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Achieve Programme Participants stand in a Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Frame

Scottish Judoka Reflect on Achieve Programme at Birmingham 2022

It’s been nearly two months since Team Scotland Judoka took to the Tatami at Coventry Arena for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, however, it wasn’t just these 11 Judoka representing Scottish Judo at the Games. Along with volunteers and games officials, three young Scottish Judoka, Sunny Doig, Gregor Miller and David Scobbie, headed to Birmingham to take part in Team Scotland’s Achieve Programme.

The Programme is designed to give up-and-coming athletes and coaches a multi-games experience. First run in 2010, when 45 young athletes and coaches travelled to the Delhi Commonwealth Games, this year’s programme saw 66 athletes and coaches take part. The programme split into smaller groups where they got to watch a selection of sports as well as take part in workshops and talks at Scotland House to inspire and help them to progress.

David Scobbie, Coach at Tayside Judo Club, reflecting on the experience said, “The whole time we were there we were drowning in information, but it was fantastic! It didn’t all soak in at the time, but I can look back now on what I learnt while I was there. There were also lots of little lessons you picked up from osmosis from being in great company.”

“I got the opportunity to network with other coaches at the same level but in other sports and hear their fresh takes on ideas and compare where judo is, in relation to other sports.”

Sunny Doig, from Just Judo, added, “I really enjoyed talking to people from other high-performing sports and learning about how to deal with pressure. There was lots of advice given from both mentors and other athletes and coaches on the programme. Moving forward I am going to use what I have learnt about handling stress on competition day to improve my performance and make the experience more enjoyable. I will also try and share my experience on the achieve programme with younger athletes in the sport.”

“The achieve programme would not have been possible without the help from the mentors. They are a very valuable part of the experience and I really enjoyed working with them.”

If you would like to find out more about the Team Scotland Achieve Programme click here.

by Rosanna Wood

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

JudoScotland is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

As a huge supporter of sport, her presence will be greatly missed in the judo community across the Commonwealth and the rest of the world.

Update 9th September 2022:

JudoScotland joins the wider judo and sporting family in sending our heartfelt sympathy to the Royal Family following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

In respectful acknowledgement of the Queen’s passing, participants at The Scottish Masters Judo Session this Sunday will be asked to observe a two-minute silence at 2 pm, and a decision has been taken to cancel the MacMillan Coffee Morning which was scheduled for Thursday 15^th September.

During the National Mourning period, club activities are at the discretion of individual clubs. We advise clubs to read official guidance from the Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-demise-of-her-majesty-queen-elizabeth-ii-national-mourning-guidance and to make judgements based on what is right for their club, members and local community.

Should members or clubs wish to seek any additional guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Update 14th September Office Closure for Her Majesty's Funeral

Following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, the JudoScotland office will be closed on the day of her funeral (Monday 19th September) as a mark of respect.
The EICA, the building where the JudoScotland office and National Training Centre are based, will also be closed.The office will reopen on Tuesday 20th September at 9 am.

by Rosanna Wood

Introducing the JudoScotland Player Development Framework

Working with key partners in sport, JudoScotland is pleased to launch the Player Development Framework. As the first part of the exciting and ever-developing Blueprint for Judo in Scotland, the framework is designed to turn fun physical activity into sport for life.

The purpose of the framework is to support coaches and individuals to achieve their potential within Judo and develop vital skills, not just for sport, but for life. Designed as guidelines rather than tramlines, The Player Development Framework is available for everyone to access and utilise.

National High Performance Coach for Judo, Euan Burton discussed the need for the framework, “The framework is a guide to support those involved in the development of judoka and I am hopeful that it can be a reference point that can be continuously returned to for guidance, support and promoting discussion. It will always require judoka and coaches to bring it to life and I am eager to see how this happens following the launch.”

“A huge thank you to the many partners who have inputted to, shaped and scrutinised the framework to allow it to get to this point.”

Head of Business Delivery at JudoScotland, Tony Penfold added “Never before have JudoScotland been so clear and concise about what we believe contributes to the appropriate development of judoka. I am looking forward to the discussions that follow to help us continue to align our programmes and initiatives to better support coaches, clubs, parents and members to fulfil all our potential”

If you would like to make the most of the Player Development Framework, including video guidance on some of the key elements, click the button below.

Access The Player Development Framework

by Rosanna Wood

Annual General Meeting 2022 and Board Nominations

The JudoScotland annual general meeting (AGM) 2022, will take place on Saturday 29^th October 2022.

Nominations

In advance of this year’s AGM and in line with the current Articles of Association (the Articles), we hereby give notice that nominations will be sought for the following positions:

Chair of the Board and;
Two (2) Non-Executive Directors.

Please find a job description and person specification for the above position(s). This should provide prospective candidates with relevant background information on the roles currently available.

Chair of the Board Job DescriptionNon-Executive Director Job Description

Nomination Process

In terms of the nomination procedure:

Nominations for any position on the Board must be received in the Company office no less than thirty days prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM). For the avoidance of doubt, all nominations should be received by 1630 hours on Thursday 29 September 2022;
Each nomination should be supported and endorsed by two JudoScotland Member Clubs and;
Each individual nomination should take the form of a ‘pen portrait’ of the candidate.

Please note that the above position(s) are not suitable for anyone disqualified from holding a Directorship in a Limited Company.

Pen Portrait Submission

In previous years, we have been asked for broad guidance around the submission of the ‘pen portrait’ for aspirant members of the Board. To look towards ensuring uniformity and equality, we would appreciate that any submitted ‘pen portraits’ do not exceed two (2) pages of A4 paper in length.

Aspirant Board members can submit a document of their own design, or alternatively, we have supplied a pro-forma template that individuals may wish to utilise and submit:

Chair of the BoardNon-Executive Director

All nomination forms received that meet the requirements of the Articles will be issued to member Clubs as part of the formal notice of the AGM, to be sent at least fourteen days prior to the date of the AGM.

by Rosanna Wood

News From the Chair

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

Hi Judo Community,

Some exciting news as we are now moving into a different period for JudoScotland.

Currently, our main focus is the development of our Strategic Plan for the next 4 years. The process is already well underway, with a survey having been sent out to all members. This was followed up by an online consultation session with members of the judo community. I would like to thank you for the incredible response we have had. Thanks to all of those who took part. A special mention to Keira Ansell, Shishi Kai Club who, to the best of my knowledge, and at the age of 11, is the youngest JudoScotland member to have participated in such a conversation. Keira contributed some valuable – and well-thought-through - ideas and suggestions. Thank you, Keira.

During our recent Board of Directors meeting on 23^rd August, we welcomed our new, Independent Director, Jodie Cox. She is a dual-qualified solicitor with experience in sports litigation – and her current role is Legal Case Manager at the International Tennis Integrity Agency. Her skills are a valuable addition to the Board and she has already added value in helping us put together our new, proposed Articles. Thanks Jodie.

Another piece of good news. I would also like to announce that the Board of Directors wanted to mark the significant contribution that both Ronnie Saez and Tam Brown have made to Scottish Judo. Lifetime membership for each of them was approved this August in recognition of the great amounts of hard work and dedication they have shown over the years to our sport. Well done both – much deserved!

Thanks also go to Andy Ramage, member of the Scottish Judo Community. During the Edinburgh Festival, he kindly invited a group of ‘auld judoka’ from JudoScotland and British Judo to his Japanese Restaurant just off the Pleasance and provided us with fantastic hospitality. Andy is closing this much-loved venue down, after many years, and we wish him and his family all the best for the future.

And finally, as the new academic year gets underway our numbers are continuing to grow – with membership back to 91% of pre-covid levels. I would like to congratulate our coaches, clubs and JudoScotland staff for their efforts in developing our sport and increasing membership. Judith, myself and the JudoScotland team are all looking forward to spending the day with many of you at The Scottish All Stars Championship this Sunday at Ravenscraig. I will let you know how it all goes in next month’s report.

Marc Preston

JudoScotland Chair

by Rosanna Wood

JudoScotland Appoints New Independent Director

JudoScotland is pleased to announce that Jodie Cox will be joining the Board as an independent director.

As Legal Case Manager at the International Tennis Integrity Agency, Jodie brings a wealth of knowledge to the legal and governance side of JudoScotland Board Activity. A keen sportswoman and sports volunteer herself, she also brings expertise in anti-corruption, disciplinary procedures, and anti-doping. Jodie is also an Independent Disciplinary Panel Member for Scottish Athletics.

On her appointment to the Board, Jodie commented “I am thrilled to be joining the JudoScotland Board as an Independent Director. The unique and exciting opportunity to actively participate in an organisation responsible for the anti-corruption, discipline and anti-doping within the sport in Scotland, will allow me to bring my experience and knowledge at an independent international sporting body to a national governing body. As someone who is passionate about sport, I strive to make a difference and that is what I hope to do by being on the Board. I am really looking forward to helping shape JudoScotland as we currently move into a new strategic cycle and continue the growth of the sport in Scotland.”

Marc Preston, JudoScotland Chair added “Jodie, who is originally from Carnoustie, will bring a lot to the Board as a dual-qualified solicitor with experience in the sports sector, – and her current role as Legal Case Manager at the International Tennis Integrity Agency. Her skills will be a valuable addition to our Board and make us a stronger team.”

Jodie's appointment coincides with an exciting time for JudoScotland as we look to shape the new strategic plan for 2023 -2027.

by Rosanna Wood

2022 Coaching & Volunteering Awards Open for Nominations

Is there someone at your club who continually goes above and beyond? Now’s the time to say thank you with the JudoScotland Coaching and Volunteering Awards!

JudoScotland are delighted to announce that the 2022 Coaching and Volunteering Awards are open for nominations! We are pleased to re-introduce our Coaching and Volunteering Awards for 2022 after a 2-year break from the pandemic! Our 8 award categories provide a unique opportunity to share the stories and celebrate those that have contributed to Judo in Scotland over the past 12 months.

Community Coach Award

The Community Coach Awards is for a coach who has supported the development of judoka and has significantly increased the Judo opportunities available and participation levels within their community.