Lisa Allan Elected as First Female International Judo Federation General Secretary
Lisa Allan has been unanimously elected to the role of General Secretary of the International Judo Federation (IJF) at the IJF Congress in Doha. Lisa, from Edinburgh, has become the first woman and British person to hold this position. The role of IJF General Secretary is one of the highest positions in global judo and one which holds significant influence on the sport.
With a wealth of experience on the International Judo stage, Lisa has been involved in Judo since 1976 where she started at Tora Scotia Judo Club in Leith, Edinburgh. Since then, she has held several prestigious positions in Scottish sport, European and International Judo. As the Judo Manager for the organising committee for the Olympics and Paralympic Games in London 2012, Lisa oversaw the delivery of what is arguably the biggest Judo event in world sport. Lisa has held the position of Events Director at the International Judo Federation since 2013, managing and developing events on the IJF World Judo Tour. Since 2017, she has also held the position of Executive Committee Member where she has worked collaboratively to implement IJF activities within the framework of the IJF aims.
Dr Lisa Allan said, "I'm grateful to the British Judo Association and to UK Sport for having supported my candidature and I am thankful to all the voters from the national federations for the trust they put in me to become the new IJF General Secretary. I am happy to be able to continue the fantastic work undertaken by Jean-Luc Rougé in the past years."
The election for the position of General Secretary took place at the IJF Congress on 4th May 2023 in Doha.
News From the Chair
A Brief update from the Chair of some key events and recent news from April:
Hi Judo Community,
Starting with some good news and the fact that our very own Director, James McBeath, passed his IJF (A) Referee Award. I believe this makes James one of only 6 referees in Britain who are qualified to this level. I’ve worked with James for many years on the Board and can vouch that he thoroughly deserves the honour. Well Done!
And let’s hear it for Chris Murphy, who never disappoints! Chris has been selected for the Virtus Global Games that are being held in Vichy, France. As always, the whole of Scotland will be rooting for you Chris!
With sadder news, my thoughts turn to Donald Hughes who suddenly passed away this month. As a boy I regularly visited the club he ran during the 70s and 80s, and my thoughts go out to his family. A fine man.
At this point, I’d like to acknowledge that JudoScotland has appointed five new Talent Development Support Coaches. I believe that this is important for the future of JudoScotland and the development of our current programmes. I have no doubt they will be an absolute asset to our sport.
I’d also like to welcome Sarah Birrell, our new sportscotland Partnership Manager, whom I caught up with at last night’s Board Meeting. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more from Sarah in the coming months.
In other JudoScotland news, as in the previous year, a working group has continued to review our articles to improve our governance further and bring us in line with top organisations. This is a time-consuming and lengthy process, but I do feel that we are moving in the right direction.
The team is currently working on a provisional events/competition framework for 2024 which we aim to get out to you all as soon as it’s complete to allow you to organise your calendar. Doing it this far in advance will hopefully enable us to get venue availability spread more evenly throughout the year. We have been listening!
I look forward to seeing you all at the upcoming Grand Prix and Scottish All Star Championship this month.
Thanks
Marc
Three Scottish Judoka Selected for the Cadet European Championships 2023
Three Scottish Judoka have been selected to represent GB Judo at the Cadet European Championships taking place in Coimbra, Portugal from the 22nd – the 24th of June. The three Judoka Eva Ewing, Ross McWatt and Noah Black will join the team representing Great Britain.
Eva Ewing from Sportif will be competing in the 44kg category following her Silver Medal at the British Championships in December, she also placed 5th at the International Thuringia Cup and in the top 7 at the Cadet European Cup Fuengirola earlier this year. Ross McWatt from Garioch Judo Club will compete in the 60kg category after becoming Scottish National Closed Champion in November and taking Silver at the British Championship in December. He also placed 5th at the International Masters Bremen. Clyde Judo Clubs Noah Black will finish the Scottish line-up competing in the 90kg, following his three gold medals at the Scottish National Closed Championship, The British Championship and the Scottish Open. Internationally Noah placed 7th at the Spanish European Cup.
JudoScotland National Talent Development Coach, Gary Edwards added “It is always an honour to be selected to represent GB, it is an incredible experience for the three Judoka to compete on such a prestigious stage. The competition will provide an excellent development opportunity to help them grow as Judoka.”
Eva Ewing 44kg Sportif Judo
Ross McWatt 60kg Garioch
Noah Black 90kg Clyde Judo Club
UK Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport
Participants in grassroots sports will be better protected from the potentially devastating effects of head injuries and concussion thanks to new official guidelines advising: ‘if in doubt, sit them out’.
The Government and the Sport and Recreation Alliance have published the first UK-wide Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport which will help players, coaches, parents, schools, National Governing Bodies and sports administrators to identify, manage and prevent the issue.
The UK Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite (Grassroots) Sport can be viewed here.
The guidelines, developed by an expert panel of domestic and international clinicians and academics in neurology and sports medicine, sets out steps to improve understanding and awareness of the prevention and treatment of concussion in grassroots sport where trained medical professionals are less likely to be routinely present. It is targeted at people of all ages.
‘If in doubt, sit them out’ is the strapline, making clear no-one should return to sport within 24 hours of a suspected concussion and builds on guidance already introduced in Scotland.
Players, parents, coaches, teachers and administrators are now asked to read the guidance and familiarise themselves with the necessary steps to:
- RECOGNISE the signs of concussion;
- REMOVE anyone suspected of being concussed immediately and;
- RETURN safely to daily activity, education/work and, ultimately, sport.
Five New Talent Development Coaches To Join JudoScotland
JudoScotland is pleased to welcome five new Talent Development Support Coaches to the team. Alberto Borin, David Scobbie (Tayside Judo Club), Kirstin Gray (Destination Judo), Louise Renicks (Kanokwai Judo Club) and Reece Calder (Edinburgh Judo) will support National Talent Development Coach Gary Edwards to deliver the programme. They will support weekly TD sessions, squad training and identified competitions and camps, both domestically and internationally.
The quality of the applications and the high level of interest in these roles marks a positive future for the sport of Judo in Scotland. We are confident that our new Talent Development Support coaches will bring their level of expertise to develop technical/tactical, physical, and behavioural competencies in judoka, the three pillars of the Player Development Framework.
Gary Edwards, National Talent Development Coach said, "I am looking forward to working with our new Talent Development Support coaches, they bring with them an extensive and diverse level of experience, which can only benefit our young Judoka as they make their way through the TD pathway and beyond."
We would like to wish Alberto Borin, David Scobbie, Kirstin Gray, Louise Renicks and Reece Calder the best of luck in their new role.
Scottish Judoka Chris Murphy Prepares For the Virtus Global Games
This Summer, Judo will join the lineup for the first time at the 6th edition of the Virtus Global Games which takes place in Vichy-France from the 2nd – 11th of June. The Virtus Global Games are the world’s largest elite sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment. 1000 athletes from Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania will perform across 14 sports.
Scottish Judoka Chris Murphy from Shettleston Judo Club will join a team of 11 Judoka to represent GB at the Games this Summer. As current ID World Champion, Chris has made a strong return since the pandemic stopped competition, taking Gold at the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in 2022 his first post-pandemic competition. Ahead of the Games, we caught up with Chris to hear how he is getting on.
So, Chris, how are the preparations going for the Games?
“I am feeling good, my training is where it needs to be, my health is where it needs to be. I am just going through the usual prep for a competition. Using more technical ability and trying new things to see what works, see what doesn't work. And getting a Game plan in place.”
You Won Gold at the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in 2022, how has this set you up for the upcoming Global Games?
“The Games set me up well because I haven’t been able to compete due to the pandemic. It was a great opportunity to get rid of the ‘ring rust’ as I haven’t been able to do any international competitions. I will face some of the same competitors from the Oceania Asian Games but there will also be a lot more at the World Games.”
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
“Easily, The World Championships. It's so ironic because that was probably one day that I fought the worst I've ever fought. My first few fights were not all that great, a mix of nerves and the set-up, it felt like everything went wrong and I scrapped through my first few fights. Once the lighting set-up got sorted, I relaxed a bit more, settled into it a bit more and it took a little extra push of being caught for waza-ari by the Belgian player, that made me think I’ve got to snap out of this.”
For you what is the best thing about being involved in Judo?
"Judo opens up a whole new world. You get the possibility to meet amazing people, see cool things and meet icons and legends of the sport!”
As well as competing, Chris coaches at his Judo club, Shettleston Judo Club where he leads the adaptive sessions and he is also working towards becoming a referee, an area of the sport he hopes to progress in at a later date.
If you would like to support Chris and the GB Judo Adaptive Team, you can donate via their Just Giving page here. Alternatively, if you would like to sponsor Chris directly contact Shettleston Judo Club.
To find out more about the Virtus Global Games, click here.
We Are Hiring
There has never been a more exciting time to join JudoScotland. We are delighted to announce the creation of two new roles, Disability Development Officer and Digital Communications Officer, as part of our new strategic plan, Judo For All. Our plan reflects the ambitious direction of the organisation and has been developed following an in-depth consultation with our members and stakeholders to encapsulate our collective aims.
Vision
A Scottish Governing Body renowned for excellence, enabling people of all ages and abilities to realise their potential.
Mission
Maximise the contribution of judo to Scotland’s communities through the provision of safe, inclusive and inspiring clubs based on judo’s values.
Main Goals
- To grow an engaged, diverse membership
- To make a positive contribution to Scottish society
- Progressive, inclusive opportunities across all levels
- Scottish athlete success
- Corporate excellence
Disability Development Officer
Joining the dynamic Business Delivery Team, the Disability Development Officer will lead on delivering progressive and inclusive opportunities across all levels. Leading on the support and development of opportunities for people with disabilities to engage, progress and flourish in the sport of judo.
Digital Communications Officer
As part of the Business Support Team, the Digital Communications Officer will support the adoption of digital technology to improve organisational performance and enhance the membership experience. With an active role in the overall communications of the organisation, the Digital Communications Officer will have the ability to develop their skill set in CMS, email marketing, content creation and social media management.
Lisa Allan Nominated for IJF General Secretary
Lisa Allan Nominated for IJF General Secretary
Lisa Allan has been nominated for the role of General Secretary of the International Judo Federation (IJF). If elected by IJF member organisations, Lisa will become the first woman and first British person to hold this role.
With a wealth of experience on the International Judo stage, Lisa has been involved in Judo since 1976 where she started at Tora Scotia Judo Club in Leith, Edinburgh. Since then, she has held a number of prestigious positions with Scottish sports, European and International Judo. As the Judo Manager for the organising committee for the Olympics and Paralympic Games in London 2012, Lisa oversaw the delivery of what is arguably the biggest Judo event in world sport. Lisa has held the position of Events Director at the International Judo Federation since 2013, managing and developing events on the IJF World Judo Tour. Since 2017, she has also held the position of Executive Committee Member where she has worked collaboratively to implement IJF activities within the framework of the IJF aims.
On her nomination, Lisa added, “It would be an enormous honour for me to be elected as the next General Secretary and is something I would be totally committed to. I will listen to understand, the needs and desires of the National Federations so that I can help support their development I will ensure that the IJF continues to have the highest standards of transparency, democracy and integrity. I will work closely with my colleagues from across the IJF to ensure we continue to maintain our high standards and continue to promote fair play, openness, integrity and trust. More than anything I will l continue to nurture the judo values that are at the heart of our sport, and I will always be a positive ambassador for this sport that I love.”
The election for the position of General Secretary will take place at the IJF Congress on 4th May 2023. To read Lisa’s full manifesto click here.
Obituary: Donald Hughes
JudoScotland is saddened to hear of the passing of Donald Hughes, 5th Dan aged 90 years.
Donald was born in 1933 and started Judo at 29. Dedicating a lifetime to being active in Judo, he set up and ran a number of clubs, including the Etassakwai, Craiglockhart JC, Ainsley Park Leisure Centre JC, Leith Judokwai, Craiglockhart JC, and Drumbrae Leisure Centre JC.
Donald devoted over 60 years to his beloved judo and thousands of people experienced his judo coaching during his lifetime.
We extend our condolences to his own family and the huge judo family he knew over so many years.
Glasgow University Judo Club Celebrates 70 Years
This year Glasgow University Judo Club celebrates its 70th anniversary. Since its formation in 1953, the club has gone from strength to strength winning the British Universities Championships on 6 occasions and has produced medallists at Scottish, British, Commonwealth, and World levels.
Over the years the club has had a number of coaches including George Kerr, in the early 1970s George McQuillan took on the role and was the head coach for more than 30 years. David Peden very ably replaced George on his retiral and is still the current head coach.
The club has grown and developed over the years currently with more than 80 members, one of the Largest adult practices in the country.
To celebrate this anniversary, the club organised a training day inviting many of the old alumni back onto the mat for the first time in many years. followed by a Gala dinner and Ceilidh attended by over 100 members and former members. The day was deemed a great success by all who attended. We of course hope to build on the success of this celebration, so watch this space for news of our 75th anniversary.
1956 –57
1959
2023 70th Anniversary Training Day
