Rick Kenney OBE 8th Dan

Rick Kenney started judo in 1963 at Motherwell YMCA. He competed for Scotland and GB as a junior and senior in the 1970s and was a multiple Scottish Champion and a British medallist. As a student and former BUCA Champion he competed at the World University Championships in 1971 and 1973. He is also a former GB Sambo Champion and freestyle wrestling medallist and competed at various international wrestling events.

He is a Level 3 coach and has an MBA degree and a PE qualification from the Scottish School of Physical Education, graduating with merit in 1974. Rick is a long serving Senior Examiner, kata examiner, referee, former Scottish men’s coach and team manager with over 40 years’ service.

He has been a Team Manager at 5 Commonwealth Games and was British Judo Team Manager from 2001 – 2004. A former Chair and CEO of Judo Scotland, he has been Vice President since 2012. Rick was also Vice President of the BJA from 1998 – 2004 and has also been President of Commonwealth Judo since 2013. He was Vice Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland from 1999 – 2007, sits on the Cross Party Group on Sport at the Scottish Parliament and is the current Chair of Scottish Club Sport. Rick currently coaches the Scottish Masters Judo training sessions.
He was awarded with an OBE for Services to Judo by the Queen in the 2020 Birthday Honours list and was promoted by the IJF to 8th Dan in 2022.