Dear JudoScotland Membership,

As JudoScotland Chair, I wanted to take the opportunity to update the membership periodically on what we are doing here at JudoScotland. Most of you are aware that our new CEO Judith McCleary is now in office as of the 25th of April and I am sure you will join me in wishing her every success in the role. Before taking up the position Judith took the time to meet with our Honorary Vice Presidents Jim Feenan, Rick Kenney OBE and Colin McIver, as well as Honorary President Dr George Kerr CBE. She also personally met with all the JudoScotland Board and staff members to get to know the team before starting. On her second day in the role, Judith joined 15 clubs from across the country at the virtual ‘coaches café’ where she chatted with coaches hearing about their thoughts, concerns and vision for the future of Judo in Scotland.

Our next Board meeting will be held on the 31st of May, and we are pleased to welcome British Judo who will present their new strategy to Scottish Clubs from 6:30 – 7:45 pm, please let us know if you can make it before Friday 20th May. JudoScotland will be starting our own consultation process with clubs soon as Judith and the Board lead on the development of the new strategic plan, we welcome all input from clubs and encourage you all to get involved in the process.

May also marks an exciting month for Commonwealth Judo, as we will be announcing who will represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this Summer. A rare opportunity for Judoka to compete under the Saltire, Birmingham 2022 will mark the return of Judo following our historic medal haul in Glasgow 2014 and the first time it will feature as a core sport.  We look forward to sharing the news of who has made the team later this month following ratification from Commonwealth Games Scotland.

With our tournament programme starting to ramp up, we look forward to seeing you at this weekend’s Clyde Grand Prix and next weekend’s Keizoku 2022, I am sure I speak on behalf of all JudoScotland staff that we would be delighted to catch up with you at these events.

As the newly appointed Chair, I hope to make these communications a regular feature and look forward to keeping you updated with all the exciting things happening in Judo in Scotland.

 

Kind regards,

Marc Preston

JudoScotland Chair