National Inclusion Weekend is a Huge Success

This weekend saw the British Judo Olympic and Paralympic National Training Centre host 2025’s National Inclusion Training Day, and the first time – a National Inclusion Conference.

The training day played host to judoka of all ages and levels of disability (physical, sensory, intellectual impairment and learning) with a packed timetable. The tatami was packed with some attendees doing judo for the first time alongside over 100 other judoka and coaches.

With the British Schools Championships for Adaptive and VI judoka on the horizon, this session provided perfect preparation.

The sessions were led by Kerry Tansey and Matt Rush, who have worked tirelessly over the years to promote Adaptive Judo in the UK. The day started with newaza drills before moving to a skills-based workshop. After a break for lunch judoka completed a strength and conditioning session, some fun circuit-based games and randori to finish.

Tansey said: “These National Inclusion days are hugely important to provide opportunities for judoka to thrive in their own environment. These sessions break down the anxieties to attending events and taking on new challenges, so they will have already met lots of people and trained alongside them prior to stepping up and competing at the British Schools Championships. It also ensures they always have a friendly face that they know and can talk to.”

The following day saw the National Training Centre open it’s doors for the first National Adaptive Judo Conference for all of the judo family with a focus around identifying two most common neurodiverse impairments within your clubs – ADHD, Autism – with over 30 coaches keen to expand their experiences, including British Judo legend, Neil Adams MBE.

Guest speakers shared their experience on each of the subjects supporting the coaching within your club, and a lunchtime chat with adaptive judoka Rowan Kinsella who spoke passionately about his experiences in the sport. Mat-based sessions followed to offer adaptations to be inclusive and technical proficiency for all members within their Judo clubs.

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