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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.  

Hundreds of thousands of fans are poised to book their tickets to the hottest sporting event in the UK next year, as Glasgow 2026 prepares to launch ticket sales for what promises to be one of the most unforgettable Commonwealth Games ever.

Fans registered with Glasgow 2026 will gain exclusive access to a pre-sale later this month, but with only 500,000 tickets available – and with tens of thousands already registered – Games fans are warned to act now or risk missing out. Pre-registration closes at 23:59 on 16 October, giving fans just two weeks to secure their spot in the queue.

With over 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories set to compete in a blockbuster sporting programme across 10 sports and six Para sports next summer, Glasgow 2026 has today revealed details of how spectators can secure their seats at the action-packed, new-look Commonwealth Games – with Glasgow communities given first shot at landing the sought-after tickets.

Ticket prices will start at just £26 for medal sessions and £17 for non-medal sessions, with concession tickets available from just £12, when they go on sale in two weeks’ time.

In a move to bring out a home crowd, Glasgow 2026 has confirmed that fans from across Glasgow and Scotland will be given first access to tickets:

• Pre-Sale One – Glasgow area: Fans with G postcodes will have exclusive access to tickets from 12:00 noon on Tuesday 21st October, provided they pre-register by 23:59 on Thursday 16th October. This window closes at 09:00 on Friday 24th October.
• Pre-Sale Two – Scotland-wide: Anyone with a Scottish postcode will gain access from 12:00 noon on Friday 24thOctober, with pre-sale closing at 09:00 on Monday 27th October.

This will be followed by an exclusive final pre-sale for the rest of the UK and fans worldwide who have registered with a Glasgow 2026 account:

• Pre-Sale Three – All fans pre-registered with Glasgow 2026: Anyone registered from across the UK and overseas will be able to purchase from 12:00 noon on Monday 27th October, with the pre-sale concluding at 12:00 noon on Wednesday 29th October.

The deadline for pre-sale sign up is 23:59 on Thursday 16th October, so fans are urged to sign up quickly to secure their spot in the pre-sale. With Glasgow’s renowned love and passion for live sport, it’s predicted that the Games will deliver some of the loudest crowds and most memorable atmospheres in Commonwealth history.

George Black CBE, Chair of Glasgow 2026, said: “Glasgow 2026 is going to be an unforgettable celebration of sport – with half a million tickets available to experience world-class athletes competing in one of the most exciting Games programmes ever staged.

“We know demand will be unprecedented, which is why we are announcing our pre-sales for Glasgow and Scotland, giving local communities priority access to grab a front row seat and be at the heart of the action. We know the crowd in Scotland will create an electric atmosphere and we can’t wait for everybody to be part of the Games in Glasgow next summer.”

Fans can pre-register now via glasgow2026.com before the 16th October for exclusive ticketing access, as well as access all the latest Games news.

The full general public ticket on sale will open on Thursday 30th October.

On Sunday 28th of September, we were delighted to host clubs at the EICA Ratho for the JudoScotland Annual General Meeting. 

Thanks To Gordon McCathie 

Following a successful term on the JudoScotland Board, Gordon McCathie has made the decision to step back from his role. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Gordon for his dedication, insight, and valuable contributions during his time on the Board. 

Richard Marsh Appointed as Director 

Following a vote from eligible JudoScotland member clubs, we are delighted to welcome Richard Marsh to the JudoScotland Board. Richard brings a wealth of experience as an economist, and we are excited about the insight and energy he will contribute to JudoScotland. 

Richard’s expertise will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen the Scottish judo community, and we look forward to working together to shape the future of our sport. 

Hear from Richard himself:  

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to Iain Feenan for putting himself forward. It was a closely contested decision, and we truly appreciate his willingness to contribute.  

Article of Association 

The amendments to the Articles of Association were formally approved at the AGM, strengthening safeguarding measures in alignment with current legal requirements. These changes represent a proactive step in ensuring that JudoScotland continues to uphold the principles of the ‘Three Steps Safe’ framework from leadership through to delivery. 

Meet JudoScotland’s Performance Team 

Following the close of the 2025 JudoScotland Annual General Meeting, Head of Performance Alberto Borin, shared his vision for the future of the performance pathway. 

Scottish athlete success remains a core goal for JudoScotland, and the team emphasised the importance of establishing a sustainable model to achieve long-term excellence. The recent transition of the performance programme into JudoScotland was highlighted as a key opportunity to review existing systems and strengthen collaboration with the wider judo community, ensuring Scottish athletes are well-prepared for the GB World Class Performance Programme. 

This weekend, Clyde Judo Club became the first club in Scotland to present the newly updated, nationally recognised, JudoScotland Mon Grade resources. This marked a significant step forward in how young judoka experience progression and recognition on their judo journey.

The grading system is a vital part of the judo journey, helping young athletes track their development and celebrate their achievements. The revamped Mon Grade resources are designed to enhance this experience, making grading more engaging and rewarding.

Struan Paterson, who proudly achieved his 10th Mon, shared his excitement, “My new grade makes me feel like I’m a part of this club and I have something to look forward to in the future. My favourite part about the grading was learning new moves, new holds, and just spending time with friends.” 

His mum, Lucy, shared, “I find the grading system extremely clear. Everything needed is available online; the moves, the holds, and the terminology. The way it’s delivered in the club really helps break down the structure of each grade.” 

Reflecting on the impact it has on her son, she added: 

“His face when he gets his next grade says it all. We keep all of his belts on display. He loves seeing his progress and knowing he’s moving up. It gives him a sense of achievement and boosts his confidence—especially when he shares his success with friends at school.” 

Clyde Club Coach Susie Wright shared her thoughts on the new resources: 

“I really like the new resources. These keyrings with the belts are a brilliant way to record the kids’ journey. It’s a great concept—something that shows the progress they’ve made and gives them a visual reminder to say, ‘Right, okay, I’ve done that.’”  

Is your club running a grading soon? We’d love to see your photos! Share them with us on social media or email them to rebeccamcguire@judoscotland.com

Find out more about the new Mon Grade Resources here. 

Last week marked a momentous moment as JudoScotland hosted the first National Training Camp since the Performance Programme came in-house earlier this year.  

This camp marked an important milestone, offering a valuable opportunity to establish clear expectations for judoka in terms of their daily training, development and overall performance journey. 

Invited judoka spent four days at the National Training Centre engaging with various training exercises and judo sessions where they were joined by special guest 5 x World Champion and Olympian Uta Abe.  

Uta’s first visit to Scotland ahead of her Olympic Training Camp in Slovakia this week coincided perfectly with the training camp where she was able to be an inspiring presence and take part in various sessions alongside judoka.  

In addition to training, the camp also provided some valuable learning opportunities for the judoka to think about their lifestyle choices off the mat. Dr. Nikos Jakubiak, sportscotland Institute of Sport Senior Performance Nutritionist hosted a session which used athletes previously submitted food journals to dispel some myths on nutrition and provide valuable input on how to properly fuel your body ahead of training and competitions.  

The camp would not be possible without support from partners. It is important to thank RA Sneddon Joinery & Building Contractors for supporting this camp and helping to subsidise this opportunity for our judoka, and to Lost Shore Resort for being such gracious hosts to our athletes. 

Reflecting on the key learnings from the camp, attendee Finlay Strang said: “Having Nikos in speaking about nutrition and with Taka going through video analysis gave me a really different perspective on the other side of judo, it’s not just about being on the mat, it’s deeper than that.”  

This sentiment was echoed by fellow judoka, Rachel McLean who commented: “My biggest takeaway from the camp will be the different advice and different perspectives that I’ve been able to get from the coaches. It’s been great to see different gripping strategies that I can apply at competitions, especially because I’m left-handed, all the coaches have been really good at helping me understand different ways that I can do the techniques. 

“One of the biggest highlights has also been the accommodation at Lost Shore, it’s been very homey and comfortable there. It’s only a short walk back to the pods from the dojo so you can just go back after training and relax straightaway and get ready for your next session.” 

With the Performance Programme now in-house we hope that this will be the first of many camps to come to continue to support our judoka and how we work with the wider judo community to prepare Scottish athletes for the GB World Class Performance Programme.  

The JudoScotland Community Awards are our National Awards recognising the hard work and dedication of the Judo workforce in Scotland.  

This year we have been overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of award nominations celebrating individual contributions to our sport, it has been our busiest awards yet with 126 nominations across the eight categories! 

We look forward to visiting the clubs of each of our 2025 winners soon to present them with their awards.  

“Every Thursday evening they welcome along the participants to the Junior & Senior sessions whilst parents and carers are welcomed into our break out area where we provide tea, coffee and home baking. This has enabled the parents and carers to build a community of support and understanding.” 

“What stands out most is the welcoming and safe environment Gary has created. Children, teenagers, adults, and individuals with additional needs are all treated with the same care and respect. The atmosphere at Cluarankwai is one of belonging, and that is because of Gary’s leadership and values.” 

“Antony’s patience is evident as he works at the student’s own pace, ensuring that everyone feels supported and valued. His enthusiasm is infectious and inspires students to push beyond their perceived limits. By embodying these qualities, Antony fosters a positive and effective learning environment for students with disabilities, empowering them to thrive and achieve their full potential.”

“Claire provides a wide range of development opportunities, from club sessions to regional and national competitions, training camps, and bespoke development days. She actively encourages judoka to push their boundaries and exposes them to high-performance environments that accelerate their growth.” 

“Kirsty has from the onset and continues to inspire as a positive role model for all participants and her peers. She has taken many a fledgling under her wing providing a calm and supportive role for bringing others of all ages into officiating. On speaking to those she has inspired and taught, she in one of the main reasons they have continued to be involved in officiating and always look forward to being in her company.” 

“Simone is a dedicated volunteer at Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion, where she serves as club secretary and actively participates in the Disability and ASN (Additional Support Needs) sessions. Her volunteer work creates valuable opportunities for disabled adults and young people across South Lanarkshire to engage in sport, promoting improved physical and mental wellbeing.”

“Amy’s influence is deeply felt across all levels of the club’s community—from the youngest Judoka taking their first steps onto the mat to aspiring athletes entering the competitive arena. In addition to her work at Tams Brig, Amy also coaches her university Judo team, balancing her responsibilities with a high level of professionalism and drive. Her dual involvement in grassroots and university Judo reflects her versatility as a coach and her broader commitment to the sport’s development.”

“For over five decades, Peter Gardiner has been a beacon of inspiration and excellence in the world of judo. His dedication to the sport has shaped the lives of countless children and adults, instilling confidence, discipline, and a lifelong love for the sport.” 

The search is on to find more than 3,000 volunteers to provide the first hello and the final goodbye at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, as the volunteer application portal opens today (16th September).

From supporting athletes on venue during competition, through to being a welcoming and friendly face to hundreds of thousands of spectators and media, volunteers will be at the heart of the action next year when the Games return to Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August.

Glasgow 2026 is calling for people to ‘Get In!’ and support the host city to bring the Games to life, encouraging former volunteers and first-time applicants from all backgrounds across Glasgow, Scotland and the UK to apply. It’s good news for those who turned 16- years-old by 1 September 2025 as the minimum age has been lowered.

No experience is necessary, and full training will be provided so that volunteers can help the Games run seamlessly. Glasgow 2026 is also offering support to those with barriers to digital access through a partnership with Glasgow Libraries and its DigiPals programme, and Volunteer Glasgow and Skills Development Scotland are hosting drop-in sessions to guide people through the application form.

Phil Batty OBE, CEO of Glasgow 2026, said “Volunteers bring an energetic and friendly welcome to a major event. Since 2014, Glasgow has time and time again demonstrated that people really make this city and I know the volunteers in 2026 will rise to the opportunity.

“We’ve been asked since day one about volunteering and we’re very excited to open the application portal today. We are encouraging applications from people from all walks of life from across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond – no prior experience is required.

“The appetite to volunteer in the city is high and there’s lots of ways to get involved no matter what your interests are. It’s a great way to soak up the action, focus on your wellbeing and to be part of shaping a new era for the Commonwealth Games. This is a chance to say, ‘I was there’. So come and get involved and start your application today.”

To find out more information on how to get involved please visit the Glasgow 2026 website here.