoScotland for support. 

The judo-specific selection policy and standards for the 2026 Games will be published by April 2025. The selection period will run from May 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, and the JudoScotland selection panel will assess athletes based on these standards. The final decision on nominations will be made by Commonwealth Games Scotland in early June 2026. 

Team Staff 

Commonwealth Games Scotland will allocate judo with a number of Team Staff roles, for which there will be an open recruitment. The recruitment of these roles is expected to be concluded by July 2025. 

Legacy 

Time to Get Planning – The Commonwealth Games provides an exciting shop window for Judo as it lands on mainstream media! And with a reduced sports programme, we can expect heightened publicity for Judo. This could provide clubs with exciting opportunities to host additional ‘have a go’ sessions to capitalise on those inspired by the Games or why not turn your club into a watch party, to get behind our Scottish Judoka. Our Club Support Officers will be in touch in the lead-up to the Games, to help your club make the most of this legacy opportunity.  

The JudoScotland Supporters Club  

The JudoScotland Supporters Club brings together passionate Scottish Judo fans, creating a community to cheer on our Judoka. With the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Home Games fast approaching, the excitement is building! Sign up for our mailing list to receive exclusive updates, special event invitations, and be part of the journey. 

The dojo at Clyde Judo Club has become a bustling hub of activity on a Tuesday night as their female-only session gets into full swing with over twenty female judoka taking to the mat each week.

Clyde Judo Club launched their female-only sessions in February after securing funding via the JudoScotland Judo Girls Rise Fund which was awarded to 12 clubs across Scotland last year. When developing their female judo programme at the club, Clyde Judo Coach Rebecca Bradley found a gap in their offering and knew immediately what she wanted to do with the awarded funds.

“We applied for the grant with JudoScotland and looked at who we had at the club currently. We’re quite a 50/50 split for girls and boys in our younger sessions so we thought it might be a bit different to tap into a totally different group. So, we decided to aim the class for woman 25 and up and that’s how we ended up with the session.”

Susan Wright, who co-leads the female-only sessions alongside Rebecca describes why they felt it was important as a club to provide a female-only space in their class offering:

“Sometimes it might feel a bit intimidating to not have a female-only space and it might feel like they don’t deserve to be there especially as you get that little bit older. It’s nice to have a space where you’re not going to be judged by anyone. These women don’t want to go on the mat at the same time as their kids, they don’t want to go on the mat at the same time as the young boys, so they want to be in their own space.

The sessions were an instant hit and were fully booked just two hours after going live online on the club’s social media pages.

All the woman in attendance highlighted the sense of community and friendship they had formed over the past few weeks and are eager to continue attending and improving their judo skills. One of the session participants Catriona Kerr said her reason for signing up for the sessions originally stemmed from wanting to inspire her daughter but she has ended up loving the sport herself:  

“My little girl comes to Clyde Judo, she’s been coming now for two years, she enjoys the exercise but she’s a little bit less willing to do the fighting. So, I thought it was a good experience for her to see her mum doing it too. 

“As a woman of a certain age, taking on new things it can be a bit apprehensive but I think there’s comfort coming into an all woman’s class, we’re all the same level so it’s not like you’re coming into a class with people who have been doing judo for years and you’re trying to catch up. No one’s afraid of doing anything stupid, no one’s afraid of making a fool of themselves because everyone’s here for the same thing and that’s quite comforting.” 

The class structure follows a split between generally fitness exercises and introducing the women to basics techniques of judo, working on safe falling, grips and have begun to introduce throwing in the past few sessions.  

Another session participant Audrey Smith who has been attending since week one described how the sessions are not only a source of exercise but also of socialisation:  

“They vary it every week and even when you’re doing the warmup, you’re on your own and then you grab a partner then you’re on your own again so you’re meeting new people every week.  

“It’s varied and fun, it’s not boring, it’s not like going to the gym and just going on the treadmill constantly for 10 minutes and you don’t have anyone to talk to, you can come here and have a laugh and still feel like you’re done something.”  

Looking ahead to the future, the appetite for the classes to keep going is high and the club are keen to continue the class offering to anyone who wants to join. They are eager that women who might otherwise never have experienced all that our sport has to offer them can get involved. Clyde Judo’s Rebecca Bradley said: 

“I think it’s important to show that Judo is for everyone, it’s not just for kids or people who are already fit. Our classes show that everyone can do it and we’re open to everyone giving it a go. 

“We’re hoping to keep it going past the eight weeks, absolutely everyone has asked us to keep it going and we hope to open it up to even more people and keep it going forever!” 

If you want to find out more information about the Judo Girls Rise Programme or how to get involved, please contact Club Support Officer Laura Kirkhouse at laurakirkhouse@judoscotland.com  

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.