This weekend marked a busy one on the JudoScotland calendar. The Scottish Judo Community gathered to Ravenscraig for not just one but two events!  

On Saturday, judoka from all corners of Scotland gathered with a single focus: competing for the prestigious Scottish Title. With over 400 entries spanning a range of categories, Ravenscraig buzzed with excitement, setting the stage for a fantastic display of skill, strength, and sportsmanship. 

One of the day’s highlights came from Sportif Judo Club’s Maia Thomson. Fresh off a bronze medal win at the Riga Cadet European Cup in October, Maia fought her way to win Gold in the -63kg weight class, not only in the Cadet category but also in Juniors and Seniors—a remarkable achievement. 

Gairoch’s Ross McWatt had a successful event, winning the Junior –73kg Scottish Championship title. He also took home the Senior Bronze medal following some fabulous fights in a strongly contested category won by Tayside’s Aiden Moffat. 

Last month we shared a story on Oleksandr Ostritov’s judo journey after he arrived in Scotland from Ukraine in 2022. With the help of his sponsor family, Oleksandr started attending Bridge of Allan Judo Club, and since then, he has been supported by clubs and coaches throughout the community to help his development and progression. His story tale continues with a Championship win in the Junior –81kg category and with younger brother Kiril following in his footsteps, winning a Gold medal in the A band –46kg category.  

Sportif’s rising star Lexi Buchanan had a phenomenal Championship winning titles at Cadet, Junior and Senior level. 

The event was a true celebration of Scotland’s judo talent, an event made possible by the tireless efforts of our volunteer workforce. 

JudoScotland National Kyu and Dan & JudoScotland Veterans National 1st Kyu and Dan Grading 

On Sunday, some of the competitors returned to the mat, joining other judoka eager to make valuable progress toward their next grade promotion. This event offered opportunities to be assessed on technical knowledge and application and/or to earn competitive points for those striving to advance through the higher grades, showcasing their progress, commitment and skill.  

Attracting over 95 participants it was fantastic to see such a well-attended event, with an impressive turnout in the female categories! This particular event also provided the opportunity for some of our trainee Senior Examiners to move one step closer to completing their training.
 

Once again, the event workforce stepped up to the mark, many returning for a second day to support delivery with enthusiasm and purpose. 

Earlier this month, two groups from our Scottish judo community embarked on a transformative journey to Japan, the birthplace of judo. The trip brought together coaches from the Kaizen Academy and young judoka from our Talent Development Squad, both gaining valuable insights into the culture of Japanese judo.

We’ve been running the Kaizen Academy for about two to three years, offering a variety of CPD opportunities for our coaches,” Paul McGuinness, JudoScotland Coaching and Volunteering Manager explained.  “Gary (Edwards) approached us as he was planning to take members of the talent development squad to Japan and we thought it would be great to combine both groups for the trip. It was also really helpful having Tony (Penfold, JudoScotland’s Head of Development) who was great for the group.”

Talent Development Manager Gary Edwards reached out to Yoko Tanabe, a six-time All Japan Champion and double Olympic medallist, who was instrumental in helping shape the programme, which included visits to three prestigious high schools—Sho Toku, Seisoku Gakun, and Shukutoku—alongside a session at Tokai University, where the team had the honour of training with Mr Nakanishi, the 1983 World Champion. Jack MacLeod, from the Talent Development Squad, said “We covered the fundamentals of judo which was helpful, it was a really good session and everyone in the group was happy with it.” The group also visited the home of judo, the Kodokan established by Jigoro Kano where he developed the sport.

The itinerary was packed with opportunities. The groups attended local competitions, including high school and police championships, and the two groups even joined in evening randori sessions at the Kodokan—a bold chance to test their skills in Japan’s most renowned dojo. In between sessions, they also explored Japan’s cultural sites, from historic temples to local attractions and even managed to squeeze in a theme park visit.

Throughout the week, each group member learned nuggets of information they’re eager to share back home. Capturing video clips to bring home  that delve into everything from technical tips to training philosophies, offering a unique insight into how Japanese judoka approach their sport both on and off the mat.

The trip also offered surprising encounters with some of the world’s most celebrated judoka, as Paul recalls the group bumping into the world’s most successful judo player as the group made their way to the shops: “It was surreal the people you’d see, the first night we just went on a walk and just happened to see Ryoko Tani. Then the next day the younger judoka were training alongside the recently crowned junior World Champion.”

As the group made their way back to Scotland, they returned with a deeper connection to judo, inspired by training alongside elite athletes and engaging with local coaches. Looking to the future, this special trip has laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration and with plans already in place for a return visit, JudoScotland is excited to build on this foundation

A Brief update from the Chair of some key events and recent judo news from October.

Dear Members

October was a busy month, starting on 5^th with the Highland Grand Prix.  Gordon McCathie, our Vice-Chair went along to represent the Board at the event, which I’ve been told, ran very smoothly.

On 6^th October, our CEO Judith, Euan Burton, Gary Edwards and myself met at Ratho to have a discussion with Clubs and Coaches about the way forward for our High Performance and Talent Development Programmes.   There was a great turn out – with over 30 participants.   There followed a very open and frank discussion and I’d like to thank all of the Coaches for their input to what was a very courteous and constructive session.  This was just the start of the process, and we’ll be in contact again to move things further forward. To those who did come along, thanks for taking the time to come along on your weekend.

On 11^th October, Judith and myself travelled to Glasgow to meet up with Andrew Scoular and Gerry Gualtieri, respectively the CEO and Chair of British Judo.  Jointly we met with sportcotland to discuss our ways of working during this important time as BJA review their strategy. It’s important that JudoScotland and British Judo have an aligned approach going forward and, again, we had a very constructive meeting.

12^th/13^th October was our Annual Gathering – superbly attended with over 240 judoka who were spoiled with an absolutely world-class coaching line-up.   It included Shohei Ono (amongst other accolades – double Olympic Champion and 3 x World Champion),Takanori Nagase (Current Olympic Champion)and our High Performance Coach, Taka Kitahara.  A feast of 12 hours of judo and an absolute joy to be on the mat with such legends!

On 12^th October we had our Annual General meeting at Largs.  A very slick, rollout – completed in 30 minutes.  I think the format that we use is really good!

And, after such a busy weekend, I headed off for a family holiday for a week to recharge the batteries.

On 29^th October we had our Open Board meeting.  As per last year, we ran the session online:  one of the reasons being to provide absolute transparency.   We were highly recommended by our Partnership Manager, Sarah Birrell from sportscotland, as being the first governing body to go down this path.

Other events of significance this month include the JudoScotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards and I’d like to give a big congratulation to all of the winners.

And fantastic news that you’ll already have heard the Commonwealth Games is coming to Glasgow.   Ten sports  have been selected and judo is one of them.  An absolute boost for our sport.   I’m really looking forward to the preparation and the event itself.

We have also just launched our new JudoScotland tartan kilt. Hopefully you’ve seen the promotion with Shohei Ono wearing his!   I’ll definitely be purchasing one and feel free to contact JudoScotland if you’d like to do the same.

I’d like to congratulation Gordon McCathie who has just been voted in to continue as Vice Chair on the Board for a further 2 years.  Well done Gordon!

The Chair of sportscotland Maureen Campbell, and our Director, Sandy Hodge, visited Hamilton Judo Inclusion Club and gave fantastic reviews.  Again, I’d like to thank Hamilton Judo Club for all of the hard work they’re doing in this very important area.

On a personal basis I’ve been accepted on to the British Judo board as JudoScotland’s Home Nation representative.  This is a role I’ll be involved with for the next couple of years.  It is exceptionally important to have these ties, so we can have an aligned way of thinking and moving forward.  I look forward to getting to know my British Judo Board Colleagues.  First session is on 1 November.

Finally some fantastic news to finish with.  JudoScotland has been short-listed as the Scottish Governing Body of the year at the upcoming Scottish Sports Awards.  It’s the first time in our history that we’ve received such a nomination and makes me extremely proud.   Getting this kind of recognition is a real boost and I’d like to thank all staff, Board and JudoScotland club members, volunteers and officials for all your superb work and contribution.  This is recognition of all the hard work that everyone is doing!  Keep it going!

Onwards!

 Marc Preston

6th Dan

Are you ready to make a real impact in a sports communication role? JudoScotland is looking for a Communications Officer to join our team as we gear up for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your communications career in a thriving sporting environment, contributing to projects that enhance lives through judo and supporting our performance athletes as they prepare for a Home Games.

If you are passionate about sports, communications, and making an impact, this is the perfect role for you!

To learn more about the role and submit your application, see details below.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has officially confirmed Glasgow as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place in Scotland from Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August 2026, returning to the city 12 years after the hugely successful 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow 2026 will feature a 10-sport programme which will include Athletics and Para Athletics (Track & Field), Swimming and Para Swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, Netball, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, Bowls and Para Bowls, and 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball

This will be Judo’s fifth appearance at the Commonwealth Games, building on the success of previous campaigns in 1990, 2002, 2014, and 2022, where Scottish judoka have collectively won 35 medals (nine gold, nine silver and seventeen bronze).

The 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland saw Scottish Judoka take home eight medals, with Loretta Cusack- Doyle securing a gold and current JudoScotland Chair Marc Preston winning a silver medal. It would be another 12 years before judo returned to the Games, and in 2002, we headed to Manchester, where the team secured an impressive 10 medals, including Graeme Randall winning gold.

After another 12-year wait, judo made a triumphant return in 2014, this time on home soil in Glasgow. With sold-out crowds, it was an unforgettable event, with Judoka winning 13 medals from 14 athletes (six gold, two silver, five bronze)making judo Scotland’s most successful sport of the Games.

Judo’s most recent appearance was in 2022, when we once again headed south of the border, this time securing four medals in Birmingham. Sarah Adlington made history by becoming the first Scottish judoka to win two Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Judo’s inclusion in the 2026 Commonwealth Games is a significant achievement for the entire community. As one of just ten sports chosen for this streamlined edition, its selection reflects the sport’s rising popularity and the strength of its presence across the Commonwealth nations. For Scotland’s judoka, it presents a prime opportunity to compete on the international stage, proudly representing Scotland, and demonstrating their skills to a global audience.

We now have a fantastic opportunity to add to our Commonwealth Games story. Our CEO Judith McCleary said:

“We are thrilled that judo is included in the sports programme for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games provide a fantastic opportunity for athletes to represent Scotland, and the opportunity to do so in Glasgow is particularly special.

Judo has a rich history of success in the Games, none more so than at the Glasgow 2014 Games in which 13 judoka won medals towards Scotland’s overall medal count of 53.

As we allow the exciting news to settle and start our own preparations, we hope that the Commonwealth Games will not only bring the judo community together, but will unite the whole country to deliver a fantastic event and showcase Scotland at its best.”

To find out more about the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, visit www.glasgow2026.com

The JudoScotland Coaching and Volunteering Awards are our National Awards programme recognising the hard work and dedication of the Judo workforce in Scotland. We look forward to visiting the clubs of each of our 2024 winners!

Community Coach of The Year: Stephanie Roulston- West Calder Judo Club

Stephanie has been awarded Community Coach of the Year for her remarkable dedication and commitment to West Calder Judo Club. When the club faced closure due to a sudden leadership change, Stephanie stepped up without hesitation, despite having no prior coaching experience. Balancing the demands of her new role with caring for a young baby and overcoming health challenges, she pursued coaching qualifications and enhanced her skills through technical courses and kata training. Her selflessness and passion for judo have been key in keeping the club afloat, her can do attitude has inspired several members of the judo community across the country and is a deserving winner of Community Coach of the Year.

Disability Coach of The Year: Chris Nicol – Tams Brig Judo Club

Chris has been an inspirational figurehead to all judoka he coaches at Tams Brig Judo Club. Taking it upon himself to organise and deliver summer camps, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to his community. Chris is a level 1 coach and takes junior and senior classes where he is praised for consistently delivering high-quality lessons. He has raised awareness and understanding of sensory impairments and shows what can be achieved in local sports clubs by pushing boundaries. He also tailor makes sessions for children who have disabilities including team building activities that fully engage all students. Chris is described as consistent, determined, and someone who doesn’t let his disabilities define him. His passion for judo and his students is evident, and he gives 100% to every session.

Pathway Coach of The Year: David Reilly – Danderhall Judo Club

David has been instrumental across not one but three clubs in Scotland: Danderhall, Destination and Whitburn. His judoka have won British, Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish titles in the last 12 months and if three clubs wasn’t enough, he also can be often found at our Ratho training centre working with pre-cadets and cadets at their Talent Development Sessions. David has made significant strides in promoting inclusivity within the Talent Development squad, his approach has not only improved the experience of  judoka but also creates an environment where all members feel valued. His unwavering commitment to developing young Scottish judoka makes him a deserving winner for Pathway Coach of the Year.

Volunteer of The Year: Gordon Brawley – Irvine Judo Club

Gordon was one of the founding owners of Irvine Judo in 2010 and has been instrumental in the club’s growth ever since. Starting in a small community hall with no more than 25 members, alongside his brother William and friend David Frew, the club grew and Gordon led the move to the Parterre Hall in Central Irvine, where the club continues to flourish. His commitment to judo goes beyond coaching – he has voluntarily dedicated countless hours to the club, mentoring six senior players through their Level 1 and 2 coaching qualifications. Under his guidance, over 500 children and adults have progressed in their judo journey, achieving black belts and competing for various regional, national, and European titles. He balances performance and community by opening the club’s doors to young refugees, hosted donation drives for local care homes, and established specialised classes, including girls-only and inclusive sessions.

Referee/ Official of The Year: Audrey Pirie – Elgin Judo Club

Audrey has been an inspiration to many judo players at Elgin Judo Club, motivating them to explore officiating as a way to stay involved in the sport. She devotes much of her free time to refereeing at competitions across the UK, demonstrating her commitment to the development of judo. She has inspired several younger players at Elgin Judo Club to start refereeing at local events and festivals. During competition randori sessions, she not only teaches the rules but also highlights the many ways to contribute to judo beyond competing.

Young Coach of The Year: Steven Allan – Castle Douglas Judo Club

After joining JudoScotland’s Senpai programme, Steven completed several qualifications and initiated a project to further develop Castle Douglas’ adaptive judo class. Steven now leads this class with the support of the head coach, creating a strong connection with both players and their parents. His ability to create fun, engaging sessions for all abilities extends across the entire club, not just the adaptive class. His dedication has been instrumental in his brother Sean Allan’s success in adaptive judo, playing a key role as both a coach and training partner. Under Steven’s guidance, Sean won gold at the Special Olympics last year and again at a European Judo Union event this year. In addition to his coaching, Steven is studying sports and fitness at a local college to further enhance his skills.

Young  Volunteer of the Year: Daniel Fiddes – Hamilton Judo Club

Daniel has been a dedicated member of Hamilton Judo Club for six years, despite living with the sight loss condition nystagmus. As a volunteer at the club’s Disability and ASN sessions, Daniel uses the skills he learns in mainstream judo classes to assist the lead coach and support 30 juniors and 15 adults. His quiet and caring nature has made him a favourite with the children, who eagerly look forward to Thursday evening sessions.

Daniel is deeply committed to expanding his knowledge of working with children with disabilities. He has completed courses such as JudoScotland’s “Autistic Sports Acceptance Session” and “Coaching a Visually Impaired Athlete,” as well as several Scottish Disability Sport modules. Beyond the club, Daniel has volunteered with Disability Development Officer Stephen Somerville and participated in RNIB’s Come and Try day, even making an appearance on RNIB and BBC Scotland to promote his work in judo.

Club of the year: Invergordon Judo Club

Invergordon Judo Club has earned recognition as a true community hub, going above and beyond to support its members and making it a well-deserved winner for Club of the Year. Parents and players alike have praised the coaches for their patience, engagement, and ability to make training enjoyable for all ages by offering a perfect balance of fun and disciplined training. The club has grown significantly in recent years, thanks to the passion and dedication of both the coaching staff and committee. Invergordon Judo actively engage with the community, offering demonstrations and hosting a free annual festival. Their inclusive, welcoming atmosphere draws members from both near and far and is a well deserving winner of Club of the Year.

Lifetime Contribution: Frazer McBeath

Frazer has officiated at every level of JudoScotland events, from helping young judoka take their first steps onto the mat at Keizoku to refereeing at our flagship event, the Scottish Open. In addition to his refereeing, Frazer is a devoted coach at Alness Judo Club, where he has guided and inspired generations of judoka. His passion, commitment, and expertise have made a lasting impact on both his club and the wider Scottish judo community, making Frazer a well deserving winner of the Lifetime Contribution award.

Young Technical Official of The Year: Leah Baillie – Just Judo

Described as a “delight to have on the team,” Leah has made an outstanding impression within the JudoScotland Referee and Official workforce. Beginning her journey as a volunteer timekeeper at club events, Leah has steadily advanced through her officiating journey, participating in various JudoScotland events. After completing her contest recorder course in May, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to her development as a technical official. We look forward to seeing Leah continue her journey and become a senior recorder.

This weekend, we returned to sportscotland Inverclyde for another incredible edition of The Gathering, which attracted over 200 judoka from the Home Nations and beyond.

Throughout the weekend, participants enjoyed a range of on-the-mat sessions, focusing on ne waza, tachi waza, and kumi kata techniques, complemented by off-the-mat social.

The event began with an inspiring session led by Double Olympic Champion and three-time World Champion, Shohei Ono, marking his second appearance at The Gathering. We were also honoured to welcome reigning Olympic Champion Takanori Nagase for the first time, who captivated participants with an engaging session.

On Sunday morning, Takafumi Kitahara brought his expertise to the mat, sharing invaluable insights and demonstrating his technical skills to round off a memorable weekend.

As part of the Gathering 2024 we were pleased once again to host our Annual General Meeting(AGM) as part of this exciting weekend of Judo.

Graham Campbell Steps down as Treasurer

After thirty years Graham Campbell has stepped down as JudoScotland Treasurer. We are pleased that at this year’s AGM Graham was appointed as a JudoScotland Vice President, a role that will allow him to continue as an ambassador for Judo in Scotland.

Reflecting on his time on the Board, Graham said;

“In over 30 years as Treasurer, I am delighted to leave the business in strong financial health, with an experienced Board, led by Chair, Marc Preston and a motivated team of JudoScotland employees.

It has been a pleasure working with JudoScotland and I am delighted with the progress we have made to support our members.

I am delighted that we have recruited Anthony Daye as Finance Director.  Anthony loves judo and he has the skills and experience to support the Board and help deliver against our objectives.”

Anthony Daye Appointed as Finance Director

Graham will be succeed by Anthony Daye who has been appointed to the position of Finance Director, following a successful recruitment process earlier in the year. Anthony brings with him over 25 years’ experience as a finance professional, with specialism in financial management and governance.

On his appointment Anthony added, “I am delighted to be joining the JudoScotland Board and cannot wait to get started.

I am looking forward to assisting Marc, Judith and the Board at JudoScotland progress and achieve success with our Judo for All Strategy.

Personally I am looking forward to contributing positively to the sports continued growth in Scotland and hope as well as contributing with my business skills on the Board I can still enjoy the odd rough and tumble on the tatami from time to time!”

Article of Association

The amendments to the Articles of Association were also approved at the AGM, providing greater clarity and streamlining processes.