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!