Keep up to date with our High Performance and National Squad Teams on our social media channels and follow along their journey as they compete around the globe representing Irish Judo!

IJA Performance Staff

Mr. Nathon Burns

National Performance Lead

nathon.burns@irishjudoassociation.ie

The National Performance Lead has responsibility for the IJA High-Performance Programme, strategic responsibility for the IJA Performance Pathway and has Lead Coaching responsibility for the IJA Olympic Programme. They drive the changes essential to the long-term success and continuing development of the High-Performance programme of the organisation and report to the IJA President.

Mr. Ben Fletcher

High Performance Coach

benjamin.fletcher@irishjudoassociation.ie

The High-Performance Coach services the coaching delivery for the 2028 Olympic Programme with the National Performance Lead and assists in delivery of the International Judo Federation Tour, including European & World Championships, Olympic Qualification programme, and the international training camps. They are required to prepare for the same and they report to the National Performance Lead.

Mr. Eoin Fleming

National Performance Coach

eoin.fleming@irishjudoassociation.ie

The National Performance Coach services the coaching delivery for the IJA Performance Programme with the National Performance Lead, and assists in delivery of the International Judo Federation and European Judo Union Tour programme, and the international training camps. They are required to prepare for the same, and they report to the National Performance Lead.

-To Be Announced-

National Pathway Performance Coach

admin@irishjudoassociation.ie

The National Pathway Performance Coach is responsible for Pathway delivery from the Talent Development Programme Recruitment right through to Cadet and Junior Programmes. They have strategic input into the Pathway Programme design with regards to the responsibility within this programme of delivery and report to the National Performance Lead.

Ms. Sami Smithson 

Operations Officer Performance Team

samantha.smithson@irishjudoassociation.ie

The Operations Officer administers clerical and logistical support to the IJA Performance Team and provides clerical support
regarding stakeholder engagement with Sport Ireland, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, the EJU and IJF with regards to the activities of
the IJA Performance Programme and reports to the National Performance Lead.

Performance Policies