The last two years have not been the easiest of times for Judo and Judoka, and certainly some of the toughest that I can remember.

Russell Brown N.I. Judo Chairman

However, we have shown strength and resilience and as newly appointed Chairman I would like to extend my thanks, and that of the Boards for everyone who supported us over the difficult times.

It has given us time to reflect, to galvanise, and the recent survey answers are assisting us with our foresight for the future and understanding how we can all support each other.

As the outlook again looks unsteady with the raising of Omicron, it’s times like this we need to pull together to weather the storm.

Not only on the mats and in our clubs, but in immediate times with our family and friends over the festive season.

Judo will be moving forward in 2022, and I’ll be telling you more about this early in January, but for now I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and offer every best wish for the New Year.

Here’s to us all being back on the mats together, the sound of “Ippon”, the seeing of smiling faces and making Judo a force for everyone in Northern Ireland.

Best regards,

Russell