British Judo Supports “No Hate, Just Sport” Campaign
At British Judo, we believe that sport has the power to unite, inspire, and change lives. But for that power to truly take hold, every athlete, coach, and volunteer must feel safe, welcome, and valued.
That’s why British Judo is proud to stand alongside Wesport in supporting their new campaign, No Hate, Just Sport — a powerful initiative that calls on everyone in the sporting community to take a stand against discrimination and hate.
The campaign, launched this month, aims to equip people across all levels of sport with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to recognise, respond to, and report hate crimes and discrimination. It’s about making sure no one feels alone when they see or experience prejudice, and about creating sporting environments where everyone has the freedom to thrive.
Matt Walker, Sport Welfare Officer at Wesport, explains: “No Hate, Just Sport is about giving everyone involved in sport easy access to the guidance, training, and tools they need to spot discrimination and hate crimes when they happen. It’s also about helping them support the people affected, and report what has happened to the right people. Sometimes, calling out discrimination and hate crimes can feel daunting. This is about everyone realising that even the simplest interventions can make sure people feel safe, welcome and supported whilst taking part in sport.”
Representation matters deeply in sports like judo, and British Judo shares Wesport’s vision of a sporting landscape where young people from all backgrounds feel empowered to step onto the mat and be themselves. As Matt continues: “We envisage a sporting landscape where everyone feels empowered to take part without fear of being targeted because of their protected characteristic, knowing that they can trust the system around them to support them if they need. Hate hurts. Silence harms. Speak out.”
A major focus of the campaign is to encourage people to become active bystanders — those who are willing to step in, support others, and help address discrimination when they see it. “We want people to play an active bystander role in their clubs, at competitions, and in any spaces that they relate to their sporting journey,” says Matt. “This is all about knowing that addressing discrimination and hate crimes in sport doesn’t have to seem as scary as it may seem. Active bystander skills, like any other, require practice. Through our upcoming training, guidance and best practice, and the support of the Sport Welfare Officers at Wesport, we want clubs, athletes, coaches and volunteers to know they’re not alone. No Hate, Just Sport is here to help you along in this journey.”
National Governing Bodies like British Judo have a vital role to play in ensuring campaigns like this can succeed. Matt explains: “National Governing Bodies like British Judo play perhaps the most powerful role in supporting this campaign. Included within our suite of guidance is support tailored to National Governing Bodies so they can make sure their internal processes meet the latest best practice. We hope that all National Governing Bodies will take the time to read through this guidance and implement its findings.”
The campaign officially launched in Bristol on 15th October, marking the start of a long-term effort to make sport in the region a truly inclusive and hate-free space. Wesport is keen to work with local clubs and community organisations to bring No Hate, Just Sport to life across the South West.
Matt also expressed his thanks for British Judo’s role in supporting the campaign’s development: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the team at British Judo, particularly the Head of Inclusion, Safeguarding and Wellbeing, Andrew Bowly, and local Judo club member Rowan Kinsella, for all your support over recent months to develop No Hate, Just Sport. Collaboration between partners at every level is key to seeing culture change like this take place.”
Looking ahead, Matt says the vision for the campaign’s legacy is clear — a sporting landscape that is safe, inclusive, and confident in tackling discrimination head-on. “Our legacy for this pilot project is clear: we want to see sport at all levels foster inclusive environments and act with confidence and integrity when they need to address concerns. British Judo, its clubs, and its members can help by embodying our values, and our vision. We want to call people in. To National Governing Bodies and clubs that would like to talk, please get in touch. Hate hurts. Silence harms. Speak out.”
At British Judo, we’re proud to support No Hate, Just Sport and to work with partners like Wesport who share our belief that sport should be open to all. Respect is at the heart of everything we do — and together, we can make sure that every time someone steps onto the mat, they do so in an environment of dignity, inclusion, and trust. Because when we stand together, there truly is no hate — just sport.
Click here for more information about the initiative
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