British Judo are pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Divall to the role of Head of Performance Pathway.

The role will lead, develop, and maintain a judo performance pathway that identifies, nurtures and develops British judo athletes who have the potential to win medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games and other major senior championships.

Divall rejoins British Judo following a successful period working as Sport Manager for Commonwealth Games England, where he assisted the Chef de Mission team with planning for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games; a Games where Team England enjoyed its most successful Games, amassing a record-breaking medal haul of 176 medals – 13 of which came from England Judo.

Prior to working with Commonwealth Games England Divall enjoyed a 5-year spell at British Triathlon, working as England Pathway Manager. A role which saw him take responsibility for the management of regional academies and the respective lead coaches.

A former British international judoka and 3^rd Dan, Divall has extensive understanding of the British Judo Performance Pathway having initially joined the British Judo Association as England National Coach back in 2007 before his promotion to England Excel Coordinator and eventually England Programme Manager.

British Judo Performance Director, Nigel Donohue said: “We are delighted to welcome Matt back to the British Judo Association. Although he left in 2015, Matt has remained close to the British Judo World Class Performance Programme, particularly during his time at Commonwealth Games England and I look forward to working alongside him as we prepare our teams for the Paris and LA Games, and beyond.

“The Head of Performance Pathways plays an important role in our GB Judo system in connecting and supporting our Talent Pathways across the Home Nation programmes. The continued development of our next generation of fighters and the skills required to overcome the challenges that they will face as they transition through the pathway is fundamental to our future success. I have no doubt that Matt’s appointment, in collaboration with Coaches, Clubs, Areas, HN Programmes and the implementation of our Paris Strategy, will ensure that we will maximise our resources within our Pathway system, for continued Olympic and Paralympic Games success.”

Divall will officially take up his new role on 1^st October.

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