A Brief update from the Chair of some key events and recent news from May. 

Hi Judo Community,

May was an extremely busy month with 2 Grand Prix Events and the JudoScotland All Stars Championship taking place.

It was great to see such healthy numbers and participation at the recent Clyde Open where all 5 mats were utilised. I’ve heard good feedback from the Event.

I thought referees and officials at the All Stars Championship looked great in their new, logoed JudoScotland polo tops.  It helped portray a suitably informal approach to the event which, for so many young judokas, is their introduction to tournaments.  I felt it helped convey an appropriately relaxed atmosphere and supported the event’s positioning of being a ‘gentler/fun’ introduction to competition.

I’d like to give a special mention to Lisa Allan.  I’ve known Lisa for most of my life and was delighted when she became the International Judo Federation’s General Secretary.  She’s worked extremely hard over the years and it’s no surprise that she has achieved this success, her appointment is good for Judo and great for JudoScotland.  She’s an inspiration and recently visited the JudoScotland office where she gave a great motivational talk to our Staff – much appreciated Lisa.  We had a nice catch-up on the phone and we both agreed that the ‘Wee Lassie fae Wester Hailes has come a long way’.

On other matters, good luck to Sean Allan, I hope your preparation for the Special Olympics World Games on the 17th – 25th June goes well.  I would also like to wish Chris Murphy the best of luck at the Virtus Global Games which takes place in Vichy-France from the 2nd – 11th of June. We’re all rooting for you both.

And finally, I hope everyone enjoyed the Grand Prix in Aberdeen at the end of the month.  Gordon McCathie, our Vice Chair represented JudoScotland, and said he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks

Marc