JudoScotland has today opened nominations for the annual Community Awards, focusing on celebrating the incredible efforts of the judo community both on and off the mat.
Previously named the Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering (COV) Awards, the Community Awards aim to celebrate and recognise the incredible efforts of the clubs, coaches, volunteers, technical officials and referees in the judo community.
The format this year includes eight award categories, many of which have been featured in previous years, however, a new award for 2025 is the Young Person of the Year. This award will be presented to a young person (aged 16-24) who goes above and beyond to be a role model to young people and is a positive representative of the judo community. Additionally, it seems only fitting that our Lifetime Contribution Award is now named after Dr. George Kerr, 10th Dan CBE, in recognition of being Scotland’s only 10th Dan and his exceptional contribution to our sport.
The award categories are as follows:
- Club of the Year will be awarded to a club that makes a significant positive impact in their community through their delivery, organisation, and development of judo. It also honours their commitment to promoting the core values of our sport and JudoScotland.
- Club Coach of the Year celebrates a coach who has made a remarkable impact by fostering the growth of judoka, expanding access to Judo opportunities, and significantly increasing participation within their community.
- Disability Coach of the Year recognises an outstanding coach working with people with disabilities. This coach will have provided inclusive opportunities by actively removing barriers to participation and taking time to deliver judo sessions to meet participant needs to help them develop their skills, build confidence and resilience, and develop a positive attitude towards sport and physical activity.
- Player Development Coach of the Year will be presented to a coach who has made an outstanding contribution to long-term athlete development aligned with the JudoScotland Player Development Framework.
- Volunteer of the Year credits a volunteer in a non-coaching role, who has made an outstanding contribution to their club, and the wider judo community.
- Technical Official/Referee of the Year will be presented to a Technical Official/Referee who has made a significant contribution to the sport through their hard work and dedication and executed a high performance both on and off the mat.
- The George Kerr Lifetime Contribution Award has been renamed this year in recognition of Scotland’s only 10th Dan and his exceptional contribution to our sport. It seems only fitting that our Lifetime Contribution Award is named after Dr. George Kerr, 10th Dan CBE. This award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to judo over a sustained period as either a coach, technical official, referee, or volunteer. They are an exemplary role model to others and whose efforts have contributed to the growth and development of individuals and the wider judo community.
- Young Person of the Year recognises an outstanding young person (aged 16-24) who goes above and beyond to be a role model to young people and is a positive representative of the judo community.
The award nomination period will close at noon on Friday 4th July 2025. The award winners will be announced in August following a selection process by a judging panel.
JudoScotland’s CEO, Judith McCleary said: “We are really excited to be opening the nominations for our Community Awards 2025. Our sport would not be possible without the coaching and volunteer workforce in our clubs, and it’s important that we shine a light on the incredible work that they do to help our sport thrive in Scotland.
“I’d like to wish the best of luck to all the award nominees, and I look forward to celebrating the successes of our winners later in the year.”
More information on the Community Awards and how to nominate someone can be found here.