Over the past 12 months, British Judo have evolved the World Class Performance Programme and Home Nations Coaching workforce.

Colin Oates is the direct lead for the Paris Olympic Men’s Programme and Jamie Johnson is the direct lead for the Paris Olympic Women’s programme. Additionally, Ian Johns will continue to lead the Paris Paralympic Programme and support the Men’s Programme whilst Simon Moss will support the Paris Olympic Women’s Programme.

The Men and Women’s programme operate independently at the British Judo Olympic and Paralympic National Training Centre (NTC) and run separate programmes, which all squad members are welcome to attend at any time.

Kate Howey has taken on the part-time National Training Centre Coach role, to ensure consistency of training for fighters who remain training at the NTC whilst GB Coaches are overseas with teams. Kate also supports the medical team with returning injured fighters when transitioning back onto the mat. This is further supported by Chris Barry – Performance Analyst Technical Coach, a unique and innovative position, who works directly with the Coaching Team in utilising our analysis systems by supporting debriefs, on the mat technical development and opponent analysis.

For the Paris cycle, we have restructured the U21 GB Elite Development Programme and contributed financially to the Home Nations to contract a GB Home Nation Elite Development Coach from each Home Nation programme.  Mark Earle (WAL), Jason Parsons (ENG), Sophie Cox (ENG) and Gary Edwards (SCO) oversee our GB U21 Elite Development Programme, with a focus on developing, selecting, and preparing teams for the Junior European, Junior World and European u23 Championships. They will also facilitate Home-Nation training camps at the National Training Centre to train with the Men and Women’s programmes, thus providing a more cohesive and connected performance approach across the pathway. The GB HN Elite Development Coaching Team will work in collaboration with the WCPP and GB Coaching Team to identify, prepare and enhance the transition of fighters to the WCPP for when they relocate full-time to the NTC.

Additionally, the GB HN Support Coach Development Programme began in 2022. Stephen Abberley, Chris Barry, Andy Burns, Lee Calder, Anna Maria Carbone, Samantha Chraniuk, Peter Douglas, Gary Gregory, Adam Hall, Danny Harper, Nicki Harris, Joseph Nunn, Nicole Nunn, Ben Quilter, Louise Renicks, Ben Urban and Simon Ward have fantastically supported GB squads at Cadet, Junior and Senior domestic and international training camps and competitions throughout the year. Additionally, we are investing in the development of these coaches, who are committed to our Elite Coach Development programme alongside gaining invaluable experience within the performance system.

Performance Director, Nigel Donohue said: “Post Tokyo, the review of the coaching structure was important to ensure that we could be more focussed on preparing our teams for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and by investing in Home Nation Programme Coaches and connecting with our club coaches within the pathway, ensures that we can be greater aligned and able to utilise the expertise across the UK in developing the next generation of fighters for LA 2028 and beyond. Additionally, by investing in coach development, not only are we also developing our next generation of fighters, but we are also developing the next generation of coaches who will ensure that British Judo has a long-term future and continued success.”

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