The Northern Ireland Judo Programme delivers the Performance Strategy for members of the NIJF and IJA members from Northern Ireland.

There are approximately 2000 Judoka in Northern Ireland’s 40 Clubs. The Performance Programme focuses on a small number of athletes in Cadet, Junior and Senior age bands. NI Judo Squad membership is for athletes who are eligible to compete for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, however, participation in ‘Squad’ training and activities is open to any Judoka affiliated with the IJF. There is one compulsory National Randori session in Northern Ireland every week, for all Cadet, Junior and Senior ‘Squad’ members however the primary delivery model for our Squad members is through 1:1 contact with our Performance Coaching Staff.

Central to the ongoing development of the NI Judo Programme has been the recent recruitment of a full-time Performance Lead and two part-time NI Performance Coaches.
Two-time Irish Olympian, Ciaran Ward, was appointed as Performance Lead in June and former British & Commonwealth Champion, Colin Savage, has just commenced his Performance Coach position in July 2016. Irish National Cadet Coach, Paul Green, will join the Performance Coaching staff in September.

NI currently has five athletes on the GB National Squad and 4 athletes on the Irish National Squad. The NI Cadet Squad travel to Switzerland next week for an IJF training camp before meeting up with the rest of the Home Nation Squads in August for the GB Trademark and English Talent Development training camps.

For more information please visit: http://www.nijudo.com/ or email Ciaran Ward.