A range of competitions for special needs are set to take place over the next few months and there is still time to register for an international tournament in Ravenna, Italy taking place from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 May (closing date 30 April).

Special needs players will be in action over the Easter weekend as various clubs compete in Beverwijk, Holland on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 April. Last year the juniors and senior GB squad came away with several medals. Whilst there is no official GB squad going this year, there is still a small window to register for the Ravenna event, but you must apply before the closing date.

We are hoping to organise a GB team. Anyone interested should contact Ken Thorne, one of the senior coaches on 07463 11 55 17 or email him on ken.THORNE@oxinst.com.

More events taking place in England and Scotland

If you are inspired by these events and want to get involved on a domestic level, more exciting events are planned into the calendar, and we are always keen to see talent from new players.

The East of Scotland Physical and Intellectual Disability Judo Open Championships 2014 are set to take place at the Craigswood Sports Centre in Livingstone on Saturday 26 April 2013.

Entry for the East of costs £15 and must be received by Saturday 19 April. Players must be a minimum of eight years-old and there are several categories across junior and senior mediums with no upper-age limit.

Please make cheques and postal orders payable to East Scotland Special Needs Judo (ESSN) and send your entries to East of Scotland Physical and Intellectual Judo Group, 81/7 Murrayburn Park, Edinburgh, EH14 2PS.

For details on entry and to download an application form click here. Any problems contact Jo on 07411722240 or email jo@jideljudo93.com. Alternatively contact Janice on 0131 453 1269 (evenings) or email: janicejudo74@btinternet.com

Hot on the heels of this follows the Bupa Disability Charity Open that takes place at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell on Sunday 8 June 2014.

The competition is being organised on a voluntary basis and entries cost £19. All money raised is being matched by Bupa Health Care and donated to Children 1st.

The entry form can be downloaded here. Cheques and postal orders for the Motherwell competition must be received by Friday 30 May to: ‘JudoScotland’. Only entries with payment will be accepted and can be submitted to www.Judoscotland.com or by post at JudoScotland, EICA – Ratho, South Platt Hill, Newbridge, EH28 8AA.

Special Needs Championships

Later in the year, Hampshire will also be hosting the Special Needs Championships on Sunday 6 July 2014 at the Mountbatten Leisure Centre in Portsmouth.

The event is open to judo players aged eight and over.

For details contact the Special Needs Co-ordinator at Hampshire Judo, C/O Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy, Jays Close, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG22 4BA. More info available here or email specialneeds@hampshirejudo.org.uk for an entry form.

Coaching disabled players in sport 

A judo specific coaching disabled players in sport event will take place on Saturday 2 August from 10am until 2pm at Brecklands Leisure Centre, Croxton Rd, Thetford, IP24 1JD.

This is a revalidation event taking place in the Eastern area and is free to Eastern area coaches. It is £15 for everyone else. There will be another chance for those who missed this on Saturday 29 November from 10am.

This is also £15 to take part. Please find details on how to apply on the events calendar. Click here and here.

Also coming up

This year’s Schools Special Needs competition will take place on Saturday 13 September at Samurai Judo Club in Kidderminster, and details of the British Nationals Championships are being finalised and likely to take place in November. More information will be published as it becomes available.

Get in touch

Please let us know about these events. We are really keen to promote the excellent work being done in Special Needs at home and abroad and if you let us know we can publicise it.

Anyone who is planning a special needs or disability event that you would like promoting, please send the details to event.calendar@britishjudo.org.uk , copying in communications at communications@britishjudo.org.uk

Photo provided by Suzi Kirkpatrick, one of the GB junior coaches.

Some of the members of the Junior GB SN squad from last year’s international event.

Words by Donna Richardson.