A new research project aimed at encouraging the participation and retention of young people in judo is to launch, marking British Judo’s focus on grass roots judo.

Engagement at a community level has been highlighted as the association’s key strategic target for the coming year, and activity will begin with a significant piece of new research to canvass the opinions of members and coaches about how best to encourage and maintain participation in the sport.

This major piece of independent research, in partnership with Sport England, will get the opinions from young judoka – both current and previous participants – and their parents as well as coaches to look at how British Judo might increase the numbers of young people of secondary school age who practice judo.

British Judo’s Chief Executive Andrew Scoular said: “Judo is a vibrant sport with over 20,000 active young participants, but as with all sports we face challenges in increasing levels of participation amongst these groups.

“Clubs and participants at a grass roots level are the lifeblood of the association and that is why we’ve made it a key focus to engage with these groups and really get under the skin of the key motivations and issues we face in the sport.

“This new initiative will help us to shape a strategic approach to how we can support our clubs to retain people in judo and encourage even more young people to take up the sport in future.

The consultation period will run throughout March 2014 and will focus on a set number of clubs and participants, the association is keen to collect views of people involved with the association more widely.

If you would like to contribute your views on how we might encourage more young people to participate in judo, researchers will be on the British Judo Merchandise Stand at the 2014 British Schools Championship at iceSheffield on Saturday 8th March. You can also submit your comments online at www.britishjudo.org.uk/yourviews

Alternatively please email matt.watkiss@britishjudo.org.uk with any feedback relating to this research. British Judo would like to know what you do at your club to retain this age group, the problems you face and any views you may have related strictly to this research.

The news comes as British Judo are set to launch a new marketing portal for British Judo clubs, allowing them to create a range of personalised marketing literature free of charge. More details will be available shortly.