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Following a comprehensive recruitment process, JudoScotland is delighted to announce Stephen Somerville has taken on the role of Disability Development Officer.

Stephen, who previously held the role of National Development Executive until 2019, will join the team on a part-time basis to develop our Adaptive Judo offering as part of our new Strategic Plan ‘Judo For All’.

The role of Disability Development Officer will lead the support and development of opportunities for people with disabilities to engage, progress and flourish in the sport of judo. Stephen will be responsible for creating and providing relevant development opportunities for the workforce to establish clear, transparent performance pathways across the JudoScotland and British Judo landscapes.

On his appointment, Stephen said, “I’m delighted to be back at JudoScotland in these very exciting times. My passion comes from Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo. As a judoka, you must contribute to society and that’s ingrained in our belief systems as you grow as a judo player. Too often people will say ‘They can’t do it’ but I think we have proven many times it doesn’t matter what your disability is you can always take part in some way.”

“There are many strands of pathways that people might not be fully aware of, from the Special Olympics to the Deaf Olympics.  I think most people will be aware of the Visually Impaired pathway as we’ve had success in the past with people like Sam Ingram (winner of two Paralympic medals), but there are many other pathways for judokas living with a disability.”

Talking about his immediate priorities in the role, Stephen added; “Gathering data is so important, and everyone needs to help us here as the more information we get from our membership the clearer our understanding of what we need to put in place. I think people tend to think we are being nosy when asking disability questions but we are asking it so we have a clear understanding of what the base level is and how we can best support Judoka.”

If you would like to discuss the landscape of disability Judo in Scotland further, you can contact Stephen at stephensomerville@judoscotland.com.

Charlie Strachan, of Tams Brig Judo Club, was presented with the JudoScotland Disability Coach of the Year award by JudoScotland’s Head of Business Delivery Tony Penfold. Upon receiving the national award, Charlie paid tribute to the rest of the Tams Brig team, including his wife and fellow coach Michelle Strachan who won the same award last year, stating: “This award was not just down to me. It was teamwork on a massive scale from JudoScotland, club coaches, parents and last but not least the athletes themselves. Everyone had a part to play and I am just very proud I could be the catalyst bringing all this together.

Charlie goes above and beyond in his approach to make Tam’s Brig Judo Club an inclusive and welcoming environment to all. The club has a diverse membership which includes members who have physical, leaning, and sensory disabilities. His dedication ensures that every member feels not only welcomed but truly valued, enabling them to fully engage in club activities and advance in their judo journey.

After presenting the award, Tony said: “From the minute I walked into the club Charlie told me about everything and everyone – except himself! Such humility was matched with immense pride in the club, all its members and their plans for the future. The buzz in Tams Brig Judo Club tells you how inclusive it is, everyone’s included, everyone’s involved and everyone’s having a great time – especially Charlie”.

Going beyond the expected, Charlie took the initiative to learn Deafblind Manual which is a way to communicate using touch only. His encouragement for others to explore this skill reflects his unwavering dedication to inclusive communication.

He adapts his coaching to allow judoka to feel a technique and ensures a thorough understanding of what is being done. He strongly believes in nurturing “home-grown” coaches, inspiring members of his club to start their own judo coaching journey. This has culminated in a diverse coaching workforce that supports Charlie’s drive to introduce judo to a wide range of individuals.

Charlie Strachan’s recognition as the JudoScotland Disability Coach of the Year highlights his commitment to fostering inclusivity at Tams Brig Judo Club. His forward-thinking approaches reflect his dedication to ensuring every member feels valued and supported.

By promoting internal coaching, Charlie creates a judo community where everyone can thrive. His leadership exemplifies the transformative impact of empathy and determination within sports, inspiring a legacy of inclusivity and excellence.

Chris Nicol, a dedicated member of Tam’s Brig Judo Club, has been recognised as JudoScotland’s Disability Coach of the Year and South Ayrshire Sports Awards Inclusion Coach of the Year. This incredible achievement highlights the outstanding work of Chris and his club in adapted judo—a commitment that has earned them the South Ayrshire award for an impressive three consecutive years.

As a Deaf-Blind Judoka, Chris is an inspirational leader, not only for the judoka he coaches at Tams Brig but also within the broader Scottish judo community. His dedication shines through his organisation and delivery of summer camps, showcasing his leadership and unwavering commitment to inclusivity.

A Level 1 Coach, Chris leads both junior and senior classes, earning praise for consistently delivering high-quality lessons. He has raised awareness of sensory impairments and demonstrated how local sports clubs can push boundaries and achieve remarkable outcomes. He also tailors sessions for children who have disabilities including team building activities that fully engage all students.

Mark McGarrie from Tams Brig said “I have trained with Chris for over three years, and he is truly one of the most technically skilled practitioners of the sport I’ve ever encountered—a walking encyclopedia of Judo, so to speak. His coaching reflects an exceptional level of detail and precision, whether he’s teaching kids or adults, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to the sport and his students.”

Head Coach Charlie Strachan reflected on his own experiences in judo, noting that whilst he been involved in judo since the 1960s, the last 5 years have seen a big change since Chris joined the club. Charlie and other members have embarked on their own development, embracing learning opportunities to enable them to enhance their support provision as they strive for ‘judo for all’.

JudoScotland CEO Judith McCleary shared, “Chris is a remarkable coach and individual who’s coaching approach ensures that everyone under his guidance has a positive experience in judo.  His passion for judo and dedication to his participants shine through, and it’s clear he has made a profoundly positive impact on both his club and the wider community.”

The JudoScotland Disability Coach of the Year Award celebrates a coach working with people with a disability, as part of the nationally recognised JudoScotland Coaching and Volunteering Awards. The award is made to an individual who has applied a person-centred delivery leading to successful performance and/or sustained participation of those taking part.