News

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

Hi Judo Community,

It’s an exciting time for JudoScotland as we launched our new strategic plan for 2023 – 2027, Judo For All, this month. We developed our plan following an in-depth consultation with our stakeholders and members to encapsulate our collective goals. The plan reflects some fantastic opportunities for the organisation and the sport. If you haven’t had a chance yet, I would encourage you to read through it here.

I am also thrilled to welcome two new independent directors to our Board this month Lynne Glen and Sandy Hodge. Lynne and Sandy bring a wealth of experience from their roles within Scottish sport. I look forward to working with them both as well as our other directors, JudoScotland staff and members to bring Judo For All to life.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of three significant members of the Scottish Judo family in March, Eddie Ainsworth, Jimmy Mcquade, and David McSkimming.

In happier news, there have been some great success for our performance Judoka in March with Nordine Adrif (-60kg) and Ollie Short (-73kg) both taking their first senior international tour medals with a Bronze at the Riga Senior European Cup. Kirsten Taylor (J2 +70kg) took a step towards her Paris 2024 Paralympic qualification with a Bronze medal at the IBSA Egyptian Grand Prix earlier in the month.

Also, I would like to congratulate Sean Allan from Castle Douglas Judo Club on his selection to represent Special Olympics GB at the  Berlin 2023 World Games in June.

And lastly, on the  2^nd April, I had the privilege of being at the Dan Grading event hosted by JudoScotland at Ravenscraig, Motherwell.  With 100+ participants it was one of the UK’s largest gradings of its type.  Congratulations to all of those who succeeded and for the others, keep trying!

Thanks

Marc

Special Olympics Great Britain has today secured participation in the Judo competition at the Berlin 2023 Special Olympics World Games, with Scottish Judoka Sean Allan being selected as the sole British athlete who will compete on the world stage.

Sean (20) lives near Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway. He attends Dumfries & Galloway College and Better Lives Partnership, and trains regularly at Castle Douglas Judo Club. He will be part of the Team Special Olympics World Games delegation of more than 80 athletes in June, who will compete alongside more than 7,000 other athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the world.

Joining Sean in Berlin is coach Luke Struthers, who runs the Castle Douglas Judo Club and Dumfries Judo Academy and also works as West Scotland Regional Development Officer for JudoScotland.

“Sean has been on an incredible journey since he first came to the Judo club as an eight-year-old in 2011,” said Luke. “He was initially quite shy and struggled to adjust to the different environment, but his confidence levels have soared and he’s a very popular athlete within the club.

“Being able to compete at a Special Olympics World Games is a fantastic opportunity for Sean. Whilst he has previously medalled in the East Scotland Special Needs Judo Championships, competitive opportunities for him can be limited and he has been waiting a long time for this opportunity. Everyone at the club is very excited for him and will be following his progress closely.”

Sean trains at Castle Douglas Judo Club three times a week, whilst also honing his skills at home. Judo is a big part of his family life with his brother and foster brother currently volunteering as coaches at the club, and his foster mother acting as the Welfare Officer.

As Sean’s coach, Luke has been running Castle Douglas Judo Club as a volunteer since 2001 with the club founded originally by his father Robert Davidson in 1981. He has been a qualified coach for 23 years and he works with 107 athletes at the Castle Douglas and Dumfries clubs.

Colin Dyer, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB, said: “We’re delighted to confirm Judo as our 17^th and final sport for Berlin 2023, and to give Sean the opportunity to be part of Team Special Olympics GB and compete against other athletes with intellectual disabilities from around the world.

“However, none of this would be possible without volunteer coaches like Luke, who are giving up their time to provide the necessary support that allows our athletes to enjoy what is potentially a transformational experience away from their families and home.

“Taking a team of more 80 athletes, with intellectual disabilities, to compete overseas does present many challenges and we are also incredibly grateful to Jingle Jam for raising money to sponsor and support our operational costs for the event.”

Special Olympics GB was last year announced as one of 12 charity partners of Jingle Jam, the world’s biggest charity gaming event. The 14-day-long gaming-fest in December raised more than £200,000 to help the Special Olympics GB send its team of athletes, volunteer coaches and volunteer support and medical staff to Berlin 2023.

Across the country, Special Olympics GB is the UK’s largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults of all abilities with intellectual disabilities. More than 6,500 athletes are currently registered and are participating at one of the 95 accredited programmes within Scotland, England and Wales, which are delivered by a devoted team of around 3,500 volunteers.