British Judo is hosting a National Inclusion Training Day at the British Judo Centre of Excellence at the University of Wolverhampton in Walsall on Saturday 7 February and invites players of all disabilities to come along.

The day will include masterclasses by Paralympian and world medallist Ian Rose as well as visiting Japanese judo star Ikumi Tanimoto; the -63kg All Japan Champion and World Cup gold medallist.

Commonwealth medallist and Junior World Champion Jodie Myers as well as world junior medallist Ebony Drysdale, Chair of the British Judo Association and former Olympian Kerrith Brown will also be on hand during the day.

Help and advice will also be on hand from members of the BJA’s Inclusion Commission and staff can advise on coaching and competitions. Any player with a disability is welcome to find out about the pathways to join and to develop in the sport from grass roots up to high performance.

One session will look at delivery to coaches and players, working with special needs players and teaching them judo skills and then referees and table staff working with both players and coaches to help put their competition skills to all players and coaches and some of the under eight players will test their skills in competition skills in fighting too.

The day will give players the chance to train on the same mat as the country’s top judo players. This will start with a warm up for children under eight, lower level 3 to 5+ novice players, followed by skills training for level 3 level 4 + novice lower level players. Club coaches and the wider coaching team will all support the level 3 to 5 + novice players.

Paralympic silver medallist Ian Rose will be on hand to inspire anyone who wants to take up this Olympic sport as a recreational hobby, and as a pathway to compete in future Paralympic Games.

London 2012 Paralympic Referee Dave Stanley, who works with the International Blind Sports Association ( IBSA), the world governing body for VI Judo as an international visually impaired referee will be on hand to answer any technical questions. Dave is only British referee to attend all the world championhips and games and two Paralympics in Athens and London. He was appointed to the IBSA world refereeing Commission in 2014, that helps and trains Paralympic referees from all over the world.

Peter Blewett Chairman of the Budokwai, based in central London will also be in attendance as well as Sara Hayes who heads the Inclusion Commission, British Judo’s inclusion coordinator Steve Westlake and Technical Officer Kerry Tansey, who works closely with coaches of disabled players as a coach and mentor will also be on hand to answer any questions.

Sara said: “We are looking forward to a packed and varied day, bringing together everyone with an interest in inclusive judo, from inexperienced players and coaches to the country’s top national and international players and officials. The day will promote the message that judo is for everybody, and provide an opportunity for the players to get together and have a lot of fun.” Open to all levels of Visually Impaired players, people with disabilities and special needs; under 8s, Junior and Senior players, Coaches,

Referees and table officials plus the British Inclusion Commission team will be running this training day.

The deadline for entries has been extended for anyone who wishes to participate. Anyone who wishes to attend the day should visit https://bja.platform81.com/events/british-inclusion-training-day to sign up. 

Email Steven Westlake on bradleystokejudoclub@blueyonder.co.uk or sarahayesjudo@gmail.com to register your interest.

Words by Donna Richardson.