British Judo’s 8th Annual Awards Dinner recognised the phenomenal achievements of all of our players, coaches, volunteers and referees in 2014 on Saturday 22 November at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham.

In a year that has witnessed astounding success at elite level; with 29 medals at the Commonwealth Games, a gold medallist at the Junior European Championships and two Junior World Championships medallists, the awards began with the recognition of the players of the year across all of levels of the sport.

The female Cadet Player of the Year was awarded to Lubjana Piovesana of Bishop Challoner Judo Club for the second year in a row. Fellow cadet Neil Macdonald of Alba took the title of male Cadet Player of the Year.

Centre of Excellence players Ebony Drysdale-Daley and Jodie Myers took the title of joint female Junior Player of the Year. Ebony won a silver medal at the Junior World Championships and Jodie Myers became Junior European Champion earlier this year.

The male Junior Player of the Year Award went to Sam Hall of Ryecroft Judo Club, who moved to the British Judo Centre of Excellence last November and is currently GB Junior number one. The awards were sponsored by and Corporate and Sporting Events (CSE).

Commonwealth Champion and Kazakhstan Grand Prix gold medallist Natalie Powell of Irfon judo club was awarded Female Senior Player of the Year, alongside Colin Oates of Kumo Judo Club who was awarded Senior Player of the Year for the second year running. Both of their awards were sponsored by CSE and were presented by Kerrith Brown, British Judo Chairman.

Colin’s club mate and VI World bronze medallist Jono Drane was awarded Visually Impaired Player of the Year capping off an amazing year for the Norwich man. Daniel Brooks was awarded Inclusion Player of the Year after being involved in the sport for over 30 years.

Kay Andrews of Matsumachi Judo Club, was awarded Masters Player of the Year and was presented her accolade by Ronnie Saez, Judo Scotland Chairman and BJA Board Director.

The Young Referee Gold Award went to Nathan Gallacher of Samauri Judo club, silver to Tommy Ryan of Warrington Warjukwai and bronze to Wynn Williams of Irfon Judo Club and Amy Oram of Yate Star Judo Club.

Referee of the Year gold was won by David Stanley, silver by Dan Harris of Pinewood Judo Club and bronze to Ellis Wilkes of Bishop Challoner RC School JC.

Official of the Year gold was awarded to Steve Wilkins of Edgewood Judo Club, silver to Debbie Smethurst and bronze to Peter Foster, Alness Judo Club.

Young Volunteer of the Year gold medal went to Karen French Chichester Ronin, silver to Tam Brown, Milton Judo Club and bronze awards to Roy Francis of Aireborough & Wharfedale Judo Club and Chris Riley of Cobra Judo Club.

The Club Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by 21:12, celebrated the achievements of our club volunteers, with David Martin of Redcar Judo Club awarded gold, Lisa Powell, New Cross Martial Arts Judo Club awarded silver and bronze awards to Paul Robinson, University of Nottingham Judo Club and Georgie Lomas, Northampton Judo Club.

In the Club Coach of the Year category, the gold was awarded to Dave Cotterill, Bromsgrove Judo Kwai with silver awarded to Mark Scott of Renrukan Judo Club and bronze awards going to Sophie Cox, Bacup Judo Club and Craig Capton, Tora Kai Judo Club.

In the Volunteer of the Year category, sponsored by Westbrook, gold was awarded to Steve Pullen MBE, Umston Judo Club, with silver going to Peter Seymour, Kin Ryu Judo Club and bronze awards going to Adele Jones, Ryecroft Judo Club and Andy Parton, Miramar Judo Club.

Club of the Year was sponsored by Cimac. Gold was awarded to Ryedale Judo Club, silver to South Brent and bronze awards going to South Shields and Nottingham University Judo Club.

The Presidents Award, sponsored by Perkins Slade was awarded to Bob Thomas.

British Judo Chairman Kerrith Brown, said: “It has been a fantastic year for British Judo and alongside the achievements of our players, the Awards give us all a chance to recognise and celebrate the club volunteers, coaches, referees, officials and athletes who have achieved so much over the past year. It was an exceptional turn out and a very enjoyable event at a superb venue.

“All of the staff did an amazing job and it was a fantastic opportunity to meet up with friends and colleagues in a relaxed environment. Congratulations to all those nominated for this year’s awards. It is the time, dedication and committed hard work of all our volunteers that keeps our sport alive. Thank you to all of our sponsors including Perkins Slade, Westbrook, 21:12, Destination Judo, CSE, Cimac.”

2014 British Judo Award Winners

Young Referee of the Year

Gold: Nathan Gallacher, Samurai Judo Club

Silver: Tommy Ryan, Warrington Warjukwai Judo Club

Bronze: Amy Oram, Yate Star Judo Club

Bronze: Wyn Williams, Ifron Judo Club

 

Referee of the Year

Gold: David Stanley

Silver: Dan Harris, Pinewood Judo Club

Bronze: Ellis Wilkes, Bishop Challoner RC School JC

 

Official of the Year

Gold: Steve Wilkins, Edgewood Judo Club

Silver: Debbie Smethurst

Bronze: Peter Foster, Alness Judo Club

 

Young Volunteer of the Year

Gold: Rachel and Sarah Barrett, South Shields Judo Club

Silver: Ewan Baker, South Brent Judo Club

Bronze: Michael Yates, Northbrook Kyu Shin Kai

 

Event Volunteer of the Year

Gold: Karen French, Chichester Ronin

Silver: Tam Brown, Milton Judo Club

Bronze: Roy Francis, Aireborough & Wharfedale Judo Club

Bronze: Chris Riley, Cobra Judo Club

 

Club Volunteer of the Year

Gold: David Martin, Redcar Judo Club

Silver: Lisa Powell, New Cross Martial Arts Judo Club

Bronze: Paul Robinson, University of Nottingham Judo Club

Bronze: Georgie Lomas, Northampton Judo Club

 

Club Coach of the Year

Gold: Dave Cotterill, Bromsgrove Judo Kwai

Silver: Mark Scott, Renrukan Judo Club

Bronze: Sophie Cox, Bacup Judo Club

Bronze: Craig Capton, Tora Kai Judo Club

 

Volunteer of the Year

Gold: Steve Pullen MBE, Umston Judo Club

Silver: Peter Seymour, Kin Ryu Judo Club

Bronze: Adele Jones, Ryecroft Judo Club

Bronze: Andy Parton, Miramar Judo Club

 

Club of Year

Gold: Ryedale Judo Club

Silver: South Brent Judo Club

Bronze: South Shields Judo Club

Bronze: University of Nottingham Judo Club

 

Event Sponsors: