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Looking ahead to the European Championships in Rotterdam next month, Kirsten Taylor on her journey so far, unconventional training methods and her Paralympic aspirations.

Growing up in school, Kirsten hated PE: “My teacher didn’t understand how bad my vision was, it was frustrating because I always liked sport but my teacher used to think I was just messing about and I was seen as disruptive”.

That teacher may be forgiven for being a little surprised when they potentially see their once disruptive pupil represent Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Her experience in school never dampened her love for sport. Kirsten tried her hand at swimming, dressage and athletics – though felt she was overprotected as she recalls not being allowed to take part in sprint training: “They didn’t know what to do with me, I was either completely unsupported or if we were meant to be doing sprints they wanted me to just walk.”

After quitting both athletics and swimming, a chance encounter at a Scottish Disability Sport Have a Go Day in 2016 ignited her love for judo.

“I originally went to get a shot on the fancy tandem bikes, but judo was one of the sports they were doing. I found I quite liked it and the coach who was running it urged me to keep doing it so I left with a phone number to join a club.”

Upon arriving at her first session at Tayside Judo, she was hooked: “I turned up on the first night and there was absolutely no weirdness about my visual impairment. Everyone at the club treated it like it was completely normal.

Kirsten commented on how the positive influence from judo coaches differs from the stereotypical hardened Scottish coach you may find in other sports: “Judo coaches almost seem to take a more laid-back approach, everyone I’ve come into contact with in judo has this ability to make me want to make them proud.”

Even though she was a novice to the sport, Kirsten’s competitive edge couldn’t be tamed “I have always been paralympic focused. Every sport I look at I ask myself, ‘Can I do this at a paralympic level?’ I was thinking how long could it take for me to be at a level where I can compete.”

Her unwavering self-belief was soon rewarded with a place in the Paralympic Pathway Programme with Team GB after some time in the Para Potential Programme, an initiative to develop the next generation of paralympic judoka. The idea of taking part in the Paralympic Games would be enough to leave any athlete feeling the pressure, thankfully Kirsten has enough on her plate to not get bogged down with nerves. “I’ve currently got three dogs, I’ve been taking part in dog shows and dog sports for 18 years and we go to Crufts (the Olympics of the dog world that takes place annually in the UK). It’s totally different from judo and allows me to switch off and focus on something else.”

Kirsten’s main focus for now is the European Championships in Rotterdam next month. Desperate to improve upon last year’s fourth-place finish and leave the Netherlands with a gold medal, a new training plan – integrating two very different sports- has been developed.

Starting pole training alongside rejoining an athletics club may not sound like the usual training routine, but the displays in her recent performances speak for themselves. “It’s made a big difference, the sprint training has made me feel much more in control of contests, like I can outlast my opponents and with pole training I’ve improved my flexibility, I’m moving my body better and I used to be heavy on my feet but now I can twist and roll a lot more.”

Her message to anyone thinking of taking up the sport is simple: “Try judo. Find a club, it’s just so good and I’m pretty sure anyone who tries it will stick to it. We’ve had a good few VI’s (visually impaired athletes) come through Tayside Judo, they turn up and don’t leave! ” she says, “It’s just great, I love judo. Everyone should do it, definitely, more schools should do it.”

With the backing of the JudoScotland community and her six dogs, Kirsten goes into the European Championships full of confidence knowing she found her true calling in judo, a sport that embraced her. Her athletic prowess, coinciding with positive coaches who helped hone her craft, has set Kirsten up for an incredibly exciting future in the sport.

JudoScotland is delighted to launch our new supporters shop in partnership with Macron Sports Hub Aberdeen. The online shop will allow Scottish judo fans to purchase a range of top-quality Macron training gear to wear whilst training off the mat or supporting our Judoka.

Macron works hard to create cutting-edge, high-performance sportswear to support athletes from grassroots to professionals in their efforts to become their own hero on and off the field of play. They strive to build a community that shares our passion for true sport and believe that high standards of good management, social responsibility and respect for the environment are the way to design the future.

We are pleased to share that as well as hosting our online merchandise shop, Macron Aberdeen have supplied the training tracksuits for the JudoScotland National Squad. The tracksuit will be worn by the team, off the mat, when representing Scotland at all competitions and camps.

You can shop the full range of JudoScotland training gear, compression underwear and accessories via our online shop here.

“Home or away, always stick by your team’s side. Because cheering is a matter of style too.”

Is there someone in your club that goes above and beyond? Is there a referee at events that goes the extra mile to help contribute to a positive experience? Do you know a volunteer in Judo that genuinely improves lives through their actions? Well now is your time to recognise them with the 2023 JudoScotland Coaching, Officiating, and Volunteering Awards!

The JudoScotland Coaching and Volunteering Awards are a National Awards programme designed to recognise the hard work and dedication of the Judo workforce in Scotland. The awards are presented in the Judo club, surrounded by those that have nominated the individual but are celebrated nationally.

Get your nomination in by Friday 1^st of September to show your appreciation!

Community Coach of the Year

This award will be made to a coach who has supported the development of judoka and has significantly increased the Judo opportunities available and participation levels within their community.

Disability Coach of the Year

This award will be made to a coach working with people with a disability. The award looks for evidence of a person-centred development leading to successful performance and/or sustained participation of those taking part.

Technical Official/Referee of the Year

This award recognises the hard work and dedication that technical officials and referees make to the competition structure in Judo.

Pathway Coach of the Year

This award will be made to a coach who has supported the development of judoka and has significantly increased the Judo opportunities available and achievement levels within their community.

Volunteer of the Year

This award will be made to a volunteer in a non-coaching role, aged 26 years or more (on 1 September 2022), who has made an outstanding contribution to their club, the wider judo community or to the development of judo.

Young Coach of the Year

This award will be made to a coach aged 25 years or younger (on 31 August 2023). This award looks for young people who have invested in their development as a coach and have made a significant impact on the people they coach. The club will be a better place for having them in the team.

Young Official Award of the Year

This award will be made to a Technical Official or Referee aged 25 years or younger (on 31 August 2023) and recognises the hard work and dedication that these roles make to the competition structure; providing fantastic opportunities and experiences in judo.

Young Volunteer Award of the Year

This award will be made to a volunteer in a non-coaching role, aged 25 years or under (on 31 August 2023) who has made an outstanding contribution to their club or the wider judo community.

Community Coach of the Year: Gregor Gardiner – Azami Falkirk

Young Coach of the Year: Charlie McLean – Irvine Judo Club

Disability Coach of the Year: Michele Strachan – Tams Brig Judo Club

Volunteer of the Year: Niall Allison – Orkney Judo Club

Technical Official/Referee of the Year: Andrew Swinburne – Carnegie Judo Club

Young Volunteer of the Year: Amy Staunton – Hamilton Judo Club

Young Official of the Year: Paige Sweetland – Jidel Judo 93

Pathway Coach of the Year: Andrew Malone – Hibari-Kan Judo Club

The Scottish judo community recently got behind Kavan Majidi, who trains with Edinburgh Judo Club, as he competed at the World Championship in Doha as a member of the IJF Refugee Team, however, the impact of Judo on the Refugee Community in Scotland goes much further.

The UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency, estimates that there are 32.5 million refugees worldwide as of mid-2022. In 2001, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan founded the Office on Sport for Development and Peace (SDP), advocating sport as having “an almost unmatched role to play in promoting understanding, healing wounds, mobilising support for social causes, and breaking down barriers”. Recognising that Judo can provide a positive release of energy for those that have suffered the trauma of war, three groups in the West of Scotland are providing opportunities to support the refugee community.

In North Ayrshire, The Loretta Doyle Foundation has started a 13-week programme designed to enrich the lives of 20 Iraqi refugee children and young adults who have been rehoused in the area by the Scottish Government and local authorities. Which will shortly be followed soon by another programme for Ukrainian refugees in the same proximity.

Not only does the class aim to help these new judokas achieve their first grade, it offers so much more. Bringing refugees into the judo family provides a sense of belonging and social connection that might overwise be missing in their new alien circumstances, away from their homeland.

World and European Judo Champion, Loretta explains the purpose of the foundation, “I’ve had a good life through Judo. I now want this Foundation to give to others what Judo has given to me… to share the benefits that Judo can provide with those who are disadvantaged in life for whatever reason their age, poverty, illness, physical or mental incapacity.”

Meanwhile, Clyde Judo Club will be hosting a 12-week programme to support refugees in Erskine, with the hope to expand in the surrounding areas. The project aims to integrate those taking part into the Judo community, helping them to find clubs in the local area when they are re-housed to provide a level of stability through Judo.

In Glasgow, Pro Judo is offering refugees in the area free Judo sessions at all their club venues, which they have been able to fund through their charitable arm Sporting Chances Alba. For the club, integrating with all communities in the areas run is just the norm, Stuart Mallan Pro Judo Trustee added: “We are operating as a club to provide a community resource, for us that just happens to be Judo.”

Through building relationships with local community groups, the club has been able to welcome seven refugees to participate in free judo sessions recreationally right through to participating on the JudoScotland Talent Development Squad and also supporting Kavan before he moved on to train in Edinburgh. Providing them with the support they need to participate in mainstream judo classes, Stuart added “Sporting Chances allows for us to go above and beyond for our members that need it.”. But it isn’t just the club, parents and club members have also gone above and beyond to support the most vulnerable members of their club, with one parent providing two bikes to young judoka who had no transport to get to their judo classes.

We know that these three groups are not the only clubs in Scotland living the Judo values through their community outreach work, if you have a story that you would like to share with us, please email info@judoscotland.com.

If you are a club looking to provide a similar opportunity but not sure where to start, contact a member of the JudoScotland Business Delivery Team on 0131 333 2981 or email info@judoscotland.com.

JudoScotland are delighted to add Shohei Ono to the already exciting lineup for The Gathering 2023!

Double Olympic Champion, three-time World Champion, Asian Games Champion, three-time All Japan Champion, five-time Grand Slam Champion and two-time Grand Prix Champion Shohei Ono will join Masashi Ebinuma and Kana (Abe) Ebinuma to deliver an exciting weekend of Judo.

After an excellent session at The Gathering 2022, we are pleased to welcome back three-time World Champion, Masashi Ebinuma and Two-time All Japan Champion Kana Ebinuma to The Gathering 2023! Shohei Ono will deliver a guest session sharing his immense skill set with the Scottish Judo community.

However, The Gathering isn’t just about what is happening on the mat. JudoScotland are pleased to welcome Dr Mike Callan who will be talking us through a history of judo in the UK, thinking about the lineage of Scottish clubs.

Booking is now open, book your space here.

Team JudoScotland had a fantastic day at the 2023 British National Team Championships. An excellent opportunity to compete as one team with some brilliant wins throughout the day, in a great show of camaraderie from the Scots. Finishing the day with six medals was just the cherry on top of a great day of competition.

The Cadet/Junior Girls’ Team secured a silver medal after an incredible day of competition. An exciting semi-final against the Midlands with a 3-2 win taking them into the final where they lost out in a 3-2 battle to NHC. It was a bronze for the Cadet/Junior Boys Teams who, after a strong day of competition lost out to NHC in the semi-final.

It was a bronze medal for the Pre-Cadet Girls Team, they made their way to the semi-finals following their pool win, however, after giving it their all they sadly lost out with a 3 – 2 loss. In another nail-biting semi-final, the Pre-Cadet Boys lost out to NHC in a 4-3 loss, securing the bronze medal after a fantastic day full of excellent matches.

The Senior Women also secured a bronze medal after a close 3-2 semi-final loss against London.  The Senior Men started the day with a 3 – 2 win against NHC, before moving through the pools to the semi-final where they eventually lost out 4-1 to the South to take home Bronze.

Congratulations to all our Scottish Judoka for a fantastic day of competition!

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

Hi Judo Community,

I’d like to start this month’s report with a huge congratulations to the Scottish Judo Community – clubs, coaches, members and families. I’m delighted to announce that JudoScotland membership has pushed through the 8,500 mark! This achievement is due to all of your hard work and commitment.  We’re exceeding our targeted growth rate and well on our way towards our new set of targets where we’re aiming to have over 10,000 members in the next 3 years.  Very well done and please keep up the good work!

A few more ‘well dones’ to hand out. Notably to Sean Allan, who won Gold at the Special Olympic Games in June in Berlin, and to Chris Murphy who retained his U81kg title at the Virtus Global Games in Vichy, France.

Also to Sarah Adlington who was inducted into the University of Edinburgh’s Sports Hall of Fame and to Paul Grady, winner of the Rob McPherson Volunteers Award at the Scottish Student Sports Awards, marking his commitment to supporting Student Judo.

From a personal perspective, I’m very pleased with the way the Board is developing. At the beginning of the month, we met up with Andrew Scoular, CEO of British Judo, to catch up on general business.

During June we held induction sessions for our 3 new Independent Directors. The session went very well and got excellent feedback.  Then, a few members of the Board, including myself, attended a workshop run by external consultants entitled ‘Building a Sustainable and Effective Board’.  Very interesting!  At the end of the month, we used Teams to run an Online Board Meeting which the Vice Presidents also attended.

Finally, in June we started the process of reviewing our gradings process – looking at ideas for upgrading and enhancing the offering, more on that to follow.

I’d like to wish everyone all the best over the summer. I hope you are getting a chance to have a break and relax!

Thanks

Marc

This Saturday, the British National Team Championships will return to the Walsall Sports Centre, The University of Wolverhampton for an exciting day of Judo. Arguably one of the most exciting events on the domestic schedule, the National Teams is one of the rare opportunities Judoka get to compete under the saltire.

50 Judoka from sixteen different Scottish Clubs will compete together across three teams, in an attempt to be named British National Team Champion!

JudoScotland Teams

Scottish Open Judo Tournament: 20^th & 21^st January 2024

Scottish Open Judo Training Camp: 22^nd – 24^th January 2024

The Scottish Open is back for 2024! On the 21st & 22nd of January 2024, the UK’s premier International Judo Tournament will return to the sportscotland National Centre Inverclyde. For the first time, the competition will be followed by a three-day training camp sponsored by RA Sneddon LTD.

The Scottish Open has historically attracted competitors from across the globe including Japan, USA, Germany, France and Sweden, providing an excellent international competition on home soil. This year we are excited to host a three-day camp as part of the competition which will offer participants an ideal preparation camp for the EJU and IJF calendar in 2024.

We are delighted that teams who have previously attended the Scottish Open have pledged their attendance for 2024 including a team from Sweden, Japan and across the Home Nations!

The Scottish Open 2024 Training Camp supported by RS Sneddon LTD

Castle Douglas Judo Club Judoka Sean Allan has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the Gold medal at the Berlin 2023 Special Olympics World Games.

The Special Olympics World Games are the world’s largest inclusive sports event. Thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities compete together in 26 sports. Nine days of exciting and inspiring competitions, by athletes and for athletes.

Sean was able to secure victory in both of his flights in under 10 seconds, an incredible achievement. Congratulations to Sean on this remarkable achievement. 

You can watch both fights below.

@judoscotlandCongratulations to Sean Allan on securing Gold at the Special Olympics World Games! An amazing achievement winning both fights in under 10 seconds! 🥇♬ original sound – JudoScotland