Judo club is named the best in Scotland

Hamilton Judo Club’s Inclusion section has been named club of the year by Judo Scotland, completing a remarkable hat-trick of successes for the martial artists at the governing body’s annual community awards.

- JUDITH TONNER

The group was formed in 2019 to provide tailored additional support and disability sessions and has now grown to welcome more than 60 members each week to junior and senior classes, as well as running female-only classes, creating a community development programme and helping volunteers to achieve coaching qualifications.

Club members were presented with their prestigious award by Judo Scotland disability development officer Stephen Somerville-making it their third honour of this year's awards, after coaches Simone Hamill and Antony Martin respectively won the volunteer and disability coach of the year titles.

Judo Scotland said: "Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion’s dedicated coaches encourage participants while parents and carers are welcomed into a breakout area next door.