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Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion has been honoured with JudoScotland’s Club of the Year Award. This prestigious award is part of the JudoScotland Community Awards, a national initiative that recognises the hard work and commitment of judo volunteers across Scotland.   

The club originated in 2019 to provide tailored ASN and disability sessions for their members alongside the mainstream sessions held at Hamilton Judo Club.  

Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion have since provided sessions to over 6o individuals each week to benefit from both the mental and physical benefits of judo. Their dedicated coaches’ encourage participants to the Junior and Senior sessions whilst parents and carers are welcomed into a breakout area next door.  

The club has provided more than judo for its members, they have created a community for parents and carers to connect and share their experiences. Often helped with some tea and home baking, the club has built a community of support and understanding for everyone who walks through the door.  

Working in partnership with JudoScotland’s Judo Girls Rise initiative they created weekly Female-only sessions to help provide a safe and nurturing environment where women and girls can develop their judo skills whether they are complete novices or seasoned judoka. As the classes have continued to grow Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion have encouraged two of their female volunteers onto the coaching pathway and they have both recently achieved their Level 1 coaching qualification, creating more opportunities for participation within the club.  

In 2024 the club created their Inclusion Development Programme, which runs twice a week at Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre, targeting individuals in the community who most often find barriers to sports participation. The programme runs in partnership with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, Active Schools and South Lanarkshire Disability Sport 

John D’Ambrosio, Head of Coaching and Development at Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion spoke about their plans going forward and how they want to continue to support members of their community:  

“We’re always looking to add different parts to the club. We’re doing a lot of work in the social care space, we’re working with schools, and we’re hoping to do some safe falling workshops. Pushing into 2026, we’ll continue what we’re doing and hopefully do a bit more. We’re always looking to see who might need us, who could benefit from judo so we’ll wait and see, hopefully we can add in a few more things.” 

Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion won a trio of awards during the 2025 JudoScotland Community Awards with coach Antony Martin winning Disability Coach of the Year and Simone Hamill winning Volunteer of the Year. Reflecting on the club’s success John said:  

“I think it’s a fantastic achievement for us. I believe our volunteers and our young coaches are some of the best. They give up their time to come here, and they just enjoy what they do and they give a lot back. I think they deserve everything.  

“These awards show the value that we’ve put into the club. The way we run the club and the family environment we’ve created. This award validates what we do so it means we’re going down the right way of doing things. For us it’s a great way to showcase all the volunteers and coaches who have put the hard work in over the years to give something back to them to be seen by the edge of Scotland. 

Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion were presented their award by JudoScotland Disability Development Officer Stephen Somerville earlier this month.  

Claire Shiach a dedicated coach at ProJudo, has been honoured with JudoScotland’s Player Development Coach of the Year Award. This prestigious award is part of the JudoScotland Community Awards, a national initiative that recognises the hard work and commitment of judo volunteers across Scotland.   

This award is presented to a coach who has made an outstanding contribution to long-term athlete development aligned with the JudoScotland Player Development Framework.   

As a Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medallist herself, Claire brings not only elite-level experience but also a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at a high level to all the judoka she coaches.  

At ProJudo, Claire delivers weekly sessions which are technically detailed to ensure that each judoka is being challenged both physically and mentally throughout the sessions.  

With multiple judoka from ProJudo having also made their way onto National Squads and competing internationally, Claire shared how coaching has impacted her life: 

“I love all the kids coming along and seeing the difference from when they were tiny babies and now, they’re all taller than me, stronger than me, faster than me and can throw harder than me. It just brings me a lot of joy when they come in. They bring that energy, they show up, they work hard, and really that’s what I get out of it. Watching them enjoy judo.”  

Claire leads a structured Strength & Conditioning (S&C) programme at ProJudo, delivered within the JudoScotland framework, which supports athletes’ physical development alongside their technical and tactical progression. While simultaneously promoting the judo moral code, she is helping athletes to grow into confident individuals both on and off the mat.  

Claire explains that finding that balance between being challenging and caring as a coach is key to ensure athlete success:  

“I have a hard exterior that keeps them in line, but I’ve got a big soft heart inside because I love them all. I push them and challenge them, but I keep them safe as well. They absolutely love the challenge, so I really have to hold them back.” 

“I find it quite easy to find the balance of keeping them, in the right place, at the right time, because I know as a high-performance S&C coach what’s right for them. I know when to say, “You can take that extra bit of weight ” or I say, “No – your form’s a bit off”, I can keep them safe and challenge them at the same time.” 

Providing a large range of opportunities at the club from training camps to regional competitions to bespoke development days, Claire actively encourages judoka to push their boundaries and exposes them to high-performance environments that accelerate their growth. 

Reflecting on what winning the award means for her as a coach, Claire said:  

“It was an absolute surprise. But when I started to think about it, I thought it was really nice to have this particular award, the Player Development Coach of the Year, because that’s what I do. It’s what it says on the award itself, and I’ve done it all my life and I love it, and I don’t do it for any other reason than the joy that the kids bring me, the energy, I absolutely love it, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop doing it until I can’t.” 

Claire was presented his award at ProJudo by JudoScotland CEO Judith McCleary and JudoScotland Chair Marc Preston, on Tuesday 14th October. 

Gary Muirhead, a dedicated member of Cluarankwai Judo Club, has been honoured with JudoScotland’s Club Coach of the Year Award. This prestigious award is part of the JudoScotland Community Awards, a national initiative that recognises the hard work and commitment of judo volunteers across Scotland.   

Having dabbled in judo as a child Gary spent decades away from the sport until his son Adam expressed an interest in joining the local club. After watching from the side of the mat for a year, Gary took the leap to get back into judo, and he hasn’t looked back since.  

After being encouraged to join a coaching course years ago by club members Gary can now be found at the club regularly leading upwards of 6 sessions a week for Juniors and Seniors and has become a pillar in the club community. 

Gary has been described as one of the cornerstones of the club, often stepping in when other coaches are injured and is constantly looking for innovative and fun games to play during sessions to link in with judo techniques they are working on.  

Speaking about what coaching means to him, Gary said:  

“The main thing I get out of coaching is seeing the children come through the club, from juniors into seniors and seeing them grow in confidence. For a lot of people, it’s a big thing to step into that senior environment, but we just encourage them and bring them along and you can see a real difference in them.” 

Gary champions inclusion, often finding ways to support families financially who may be struggling to attend events or competitions. He has helped to ensure a positive reputation of the club in the community, often holding open days at the dojo and school taster sessions with local primary schools to showcase the benefits of participating in judo.  

Members at Cluarankwai Judo Club had nothing but the highest praise for Gary as he was presented with his award during a training session this week emphasising his dedication to creating a welcoming environment at the club. One parent said:   

“My children have not only learned judo techniques but have also gained confidence, focus, and a real love for the sport thanks to his patient, clear, and encouraging coaching style. The atmosphere at Cluarankwai is one of belonging, and that is because of Gary’s leadership and values. 

“It’s clear to me that Gary sees coaching not just as a sport, but as a way to build life skills and community. His impact has been both personal and far-reaching, and I believe he is truly deserving of this recognition.” 

Another parent credits Gary for them stepping onto the mat: “He is the reason I took up Judo 2 years ago at age 39. I attended the club with my daughter and after joking it was too late for me, he told me how he restarted his journey at a similar age and it inspired me to take up the sport.” 

Following his award presentation Gary reflected: “I can’t believe I won this award. Maybe you don’t realise what you’re doing and how people are looking at you, but for me I just go on the mat, and just switch on to coaching mode.  

We have a good team here that work really well together and we have a lot of good families as well and that’s what makes the club what it is.” 

Gary was presented his award at Cluarankwai Judo Club by JudoScotland Club Support Officer, Sam Ingram on Monday 13th October.  

Antony Martin a dedicated member of Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion, has been honoured with JudoScotland’s Disability Coach of the Year Award. This prestigious award is part of the JudoScotland Community Awards, a national initiative that recognises the hard work and commitment of judo volunteers across Scotland.   

Judo has always played a large role in Anthony’s life as he first stepped on the mat 17 years ago during a judo taster session at his primary school. It wasn’t long before he joined Hamilton Judo Club and was a regular down at the club and competing in judo competitions across the country.  

Antony has started to take a step back from judo and was contemplating giving the sport up completely just as the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Having some time away from judo during lockdown helped Antony to decide his next step. The perfect opportunity presented itself when one of his old coaches approached him to get involved with coaching disability sessions with the launch of Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion.  

Reflecting on his coaching journey, Antony said: “It was actually a strange thing for me because I was starting to fall out of love with judo and I was starting to lose a bit of interest in it and then the coaching actually is what brought me back.  

“Once the disability sessions started, I just fell back in love with it, getting to see the kids progress and come to class smiling and even seeing the parents have a break, and seeing them relax a bit is amazing. That’s what’s mainly in it for me, seeing the positive impact on other people.” 

A Level 2 Coach, Antony currently leads both Junior and Senior Disability/Additional Support Needs (ASN) sessions at Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion, earning praise for his strong communication and his ability to adapt his coaching style to meet the needs of each judoka. 

Club members shared that Antony approaches his sessions with patience, empathy, and a genuine willingness to learn and be inclusive. Antony has successfully built trust and rapport with his students by showing empathy and a deep understanding of their individual experiences and challenges.  

Antony doesn’t think twice about changing his coaching approach, training methods or even making adaptations to the training environment to ensure that every person who comes to the club can be accommodated and take part in judo.  

His enthusiasm is infectious and inspires students to push beyond their perceived limits. By embodying these qualities, Antony fosters a positive environment for individuals with disabilities, empowering them to thrive and achieve their full potential. 

Anthony shared why he feels it’s important to break down barriers to participation and create a safe space where everybody can thrive while being physically active. 

“I think judo is such a good sport. It breaks down social barriers because you’re having to be in close contact with people. I’ve seen kids come in who refuse to be within two feet of somebody else and they’ll hit and scratch but then after some time you see them turning into judo players, they’re throwing and doing randori. 

“It’s brilliant to see wee groups forming and they’re becoming pals and they’ll talk in school, and it grows their confidence a bit more too.” 

Antony has also built strong relationships with young volunteers in the club who assist him in delivering sessions and he encourages them to explore their future potential as coaches or young leaders in the club. 

Reflecting on his award, Antony shared: “I’m really honoured, I didn’t get into this for awards so it’s nice to get acknowledged for what you do, because it’s not something that crosses your mind when you’re coaching. You don’t think “I want an award, I’m doing this for awards” so it is nice to be recognised for just something that I do every week.” 

Antony was presented his award at Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion by JudoScotland Disability Development Officer Stephen Somerville on Thursday 9th October.  

Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is set to be one of the most spectacular events of the decade, as the full sport competition schedule was revealed today.

The 23rd edition of the Games will host the largest-ever Para sport programme at a Commonwealth Games and welcome 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories between 23rd July and 2nd August. Over 10 days and 133 sessions of sport — including more than 50 medal sessions — the city will come alive with exhilarating competition and unforgettable moments of sporting drama.

Boasting the largest ever Swimming and Para Swimming, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, and 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball competitions in Commonwealth history, 215 gold medals will be up for grabs across 10 sports and six Para sports. With such a packed programme, Glasgow 2026 is promising an altogether brilliant celebration of the very best of world-class sport.

From thrilling finals to historic moments, the competition schedule reveals when and where the action will unfold across four of the city’s iconic venues—helping fans plan their perfect Games experience, at one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar next summer.

The Judo event programme will take place on the final weekend from Friday 31st July to Sunday 2nd August, with a high chance that the final medal of the Games will be presented to a judoka.

Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026 said: “The announcement of the full sport schedule brings to life the huge scale of competition planned for Glasgow 2026. With 215 medals across over 130 sessions in incredible venues across the city, these Games will showcase the very best in global sport. With some of the biggest names set to compete, we have an exhilarating and exciting sport programme, guaranteed to make history next summer.

“With our Glasgow and Scotland ticket pre-sales next week, we’re expecting huge demand and there is only 48hrs left to register for your front row seat. The full public on sale will then take place on 30th October 2025 and I know we’ll see incredible crowds across all of our venues for the full ten-day competition with an atmosphere that will be electric. Don’t miss your chance to be at the heart of the action, we are giving fans a simple message … register for one of our exclusive pre-sales by 23:59 on Thursday 16th October to be the first in line for the biggest sporting event in the UK in 2026.”

A full copy of the sport competition schedule can be found here alongside an overview of the sports per venue which includes:

• Scotstoun Stadium – Athletics and Para Athletics
• Tollcross International Swimming Centre – Swimming and Para Swimming
• Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Arena – Artistic Gymnastics, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling
• The Scottish Event Campus (SEC):
  • The Hydro – Netball
  • SEC Armadillo – Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting
  • SEC Centre – Bowls and Para Bowls, Boxing, Judo and 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball

Tickets for Glasgow 2026 go on sale in just one week’s time with anyone registered with Glasgow 2026 and has a G-postcode accessing the exclusive pre-sale at 12 noon on 21st October. Scotland residents registered with Glasgow 2026 will access their exclusive pre-sale at 12 noon on 24th October with UK and international fans on the Glasgow 2026 database accessing tickets from 12 noon on 27th October. Tickets will go on general release at 12 noon on Thursday 30th October.

As our next cohort of Kaizen Academy coaches prepares to embark on their journey to Japan with a group of Scottish Judoka, we caught up with some of last year’s participants to reflect on their experience and explore how it has shaped their coaching since returning from the spiritual home of judo. 

The Kaizen Academy is a professional development programme designed for coaches looking to expand their coaching skill-set, offering bespoke opportunities to enhance skills, knowledge and experiences through a series of workshops and opportunities, overlooked by expert coach developers, including the legendary Neil Adams. 

Stuart Mallen from Pro Judo shared his thoughts on joining the Academy: “When I first signed up for the Kaizen Academy, it was really about the chance to learn from experienced coaches, especially Neil Adams. As a kid, I was a huge fan of Neil, so when I saw the opportunity, even after coaching for over 20 years, it felt like something I just couldn’t pass up. The chance to learn directly from him, plus all the CPD opportunities throughout the year, was incredibly appealing.” 

Reflecting on the trip to Japan, Stuart added: 

“One particular highlight for me was a kids’ session we did at the Kōdōkan. It was just basic judo, no international athletes or anything like that, but watching the Kōdōkan coaches work with the children was amazing. They were teaching fundamentals, almost like kata, to kids who were only six or seven years old. It was beautiful to see how much the kids enjoyed it and how thoughtfully the coaches developed the sessions.” 

“Visiting the different schools was also eye-opening. Seeing how they structured their lessons and classes, and the overall attitude of judoka in Japan, was inspiring. Culturally, being at the Kōdōkan and taking part in sessions led by high-grade coaches was incredible. They walked us through footwork, hand positioning, and various techniques, it was genuinely special.” 

“What I’ve brought back to my own dojo is a renewed focus on the fundamentals. I think a lot of people would say the same. It’s the basic foot movements, gripping patterns, and how you incorporate those into your classes.” 

Scott Duff from Whitburn Judo Club also shared his reflections: 

“The whole experience was fantastic, and I’d absolutely encourage anyone to take part. What really stood out was the attention to detail, just observing and trying to bring those small elements into my own coaching. Watching how they teach judo to younger kids was especially inspiring. I’ve been working on introducing that approach, starting with the new class and gradually bringing it into the middle class, where we can begin to implement some of the more technical aspects.” 

“A year on, that’s still the big focus, refining those little bits and pieces and making sure they’re embedded in our sessions. It’s about taking what we learned and really applying it in a meaningful way.” 

John Goldie from Pro Judo, highlighted the impact of visiting Japanese high schools: “One of the standout moments was visiting the high schools. The level of discipline and the calibre of players was incredible, former and current world champions, junior, cadet, and senior athletes all training together on the same mat. It was inspiring to see that kind of environment.” 

“What really struck me was how their coaching and instruction methods differ from ours. There’s a strong emphasis on developing mental toughness ahead of tournaments, and the way they support each other is something special. Watching their technical ability and the way they train was brilliant.” 

“The trip was so inspiring that I’ve decided to go back again this year.” 

As the next cohort arrives in Japan this week, we look forward to seeing how their journey unfolds. Keep an eye on our social media channels to follow their experience! 

Simone Hamill, a dedicated member of Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion, has been honoured with JudoScotland’s Volunteer of the Year Award. This prestigious award is part of the JudoScotland Community Awards, a national initiative that recognises the hard work and commitment of judo volunteers across Scotland.   

Simone picked up her award for the impact she has made in the club as their secretary and more recently her work in the female engagement and adaptive judo space as a coach.  

After stepping away from judo in her youth Simone decided to get back onto the mat after her son started at the judo club and her spark for judo was reignited. Speaking about what judo means to her, Simone said: 

“Probably 10 years ago I didn’t go anywhere, I didn’t socialise with anybody, I suffered really badly with anxiety and now I’m never in the house, I’m always out doing something, going somewhere so it’s totally changed my life.  

“It’s gone from something that I did when I was younger that I still always spoke about to being my whole life. Half past ten at night I’m printing certificates for people and I’m thinking about what’s coming the next day and planning and organising it. I just love it!” 

During the club’s disability sessions, Simone provides essential support and encouragement to all members and helps to create a positive and welcoming environment for everyone. Alongside the sessions, there is a dedicated space for carers and parents to relax and socialise and this has helped to create a supportive community within the club off the mat.  

Simone also regularly attends the ASN (Additional Support Needs) units at local primary schools, assisting with the delivery of sessions. Her volunteer work helps to creates valuable opportunities for disabled adults and young people across South Lanarkshire to engage in sport, promoting improved physical and mental wellbeing. 

Helping with the sessions was incredibly rewarding but Simone wanted to give even more back to the judo community. Part of her inspiration behind getting involved in coaching stemmed from her own experience of stepping back on the mat and the feelings of uncertainty that came with it. She noticed that there was a hesitance from young girls and women to join the club and knew she wanted to help tackle this.   

“Being an adult woman coming back onto a judo mat, and to be the only female in the class, is a very intimidating place to be.

“I knew that if I could work really hard and get my Coaching Level One, that I could provide a space for women where they didn’t have to feel how I felt my first night back. They could come in, they could see women all different shapes and sizes, all different levels of ability, fitness, and they could just get involved and feel comfortable doing it rather than having that anxiety that I experienced.” 

It is not only Simone’s dedication as a coach which earned her this national accolade but also her commitment to governance as the club secretary. She played an instrumental role in the club obtaining JudoMARK status, the JudoScotland club accreditation scheme which ensures clubs maintain the highest standards of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, People Development, Club Management and Governance. She plays an instrumental role in securing additional funding for the club through various grants and trusts to support members. 

Reflecting on her award, Simone shared: “I felt really honoured to receive this award. I couldn’t believe that I had won it. I know first-hand the hard work and the amazing volunteers that are across the judo community as a whole so for me to be picked out of all of them, I’m incredibly grateful.” 

Simone was presented her award at Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion by JudoScotland CEO Judith McCleary and Scottish Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart on Tuesday 7th October as part of a visit to celebrate Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week. 

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

September was an extremely busy period for JudoScotland, and one of the most productive months in recent memory, with many goals being set and achieved. 

We kicked off the month with a bang by launching our new Mon Grade enhancements, designed to enrich and elevate the grading experience for young judoka. The response so far has been incredibly positive, and I’m really looking forward to hearing more from our members about how these updates are helping to make gradings even more meaningful and enjoyable. 

On the 3rd of the month I flew down to Walsall in my capacity as Home Nations Representative on the British Judo Board.   As always, there was a huge agenda to get through, and we had a productive session. 

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our Candidate Directors’ Online Q&A Session due to lack of interest.  This is something that we will persevere with and will try and boost attendance.  Could I ask all clubs to look out for this in the future.  It would be brilliant if you could join in. 

This year’s Gathering on 13th and 14th September was an incredible experience: a new venue, new set-up and one of the absolutely best players in the world, Tato Grigalashvili, 3 times World Champion, in attendance.   From a personal point of view, I found the mat time to be of the highest quality.  Tato delivered sensational sessions with a level of judo that you rarely ever see.  It was mindblowing!   I’d like to personally thank the JudoScotland team for delivering such an excellent weekend. 

On 21st September, special thanks to Neil Adams for delivering the 2025 Competition Rules Course and hosting a special seminar for our Kaizen Academy coaches.  Neil and Nikki have always gone above and beyond with our organisation and over the years we have forged a very strong connection.  

As you’ll all be aware, Alberto Borin has joined JudoScotland and is now part of the team with Gary Edwards and Taka Kitahara.  On 23rd September, they put together a camp for Scottish Judoka where we were delighted to welcome along Uta Abe, 5 times world champion.  Another exceptional coup for us! 

The camp was a fantastic opportunity to set expectations for the performance programme, reinforcing key behaviours both on and off the mat. It was inspiring to see judoka dining together, socialising, and training side by side, building not just skills, but a strong sense of team spirit and camaraderie.  We were delighted to be able to work in partnership with Lost Shore who hosted, not only our special guests but our athletes in their accommodation pods right next door to our training centre. We’re really excited that we’ve been able to offer such sensational sessions to our up and coming stars!    Again, a personal thank you to Uta for choosing to come to Scotland to showcase her talent .  She was well looked after and I also believe that our Scottish hospitality was exceptional.   Special thanks go to Lee McGrorty and Stuart McIntyre for taking her around on a falconry day.  

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank RA Sneddon who subsidised the camp and has helped to provide this opportunity to our judoka. 

Unfortunately I was unable to make the MacMillan Coffee Morning at Ratho on 25th due to prior commitments, but Judith brought me up to date with another excellent day and opportunity for our members both to get together  – and to make a difference. 

We rolled on to our AGM, on 28th September, which was, for the first time, a hybrid between online and personal attendance.  We did have a couple of technical hiccups but we will look at this and sort it going forward.  I think it is extremely important we give everyone the opportunity of a platform and I believe this is moving our organisation forward for the future.  Giving our members a voice. 

Thank you to everyone who attended, from our President and Vice President to our clubs.  Unfortunately, Rick Kenney, as you may well be aware, took an unfortunate fall whilst at his grand-daughter’s graduation.  Rick sent his apologies.   Get better soon!    There was a great and varied amount of conversation and some really good topics brought to the table – which we will look to understand going forward and to action.   

I would like to thank Iain Feenan and Richard Marsh for putting their names forward for the role of Director.  It was an extremely close, split vote.  And, with this in mind, I asked the Board to individually put forward their preferred candidate.   Again, this was incredibly close.  I would like to congratulate Richard Marsh who was duly appointed as Director at the AGM.   

I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Joe Harris on his outstanding achievements in his recent Dan grade promotions. His promotion to 6th Dan is a symbol of not only technical expertise but also a deep commitment to the art and spirit of judo. Thank you to Rick Kenney who presented Joe with his promotion at Joe McKay Centre in Bellshill earlier in the month. 

And finally, I would like to finish September’s Update by congratulating all of our 2025 Community Award Winners.  I believe that you all really make a difference.  Well done! 

Shape the Future of Judo in Scotland!

JudoScotland is excited to announce an opportunity to join our team as a Club Support Officer, a pivotal role designed to empower judo clubs across Scotland to thrive and grow. As part of our  Business Delivery Team, you’ll work directly with member clubs to deliver tailored support and develop innovative, inclusive initiatives that attract and retain members, while supporting clubs to ensure ‘Three Steps Safe’ standards.

This role is central to our strategic vision, ‘Judo For All’, which aims to maximise judo’s contribution to Scottish communities by fostering safe, inspiring, and inclusive clubs rooted in judo’s core values. Whether helping clubs expand their reach or supporting them in creating meaningful community impact, you’ll be at the heart of shaping a vibrant future for judo in Scotland.

Following his recent trip to the Skopje Senior European Cup where he supported JudoScotland judoka in the capacity as coach, we caught up with Stuart McWatt to hear about his evolving journey from elite athlete to coach, supported by the UK Sport “Athlete to Coach” programme. This opportunity reflects JudoScotland and The British Judo Association’s commitment to support Stuart’s transition from player to coach, offering valuable mentoring and coaching opportunities to aid his development.  

Former European Cup and European Open Medallist, Stuart McWatt, has been steadily transitioning into the role as coach. Stuart shared, “The Athlete to Coach Programme has helped a lot with the shift mentally from being an athlete and becoming a coach. I would say it’s been a gradual change but meeting with other people in my position, athlete mentors and doing more coaching has eased this transition. Hearing and speaking about other athletes coaching journeys you can see similarities and differences.” 

Letting go of his identity as an athlete was one of the toughest parts of the journey. 

“The most challenging part for myself was letting go of being an athlete and accepting the next stage of life and that was me becoming a coach. I had a lot of support from Lifestyle advisors to coaches and family. Now the Athlete to coach Programme gives me an opportunity to share this experience with others in the same position and ways to work through it and excel being a coach.” 

One of the key areas Stuart has focused on is building relationships with athletes, something he says has fundamentally changed since stepping into a coaching role. 

“During the Athlete to Coach Programme a big area I’ve connected with is building relationships with athletes and that shapes how you work together. It’s different from when it was peer to peer. Having the tools to have these conversations now makes it easier to develop this with players and begin to build that trust between Coach and athlete.” 

His experience as a competitor has also given him a unique perspective in coaching. 

“As a former high level Judo player, I understand the competitive scene well and how the other players think. So, it allowed me to work with the Scottish players to design game plans for their opponents and hopefully they can go out to perform to the best of their ability. I understand the nerves, and pressure they all feel on comp so, I can offer advice on how to work with that.” 

If you’d like to learn more about the UK Sport Athlete to Coach programme, you can read about its launch here.