It’s that time of year (which seems to have come all too quickly), where we reflect on what has happened in 2022…
Coming out of the shadow of Covid19 wasn’t easy, but I have to commend all of our clubs on their resilience, the resolve they showed and the reflection of how quickly returned to the mats showing the love for Judo and the members.
Thank you.
Multiple things have happened, the return to competition, an awards dinner, our pathway squad and academy growing in strength and numbers, a unity weekend and many other events in and out of clubs across the country.
It’s thanks to you…
However, these things don’t just happen. They take time, but most importantly they take people and my debt of thanks, and that of the Board and all of the team is very much owed to you all.
Coaches, parents, board members, carers, volunteers, the club members, the officials, everyone behind the scenes that make the Northern Ireland Judo Federation work, and one that we should all be proud to be a part of.
2022 was a learning curve for us and the impact of the pandemic has changed our strategic approach, we plan to bring Judo very much forward in the next few years and directly support our clubs and their members as best we can in 2023 and with the challenges we all face within it.
Moving forward…
We have applied for additional funding support for our grassroots elements, we are releasing an uplifted brand feel to showcase Judo, we have a budget to actively market our clubs for growth and are pro-actively in an outreach initiative.
Our membership system is in the midst of improvement and we will move to a digital membership shortly in the New Year in turn reducing our carbon footprint and plastic usage.
As well as that, our Coaching Conference returns and I hope to catch up with everyone there, if I don’t get the chance beforehand.
So the only thing for me to say again is thank you.
Your support is appreciated and may I take this chance to wish you all, our Judo friends near and far a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.