Following a thorough recruitment process, JudoScotland is thrilled to announce Laura Kirkhouse has joined us as a Club Support Officer.
Laura, who comes from a sporting background, will work alongside Sam Ingram in supporting judo clubs across the country. As part of the business development team she will assist the organisation to achieve its mission to ‘maximise the contribution of judo to Scotland’s communities through the provision of safe, inclusive and inspiring clubs based on judo’s values.’
On her appointment, Laura said: “I’m excited to be part of an organisation that shares the values of what I am most passionate about – the power of sport to transform individual lives and shape communities.
I’m delighted to join the team at JudoScotland. Judo is a sport that has the distinct ability to combine its high-performance pathways with an engaging development programme which grows participation and exposure to the sport.
I’m looking forward to meeting, and building a relationship, with more of the clubs and individuals who are the heartbeat of the Judo community in Scotland. I’m excited to continue to find ways to grow Judo, provide bespoke support to clubs and fulfil the sport’s potential to positively impact local communities and the wider Scottish society.”
Laura strongly believes in the positive impact clubs can have on individuals, saying: I believe clubs are such a positive way for anyone to get stuck in, grow in confidence, and build relationships. They are places that are safe, inclusive, and it’s about giving people the opportunity to try new things in a healthy way. I’ve got a good handle on club structures, I know that in the judo community, clubs are such a driving force for the growth of the sport across Scotland. They’re the touchpoints for kids getting involved in the sport and I can’t wait to get out to clubs and see how we can positively support them and find new ways for them to engage with their local communities.”
Laura enthusiastically shares her commitment to promoting female involvement in judo, “I’m really passionate about female participation in both how we can create positive pathways for girls who are already in the sport and how we can attract more women into judo that maybe didn’t get the opportunity when they were younger. I can’t wait to help shape a positive female development program that is in line with the Judo For All strategy. I want to make the experience as positive as possible for young girls across the clubs, knowing that they are supported and represented within the wider judo community.”
If you would like to discuss the landscape of your Judo club in Scotland further, you can contact Laura at laurakirkhouse@judoscotland.com.