One year on from judo’s immense success at Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, JudoScotland launched Scotland’s first girls-only judo programme, with support from Active East, Youth Scotland and Scottish Sports Futures. Sally Conway, Glasgow 2014 Bronze medallist, kick started the project hosting a session with a group of young females from pilot club GSB Judo.

The West of Scotland based programme, is designed to engage young females, a group at high risk of inactivity, through a 20 week judo programme. Research has highlighted that only 41% of girls aged 13-15 in Scotland meet the target of an hour’s physical activity a day. The sessions, developed from an award winning pilot, will focus on physical movement similar to dance, introducing judo gradually to maximize buy in. The sessions will also incorporate workshops to encourage a healthy lifestyle, from internet safety to healthy cooking.

Dougi Bryce, Chief Executive Officer at JudoScotland, said: “It is important to utilise the opportunities bestowed to us following the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Projects such as the West of Scotland Girl’s programme is just one way JudoScotland can harness that Legacy and implement real change”

Kirsty Partridge, Programme Manager with Active East said: “We are so excited about this partnership, how it has developed in the East of Glasgow and will be built upon in this new project. We are proud to have Active Champions involved in not only the content development for the girls who will be participating in these fun sessions but who will also be part of this next phase as paid youth work support. Increasing levels of physical activity is a major focus for us, particularly with girls and Judo is a fantastic sport to engage girls of all ages and all abilities”.

Emma Reid, Development Manager, Scottish Sports Futures said:  “SSF are delighted to be involved in this unique collaboration and look forward to learning and sharing best practice around engaging and retaining female participants.  JudoScotland have embraced the opportunity to widen access to the sport and allowing young people to take the lead will build a solid foundation for the future.  Scottish Government and Comic Relief recognise the potential for sport to positively impact a young person’s development and we welcome their support”.

Rebecca Simpson, Youth Active Manager at Youth Scotland, said “Youth Scotland is very excited about this partnership a year on from the Games. Working hard to improve the physical activity levels for girls and young women across Scotland in judo is an exciting and unique opportunity, and with Youth Scotland’s Girls on the Move project we are inspiring young women to pick up this sport and be active. The pilot programme has expanded to four sites across Glasgow, highlighting the importance of girls only sessions. We look forward to developing the programme across Glasgow and Scotland.”

The West of Scotland Girl’s Judo programme is keen to develop more than just female participation, it also aims to develop female coaches and volunteers. This approach has proven successful securing the development of the programme for the next three years, funded by a grant that is made under the Scottish Sports Relief Home and Away programme, helping to secure a legacy from the XX Commonwealth Games, and is 50% funded by the Scottish Government and 50% by Comic Relief. The success has also led to the development of five more female participation judo initiatives throughout Scotland.

If you would like to get involved in the Female Participation Judo Programme, please contact stephensomerville@judoscotland.com or call the JudoScotland Development Team on 0131 333 2981

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