Entering its third year, applications for the 2026 JudoScotland Senpai Programme are now open.
We are seeking a new cohort of young people who are eager to get involved and take an active role in their club. The Senpai Programme is an initiative that has been designed to empower young people within judo clubs in Scotland and is delivered at no cost to the individual.
Providing young people with leadership opportunities early in life helps to set them up for long‑term success, opening the door to new possibilities and giving them the confidence to aim higher. The aim of the programme is to support our young members aged 16 –24 to learn new skills and gain greater confidence in themselves to take on new challenges both in and beyond the dojo.
During the programme participants will have the opportunity to attend educational workshops delivered by Scottish Sports Futures and Scottish Disability Sport. These workshops are designed to help Senpai participants develop skills to take on self-defined responsibilities and challenges within their club environments.
The Senpai Programme is all about developing young people through a hybrid of formal learning and collaboration with like-minded young people to support them through their projects and to develop a network of support around them.
Applicants are encouraged to think about a potential role or project they would like to undertake at their club which they will be supported with during their time on the programme.
JudoScotland Senpai Programme Lead, Sam Ingram said: “It’s very exciting to be entering our third year of the programme. Over the past two years we have seen 22 young people take part in the programme and you can really see the impact that it has had on their confidence and their involvement in judo.
“Individuals who were very reserved at the start of the programme have since grown in confidence. They have gone on to volunteer at events, undertake fundraising initiatives, take on roles that no one else in their club had the capacity to fulfil, or simply provide support during club sessions. It has been great to see their increased confidence and such positive personal transformations.
“If you are interested in playing a more active role in your judo club or in the wider judo community, we want to hear from you.”
The application period runs from Monday 2nd February to Monday 23rd February. Following the closing date, applications will be shortlisted by an internal JudoScotland panel and invited to attend an online interview.
Anyone who wishes to apply for the Senpai Programme should fill out the application form. It should take about 20-30 minutes to complete. Please head to the Senpai Programme webpage on the JudoScotland website for more information.
We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups, recognising the importance of different perspectives in shaping the next generation of young leaders. If you are having any issues completing the application, please contact Sam Ingram on samuelingram@judoscotland.com