News

JudoScotland would like to offer its best wishes to judoka Malin Wilson, who has taken up Spanish citizenship and has now been confirmed by the BJA and IJF to be eligible to compete for Spain on the IJF Tour.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Malin for her dedication as a Scottish and British athlete. One of Malin’s proudest moments came at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games where she won a Bronze medal for Scotland in the -57kg category.

Malin said: “Being selected to represent Scotland in the Commonwealth Games was one of my dreams come true. I said it then, I said it when I won my medal and I still think it. Wearing SCO on my back is one of the proudest and favourite moments of my Judo career. My dream is now to qualify for the Olympics with Spain, I’ll do everything to qualify and make my dreams come true. Being born in the Highlands, living like a wee wild child and Viking baby gave me the fight I have today. It gave me the fire that runs through my veins and my biggest dreams come from the wee girl brought up in Ullapool. Those who crossed my path at Ratho and shared the 8 years I had there, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thanks again for all your help and support and more throughout the years. You can’t take the Scot out of a Scottish girl, that’s where my fight and fire come from!”

As Malin embarks on this journey, we extend our best wishes to her in her endeavors in her pursuit to qualify for this year’s Olympic Games.

Tayside Judo, in collaboration with Perth & Kinross Active Schools, has launched a comprehensive and long-term project aimed at positively impacting the lives of young individuals.

Commencing in Easter 2023 at Perth Grammar School, the project encompasses a multifaceted approach. It focuses on providing opportunities for community integration and restoration, enhancing mental health and wellbeing, offering diversionary and alternative activities to school pupils, fostering the development of employability and broader life skills, and ultimately contributing to the creation of stronger communities.

The two coaches from Tayside, David Scobbie and Aiden Moffat, have been working with the group following successful taster sessions. David said: “It all stemmed from a conversation with the Active School’s Coordinator Bartosz who knew we were delivering judo in primary schools as taster sessions. He told us there was a group of secondary school kids with complex needs and he thought judo would be good for them. We did a couple of taster sessions with them and the school saw the value in it and invited us to come back and do a permanent block.”

Active Schools Coordinator Bartosz explained, “The initial 12-week program features a group of 10 young individuals with ‘high tariff’ needs, hailing from intricate and diverse backgrounds. These young people exhibit mental health challenges, have been referred to CAMHS Tayside (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), and are currently following part-time or alternative timetables at school.”

The project aims to deliver judo and strength and conditioning sessions to targeted pupils every week over a whole academic year. During those sessions, Tayside Judo educates young people about respect, and the importance of being a responsible citizen, utilising the judo moral code.

Working with pupils who come from often complex and diverse backgrounds, Tayside Judo has created sessions that are fun and engaging for students whose attendance at school averages 45.56%.

Support staff, teachers, an Active Schools Coordinator, the Pupil Intervention Team and our two judo instructors, David Scobbie and Aiden Moffat, have worked tirelessly to create the best possible programme and the benefits are already apparent amongst the group of pupils. There have been cases of students, who previously were involved in conflict outside of school, learning to step back and not turn to violence. Support staff stated that one such pupil would be the first to join the fight before the judo programme had started. The pupil himself stated: “Judo is the only thing that keeps me coming back to school”.

The coaches have also noted changes, David said: “At first none of the kids wanted to be first up at the risk of embarrassing themselves and be the ones who get thrown or be the one unable to do a technique so instead they’d hide behind an act of being boisterous or loud and try not to take part. But now, everybody is engaging well and all are taking part in the session and they talk to the support staff a lot better. They’ve improved their timekeeping whereas before teachers were chasing them up around the school trying to find them but now they’re so keen to get there. Nowadays they are in before us and setting up the mats.” Aiden adds, “I think it also offers them a place to vent their frustrations.” For a lot of these guys, they think they have nowhere to turn, but the mat is a safe place for them to do it.”

Originating from the city of Perth, both coaches share a common background that has significantly bolstered their bond: “I think it helps, coming from the same area and being close in age, we’re relatable to them,” says Aiden. “So we have had similar backgrounds, making it easier for me and David to relate to them. I’ve been through stuff and maybe done things I shouldn’t have done that they’ve done too, but judo steered me away from it. Firstly, training four times a week, I was too tired to get up to any nonsense, but you also learn discipline and you start to take care of yourself more.”

Both Aiden and David are not only a credit to the community, but a credit to the sport. The pair embody the judo values. They demonstrate a profound respect for the students they work with, acknowledging their diverse backgrounds and challenges. They have used judo as a platform to create a supportive environment where students feel valued and accepted, fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth. They openly reflect on their own experiences and want to steer students away from negative paths and show how judo can have a profoundly positive impact on wider society.

The school have shared that the pupils generally have improved their listening and talking skills, with them having opportunities to listen to various instructions, observe demonstrations and thereafter execute those instructions and respond verbally if more information is required. This has had a positive effect on the rest of their experience in school, with teachers stating the pupils involved are showing signs of compliance and on days they are training, come in early to help set up the equipment on the day – a pattern of behaviours that had not been prevalent in the group before.

The beauty of judo has certainly not been lost on the participants. “The kids understand judo is so different to anything they have ever done before, it’s a clean slate” says David. “If we were to take a football class for them, some of them would already be pretty good but with this it’s a level playing field with no one having experience in the sport, it’s a fresh start for everyone. “They also like the action of it, we can entice them in with the demonstration. It’s such a disciplined sport that they don’t get the chance to do anything unless we know they are fully focused as a safety precaution, as a coach this helps us create a better learning environment and the kids have been fantastic to work with.”

The pairs work is a shining example of how judo can be used to make a positive contribution to society, the impact the classes have had on their community is clear for all to see. With the sessions drawing kids back to school and positively impacting their education. Both coaches are supporting wellbeing and resilience in communities through physical activity and sport, also offering opportunities for young people.

Reflecting on the transformative journey of the pupils, David  shares: “The kids were always likeable and always had potential but they were getting in their own way. A lot of people in their lives had written them off and not given them the time of day, it’s so nice to see them gain respect for themselves and others. They’re also keeping tabs on us, asking about our judo activities outside the school and keeping track of how Aiden is doing in his competitions. You also hear things about what they’re getting up to out of school; they’d often be getting into trouble but now they don’t want to get into confrontation, you can see the shift in their mindset. It’s fantastic to see”. Aiden also notes changes in the pupils personality, “It’s great to see that once the pupils have completed a task or drill that we’ve put on for them, they start to respect themselves, you can see they have a bit of a buzz around themselves and it’s just about getting them to stick with that, we want to teach them to learn to respect themselves by being disciplined.”

Their excellent work in the school has not gone unnoticed, Tayside judo were recently awarded the Perth and Kinross Sport for Change award. By providing young individuals with opportunities for personal growth and development, their sessions not only promote physical fitness but also instils valuable life skills such as discipline, respect, and resilience through judo sessions tailored to address the diverse needs of participants, Tayside Judo creates a supportive environment where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive.

The success of Tayside Judo’s training sessions is not just measured in improved attendance or enhanced skills but in the remarkable shift in mindset and behaviour, signalling a positive trajectory for these young individuals. As the academic year starts up again, the Tayside Judo team, alongside the ever-committed staff at Perth Grammar School, remain committed to nurturing these positive changes and fostering a supportive environment for these students to thrive both on and off the mat.

Club Support Officer Sam Ingram shares our excitement: “We are really excited to see what learning and personal development can come from The Senpai Programme, each of the participants has their own personal goals and we look forward to helping all of them.”

We caught up with Rachel Tytler to hear about her journey and experience in judo. She discussed role models, competing across Europe and balancing work with training.

Her foray into the world of judo was sparked by an unexpected twist of fate. After finishing swimming lessons, one of her friend’s dad’s offered to introduce them to the sport. Rachel recalled, “I just tagged along one day with my friends, we were meant to go swimming but the lessons just ended. So he took us to Pro Judo, I sort of fell into it really.”

After three years of training, the competitive element of judo came in. Starting with club competitions and then National Championships. “At The Heart of England competition, at Walsall I got beat, comfortably. It was one of my very first comps and I remember one girl in particular who just kept throwing me and I was desperate for it to be done. But I remember thinking imagine being the other person and being able to throw like this, that definitely motivated me.”

Some self-doubt began to creep in, but thanks to her coaches, she was able to see the bigger picture: “Brian Long was dead encouraging, he kept saying ‘you’re strong, you’re fit, you’ve got good judo’.  He was very enthusiastic and always insisted I do as many competitions as I can. That gave me a huge boost, especially when I was doubting myself and you started to think maybe he is right and maybe I’m not awful. Without his encouragement at the start of my time in the sport I probably would have just left.”

The importance of learning how to deal with defeat is certainly not lost on Rachel, as she emphasises how beneficial it can be in your development: “In hindsight, failing at competitions or losing can be used as fuel. There’s a lesson in losing; there are a lot of people who can’t take losing but it’s such an important life lesson that you need to learn how to deal with. With the kids at my club, I say ‘You either win your fights or you learn. The only time you lose a fight is when you never think about it again’. It’s so good for your progression.”

With her confidence growing and performances improving, she began training at JudoScotland. Starting with Tuesday Randori sessions, Rachel, alongside others from her club, would be driven to Ratho by Brian. “By sixth year at school, I was coming in on a Tuesday and a Thursday. It was a great introduction to Ratho. It was hard, going from competing in your club to being against people like Gemma Gibbons, Jodie Mullen and Sally Conway. You went and got a battering, but you learned so much from those three.”

“Once I left school, I started going to Ratho full-time. Being in an environment with elite athletes and seeing how hard they worked would push me every day. It made me want to work harder. I only remember throwing Jodie once, I maybe caught Sally twice and Gemma once as well but that chase drives you as well. I must have fought the three of them a million times and I can tell you on one hand how many times I threw them collectively, which isn’t great! But the environment and training with them was so important to me.”

Off the mat, their influence was crucial too. “They would give me bits of advice, Sally especially since she competed for longer. Gemma was left-handed, and always told me little tips on what I’m doing and what will work.”

“I always noticed Sally’s tattoo on her forearm which said ‘Believe’. I used to  wonder why she got that because looking at her you’d assume she has so much confidence. It was good for me though, it showed me that it can be normal for anyone to have some self-doubt and need a confidence boost.”

As Rachel’s training intensity was upped, she went down in Scottish sporting history in the summer of 2022: “The Commonwealth Games was an amazing experience; I had never done a multi-sport event before. It was really special walking off the mat after my bronze fight. After I bowed I looked at the crowd behind the girl I just fought and I saw my two best pals, then I saw my family and then Euan (Burton) and the coaches from my club. I didn’t know how but everywhere I looked it seemed like everyone was at the right place at the right time. It felt like a sixth sense and was special.”

After the games, it left Rachel with a lot of time and questions: “2022 for me was the best year and the worst year, obviously the Commonwealth Games were amazing, but the whole year I had a goal in mind. But once that was finished, it was a bit like, ‘Now what?’. I had to think of what I wanted to do with my life. I did Sports Science at Uni and I got into Personal Training thanks to one of the parents of a kid at my club. At the moment I’m doing online programming and it’s something I have enjoyed doing and it’s nice to have a bit of a distraction from training.”

Our chat is over Teams, with the Bearsden judoka currently in Spain for the next couple of months, training in Madrid. The opportunity judo has given her to travel and see parts of the world she likely would not have is not lost on her, “When I was finishing High School, I went to Japan for two weeks and it was unbelievable. Some of the training camps we go on as well, you get to see other cultures that if I was doing something else I just wouldn’t.”

We finish our chat with a look to the future, “I would love to go to the Olympics, but generally I want to just get better. Win more medals, I spoke to Euan after the Commonwealth Games about plans I need to decide which route I want to go down. It’s about getting good results and improving my performances and hopefully with that, moving into higher level competitions.”

Hi all,

February started off with the All Stars – our developmental judo festival.   During this event we trialled a range of different feedback mechanisms including feedback boards to gather comments and ideas, and given the nature of the event, we provided info sheets for parents with ‘an explanation of judo’.   As always, these new style events are work-in-progress and we’ll be sure to use feedback to continue to evolve, improve and grow our offering.

On 6 February myself and my wife, Karen were invited to attend an event organised by the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh, Mr Tadashi Fujiwara, to celebrate the Birthday of His Majesty The Emperor of Japan.   We were there in my capacity as Chair and to represent Scottish Judo.   It’s fabulous that judo is recognised in this way and the solid links our sport provides between both countries.

At the event we had the pleasure of meeting up with Dr George Kerr, 10^th Dan and  President Emeritus of JudoScotland and also Johnny Imrie, a long-standing member of the judo community in Scotland.   And the sushi was delicious!

On 23^rd February Judith and myself attended the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner, which, this year was held in New Cumnock.  This gave us the opportunity to network and talk to potential business partners and leads.

And some good news from Gordon McCathie, our Vice Chair.  He has just opened up his new permanent dojo which I will endeavour to visit at some point.  Based on the photos/images I’ve seen of the dojo,  it looks amazing!   It has always been my opinion that judo in Scotland can only get stronger, the more permanent dojos we have.

On a Board level, we are currently appraising all of our Board Members – an ongoing process that happens this time every year.

And finally to finish, I – like many of you – am beginning to turn my mind to the Olympics in Paris in the Summer!  Exciting times ahead!

Marc Preston

6^th Dan

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity to become a Finance Director at JudoScotland.

As a Finance Director, you’ll play a pivotal role within the JudoScotland Board, which consists of up to 10 Directors. Collaborating closely with the Chair, fellow Board members, and the JS Senior Leadership Team, you’ll be instrumental in providing strategic direction and actively contributing to progress monitoring.

This role offers a unique chance to make a significant impact in the world of Judo while being part of a dedicated team. If you’re passionate about finance and ready to take on a rewarding volunteer role, we want to hear from you!

Join us in shaping the future of Scottish Judo.

To apply:

Send a CV and covering letter to hr@judoscotland.com

JudoScotland’s Club Support Officers, Sam Ingram and Laura Kirkhouse, were in Clyde to present our Young Coach of the Year, Rebecca Bradley, with her award,   Laura said: “Rebecca is essential to the warm and inviting atmosphere that Clyde provides for the kids. From the moment Sam and I walked in, it was clear that Clyde is a club where children can really enjoy their judo and learn a lot about the sport.”

Rebecca, who has been the lead coach for two of Clyde Judo’s three U12 sessions each week since the club re-opened post lockdown, said: “It feels great to win young coach of the year and I am over the moon. I want to say thank you to all the kids at Clyde Judo. It is great to have such an amazing group to teach. I also want to thank all the other coaches at the club especially Susan Wright, Paul Grady and Rebecca Lamb. I wouldn’t be the coach I am today without all your guidance, support and encouragement. My last thank you is to my Mum. You have been my biggest supporter throughout my whole journey in judo and I wouldn’t have achieved this without you”.

Rebecca’s impact extends beyond the confines of the club, as she devotes her time to coaching refugees in North Ayrshire through the Loretta Doyle Judo Foundation, showcasing her commitment to inclusivity and social impact.

Rebecca’s coaching has seen her take taster sessions in schools across Bishopton, Paisley, and Renfrew, where she has successfully introduced numerous young individuals to the world of judo. These taster sessions not only serve as a gateway for children to discover and develop an interest in the sport but also contribute to the club’s continued growth. Rebecca’s proactive approach and positive coaching reflects her passion for sharing the benefits of judo with the wider community, further cementing her role as a valued member within the club and beyond.

Rebecca pioneered and led the Clyde Summer Camp programme, seeing 12 attendees in 2022 and growing it to 29 attendees in 2023, delivering a three day, 36 hour programme on both occasions. She has gone from strength to strength over the last year, undertaking her level 2 course and taking part in the JudoScotland Coaching Academy to continue her own development. She has planned and delivered quality sessions for an U12 group twice a week, including making adaptations and adjustments for one player with cerebral palsy. Rebecca is a shining example of what young people are capable of when they are given the opportunity, support and encouragement

JudoScotland were on the move again as we delivered Nicola Brawley her Volunteer of the Year award at Irvine Judo Club.

Nicola, club treasurer, carries out a host of duties within the club. Whether it be as an event coordinator, competition organiser, first aider or even a mat cleaner, there seems to be no job Nicola does not do. Nicola is a volunteer who only has the smooth operation of the club on her agenda.

As well as all the above, Nicola organises the Judo Girls Rock session at her club, a participation programme aimed at bridging the gender gap in judo, particularly among young females. This initiative not only promotes inclusivity within the sport but also addresses the broader issue of female underrepresentation in physical activity programs, both locally and nationally.

Nicola epitomises how the support roles outside the dojo enhance the training within it. Thanks to Nicola’s work behind the scenes, the coaches can focus solely on their role as Nicola has everything else covered!

Speaking after the presentation, she said: “I’m delighted I won the award. I would like to thank our head coach Gordon Brawley for the nomination. I love what I do for my club and the community.”

Nicola embodies the judo values through her work at Irvine JC, she fosters an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie where everyone is welcome as she ensures every facet of the club continues to run smoothly.

Gordon, head coach of Irvine Judo Club, said: “I’d like to thank JudoScotland for recognising Nicola’s hard work over the past couple of years. She is a very hard-working individual who puts the club at the forefront of everything she does. Nicola keeps the club on a good financial footing by taking on the role of club treasurer, as well as club cleaner, club first aid woman, and volunteer without a second thought. She organises Xmas and Halloween parties, not forgetting Easter eggs. She is at the forefront when organising fun days and charity events. She is a workaholic and a good person who will always put others before herself, all for free. To quote one of her favourite sayings, ‘Aye, the cleaner will get it’.

Nicola’s unwavering dedication, selflessness, and tireless efforts truly exemplify why she is deserving of the Volunteer of the Year award.

Charlie Strachan, of Tams Brig Judo Club, was presented with the JudoScotland Disability Coach of the Year award by JudoScotland’s Head of Business Delivery Tony Penfold. Upon receiving the national award, Charlie paid tribute to the rest of the Tams Brig team, including his wife and fellow coach Michelle Strachan who won the same award last year, stating: “This award was not just down to me. It was teamwork on a massive scale from JudoScotland, club coaches, parents and last but not least the athletes themselves. Everyone had a part to play and I am just very proud I could be the catalyst bringing all this together.

Charlie goes above and beyond in his approach to make Tam’s Brig Judo Club an inclusive and welcoming environment to all. The club has a diverse membership which includes members who have physical, leaning, and sensory disabilities. His dedication ensures that every member feels not only welcomed but truly valued, enabling them to fully engage in club activities and advance in their judo journey.

After presenting the award, Tony said: “From the minute I walked into the club Charlie told me about everything and everyone – except himself! Such humility was matched with immense pride in the club, all its members and their plans for the future. The buzz in Tams Brig Judo Club tells you how inclusive it is, everyone’s included, everyone’s involved and everyone’s having a great time – especially Charlie”.

Going beyond the expected, Charlie took the initiative to learn Deafblind Manual which is a way to communicate using touch only. His encouragement for others to explore this skill reflects his unwavering dedication to inclusive communication.

He adapts his coaching to allow judoka to feel a technique and ensures a thorough understanding of what is being done. He strongly believes in nurturing “home-grown” coaches, inspiring members of his club to start their own judo coaching journey. This has culminated in a diverse coaching workforce that supports Charlie’s drive to introduce judo to a wide range of individuals.

Charlie Strachan’s recognition as the JudoScotland Disability Coach of the Year highlights his commitment to fostering inclusivity at Tams Brig Judo Club. His forward-thinking approaches reflect his dedication to ensuring every member feels valued and supported.

By promoting internal coaching, Charlie creates a judo community where everyone can thrive. His leadership exemplifies the transformative impact of empathy and determination within sports, inspiring a legacy of inclusivity and excellence.

John Buchanan was presented with the JudoScotlandPathway Coach of the Year award earlier this week by JudoScotland CEO Judith McCleary. John received his award at his home club Sportif, surrounded by the judoka who nominated him for this prestigious national award in recognition of his hard work and dedication to coaching. John, a five time British Champion and 2014 Commonwealth Games medalist, was pleased to pick up the award and thanked those within his club: “They’re a real pleasure to work with, they make my job easier.” John received the award at his club in Larbert but also coaches in other areas spanning Linlithgow, Cupar, St Andrews, Falkirk, Coatbridge, Airdrie  and Dunblane. He said: “It’s nice to be recognised within the judo community, it helps to reinforce that you’re doing something right.”

Despite John’s inclination to downplay his efforts, his dedication to the sport and his commitment to providing opportunities for judoka to enhance their skills are not to be overlooked. John along with wife Clare has meticulously coordinated travel and accommodation arrangements for trips within the UK, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his athletes.  John has led groups of judoka to various competitions and training camps, both domestically and internationally, providing them with exposure to diverse levels of competition and training environments.

John’s coaching philosophy extends beyond medal-winning; he prioritises nurturing confident and respectful individuals in his club and beyond. During the award ceremony, some of John’s athletes took time out of their training session to share their thoughts. “John has helped us enjoy our judo more,” remarked one judoka, reflecting on the positive impact John has had on their experience in the sport. Another added, “He’s helped us improve a lot more as well.”  Lexi, John’s daughter and one of the athletes at Sportif, finished with, “He’s my dad and my coach, he does everything for me.”

Speaking on behalf of JudoScotland, Judith said ‘Coaches have a huge impact on the lives of those they coach. As well as supporting the development of judo skills on the mat, they help judoka to become more independent, confident and resilient; skills that are transferred into lots of other areas. We know how much work is undertaken behind the scenes by John and other coaches  -booking facilities, goal setting, session planning and competition preparation are just a few of the other tasks. It was a pleasure to present John with the JudoScotland Pathway Coach of the Year award and to see club members thrive under his guidance and what appears to be endless enthusiasm!