The Irish Judo Association Adaptive Judo Commission operates as a national program in a process of development. This program aims to promote judo for all: The first objective is to educate & assist coaches to receive any person with a disability in their club, the second objective is to promote the Olympic sport of judo for all and the third objective is to introduce judo to the different organisations associated with disability programmes.
Judo is one of the few inclusive sport which is suitable for a wide spectrum of disabilities including:
Gemma Reynolds spoke to us in the Irish Judo Association about what she hopes to achieve in her new role as the chair of the Adaptive Judo Commission – “I have been involved in judo for 23 years, competing at national and international level for Ireland. I am now a level 2 coach at Yamakwai Judo Club and am the Head Coach at Inspire NI which is one of Irelands only disability specific clubs. I have taken on this role to progress adaptive judo in Ireland increasing the numbers of adaptive players joining judo and enjoying the sport. This will begin at grassroots, fundamental stage and hopefully progress. A massive focus will also be on coach education to make coaches more aware, adaptive and educated when it comes coaching adaptive judo so it is done in a positive way. I am very excited to get started on this role.”
Check out the latest results and photos from the British Open Adaptive and VI Judo Championships 2023 where the Irish Judo Team took home 6 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals –