Simone Hamill, a dedicated member of Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion, has been honoured with JudoScotland’s Volunteer of the Year Award. This prestigious award is part of the JudoScotland Community Awards, a national initiative that recognises the hard work and commitment of judo volunteers across Scotland.
Simone picked up her award for the impact she has made in the club as their secretary and more recently her work in the female engagement and adaptive judo space as a coach.
After stepping away from judo in her youth Simone decided to get back onto the mat after her son started at the judo club and her spark for judo was reignited. Speaking about what judo means to her, Simone said:
“Probably 10 years ago I didn’t go anywhere, I didn’t socialise with anybody, I suffered really badly with anxiety and now I’m never in the house, I’m always out doing something, going somewhere so it’s totally changed my life.
“It’s gone from something that I did when I was younger that I still always spoke about to being my whole life. Half past ten at night I’m printing certificates for people and I’m thinking about what’s coming the next day and planning and organising it. I just love it!”
During the club’s disability sessions, Simone provides essential support and encouragement to all members and helps to create a positive and welcoming environment for everyone. Alongside the sessions, there is a dedicated space for carers and parents to relax and socialise and this has helped to create a supportive community within the club off the mat.
Simone also regularly attends the ASN (Additional Support Needs) units at local primary schools, assisting with the delivery of sessions. Her volunteer work helps to creates valuable opportunities for disabled adults and young people across South Lanarkshire to engage in sport, promoting improved physical and mental wellbeing.
Helping with the sessions was incredibly rewarding but Simone wanted to give even more back to the judo community. Part of her inspiration behind getting involved in coaching stemmed from her own experience of stepping back on the mat and the feelings of uncertainty that came with it. She noticed that there was a hesitance from young girls and women to join the club and knew she wanted to help tackle this.
“Being an adult woman coming back onto a judo mat, and to be the only female in the class, is a very intimidating place to be.
“I knew that if I could work really hard and get my Coaching Level One, that I could provide a space for women where they didn’t have to feel how I felt my first night back. They could come in, they could see women all different shapes and sizes, all different levels of ability, fitness, and they could just get involved and feel comfortable doing it rather than having that anxiety that I experienced.”
It is not only Simone’s dedication as a coach which earned her this national accolade but also her commitment to governance as the club secretary. She played an instrumental role in the club obtaining JudoMARK status, the JudoScotland club accreditation scheme which ensures clubs maintain the highest standards of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, People Development, Club Management and Governance. She plays an instrumental role in securing additional funding for the club through various grants and trusts to support members.
Reflecting on her award, Simone shared: “I felt really honoured to receive this award. I couldn’t believe that I had won it. I know first-hand the hard work and the amazing volunteers that are across the judo community as a whole so for me to be picked out of all of them, I’m incredibly grateful.”
Simone was presented her award at Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion by JudoScotland CEO Judith McCleary and Scottish Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart on Tuesday 7th October as part of a visit to celebrate Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week.