News

Nationwide Multi-Sport Coaching Programme

The lead agency for coaching in the UK, UK Coaching, has helped two Scottish Judo coaches develop their knowledge through an innovative nationwide multi-sport development programme. The FOCUS Coach Development programme is designed to provide specific support to coaches in performance pathway environments to enhance the impact of coaching on athlete experience, development and well-being.

We caught up with one of the coaches benefiting from the course, Head Coach at Garioch Judo Club, Stuart McWatt, to find out how the course is going.

As a coach who has continuously sought further development, why is it important for you to look for these opportunities? 

“I have always been looking at ways to grow as a coach, completing my level 2 & 3, but I wanted to know more. That’s why I decide to undertake the level 4 and this course.”

“If I get better, I make the people around me get better”

What made the FOCUS coach development programme appealing to you?

“The course is all about looking at coaching behaviours which is really interesting. Sometimes you just do, but this course has made me look at other coaches and reflect on my own coaching so that I know where to go.”

“This doesn’t just help my coaching it helps to develop my coaches.”

How have you found the course? 

“I really loved the course. The two best things I took away were, filming yourself coach and the Coach Mentor. When you watch yourself back coaching you think ‘right ok’ it’s all there to see so it really makes you think about how you coach. It is something I have encouraged my coaches to do for their own development.”

“The Coach Mentor was a great tool. As a coach, you very rarely have a coach that coaches you. My mentor Andrew Bradshaw knew nothing about Judo but his mentorship on coach behaviour was a breath of fresh air, sometimes you just need someone to shine a torch for you.”

As a full-time judo coach, how do you find the time to take part? 

“Sometimes small sacrifices pay big dividends. Getting someone else to take a class for a few sessions is a sacrifice in the short term but when you are looking at the long term it is worth it.”

What impact does this course have on the judoka on your mat? 

“Initially it’s my coaches that will benefit, but by empowering my coaches the Judoka will enjoy the journey.”

What type of courses would you like to see available for coaches looking to develop in Scotland?

“The way we currently deliver coach education is ok but there is definitely room for improvement. We need to break it down more, delivering it in a more interesting way. It’s great to share ideas but sometimes these spaces can turn into a place to rant, we need to keep it positive. Let’s push forward and empower coaches to grow and think for themselves. Make younger coaches aware of what ‘they’ can achieve as a coach.”

“More needs to be done to look at psychology, and not just at an elite level. When you go on to the mat be aware of the signals. Are your players up or down? Is today a good day for them? It can be hard when there 100’s on the mat but by making it important to see the signals not just from a child protection point of view but to ensure that Judo is enjoyable from the get go.”

“The other thing in terms of coach development is ensuring that coaches take time to reflect. Many already but making them aware of the process and why it is important.”

If you would like to learn more about the UK Coaching Focus Coach Development Programme click here.

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Richard Kenney Receives OBE

Former Scottish and GB international player and coach, Richard Kenney received his OBE honour from The Princess Royal at an investiture held at the Palace of Holyrood House on 19th January. Richard was awarded his OBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List but because of Covid was unable to receive the award at that time. Richard, who is President of the Commonwealth Judo Association and Vice President of JudoScotland received his award for Services to Judo.

Richard currently holds the grade of 7th Dan and has a Judo CV to be proud of, travelling the world as a competitor has been followed by a lifetime of service to our sport as Richard currently holds the position of President of the Commonwealth Judo Association and is Vice President of JudoScotland. Richard has also held many high positions within local authorities and currently holds the positions of Vice-Chair and Chair for Scottish Club Sport and ClubSport Borders respectively.

Richard has attended many Commonwealth Games with Scotland and was appointed Olympic Team Manager for GB Athens 2004. He gives a lot of his time to sport in his local area but also finds time to support all of our coaching initiatives including masterclasses, clinics, grading’s, kata courses and is usually one of the first names on the list to attend the JudoScotland Gathering.

JudoScotland would like to send our heartfelt congratulations to Richard OBE on his tremendous achievement. We look forward to many more years on the tatami with Richard.

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New Partnership Agreement

Following the success of the recent Kyu Grade competition held in St. Andrews, Scottish Student Sport and JudoScotland celebrate a new partnership agreement to grow student Judo on and off the mats.

Scottish Student Sport (SSS) are pleased to announce the latest in a number of Partnership Agreements (PA) with Scottish Governing Bodies. This new agreement with Judo Scotland (JS) will create a shared strategy toward growing participation, developing the workforce and supporting student clubs.

As an indoor contact sport Judo faced serious challenges during the lockdowns throughout the pandemic but participation at semester 1 events suggests that the Judo community are as eager as ever to compete. This PA has ambitious targets around growing club membership to exceed pre-pandemic levels, and will do so through club support from both SSS and JS.

Through reviewing the competition structure Scottish Student Judo (SSJ) will ensure there are opportunities for those new to the sport as well as those looking for a more competitive offering. There are also plans to provide a transition pathway for school pupils to student clubs. There will also be a focus on continuing to increase the number of student officials and coaches within JS.

Tony Penfold, Head of Delivery at Judo Scotland, said: “This new Partnership Agreement with Scottish Student Sport provides us with a great opportunity to focus our efforts on key areas that will enable student judo in Scotland to bounce back following COVID and establish itself as an integral part of the Scottish judo community. This is an exciting time for student Judo as all key stakeholders have inputted into this agreement and are now accountable for its delivery, and we very much look forward to seeing what we can collectively achieve.”

Neil Rankin, Development Coordinator at SSS, added: “As an indoor contact sport Judo has had a difficult two years with pandemic restrictions, but in semester 1 already we have seen a good recovery – thanks to the work of Paul Grady (SSJ Chair) and other key volunteers. This partnership will help steer collaboration with Judo Scotland toward increasing participation, developing the workforce and cementing student Judo within the work of the governing body.”

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The 2021 British Championships

Over the past two weekends, the British Judo Championships returned to the EIS, Sheffield where eight Scottish Judoka were crowned British Champion.

On the first weekend of the competition, six Scottish judokas from 13 clubs were crowned British Champions. In the pre-cadets Lori Buchan (PCG -57) Destination Judo, Isaac Callaghan (PCB-34) from Destination Judo, Vasilliy Menshykov (PCB-42) Garioch Judo Club and Archie Strang (PCB -46) Danderhall Judo Club secured Gold in their respective categories. With Emma McCabe (CG-44) Titan Judo and Blake Rodman (CB -46) Hibari Kan Judo Club claimed victory in their Cadet categories.

However, it wasn't just our Judoka representing Scotland at Sheffield, we were proud to see our esteemed table officials and referees taking up the mantle of British Championships. Michelle Strachan was there in the capacity of Senior Recorder as well as referees Frazer McBeath, James McBeath, Paul Grady, Graeme McLachlan and Charlie Strachan all helping the decisions on the mat run smoothly.

The second weekend marked the return of the Juniors and Seniors who took to the mat in an attempt to be crowned British Champion. With a total of 22 medals across the weekend and two British Champions crowned, Scottish Judoka finished the year on a high at the EIS Sheffield.

On Saturday Luke Thomson from Sportif claimed victory in the Junior 55kg category. On Sunday Olympian Sarah Adlington (Edinburgh Judo) returned to competition to become British Champion in the +78kg category.

We were also delighted to see referees Audrey Pirie, Paul Grady, Neil Malone, Graeme McLachlan and James McBeath, representing Scotland with their astute decision making.

Click here for the full list of results. 

Click here for full Junior results.

Click here for full Senior results.

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New Coach Learning Framework

Coaching is more than just making participants better performers. It's about supporting them to be better people and better performers. The insight-based Coach Learning Framework helps coaches grow and develop their coaching knowledge and their confidence to deliver great sessions. It equips coaches with a toolkit of skills to enable them to support participants and enhance their enjoyment and performance in sport and physical activity.

UK Coaching, along with more than 80 coaching experts from around the world, examined the foundations that make up a high-quality coaching environment that is packed with great learning experiences, to determine exactly what people need to be successful, as well as the skills, qualities and behaviours a coach needs to provide to support them.

Click here to find out more.

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The Scottish Open Returns

JudoScotland is delighted to announce the return of the Scottish Open Judo Tournament on the 22nd & 23rd of January 2022. A competition like no other on the Scottish Judo calendar, The Scottish Open attracts domestic and international Judoka throughout their judo journey to compete at the first international Judo event in Scotland in two years.

This year we have added a second day of competition to accommodate Cadet Judoka so they can compete alongside Juniors, Seniors and Masters instead of in a stand-alone event later in the year.

When: Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd January 2022

Where: sportscotland National Centre: Inverclyde, Burnside Road, Largs, KA30 8RW.

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