Purchasing this ticket offers access to the both days of the Coaching Conference as well as a multi-buy saving!

Please note the venues will be the Longtower for day one and Lisburn Racquets Club for day two.

Saturday 25th February – Day 1

Join us on the mats of the Longtower, as Nigel Donohue from the BJA takes us through what it takes to join the a performance team, compete at the top level and gives us an insight into what it takes, to make a club player into an international competitor.

He’ll also expand on his role as the Performance Director to show us on the mats how to improve our own coaching and analysis of players at all levels of club standard as well.

You will then have the chance to quiz both Nigel and Matt Divall (Head of Performance Pathway at the BJA) on all things Judo and development.

Then in the afternoon…

How would you like to learn from a 3 x Olympic medallist and a 5 x World Champion!

We are delighted to let you join us in a masterclass from Yoko Tanabe.

Yoko needs no introduction in the world of female Judo and we are delighted she is joining us in the Longtower to showcase her skills and competition winning techniques and mindset. In turn she will be helping us all learn how to execute the techniques that made her one of the most successful competitors in her time.

You will not want to miss this!

What you need to do and have:

• Please arrive 20 minutes early for registration
• A clean Judogi to change into
• Plenty of water
• Snacks if required
• Pad and pen for notes (if required)
• Your valid NIJF licence

What’s included:

• A light lunch will be included as part of the day

Sunday 26th February – Day 2

Join us in the function rooms of the Lisburn Racquets club for a day of learning and education to assist our delivery of and uplift our skillsets.

Our first speaker

Starting our day of learning will be Jo McParland.

Jo is from Cara Friend, and will be educating us on the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.

Her presentation will involve how to understand the impact of diversity, and the various terminologies in society.

Jo will also cover identity, how to approach identity and also the implications and having an understanding of a person who is “coming out”.

Our second speaker

Matt Divall, Head of the BJA Performance Pathway will deliver a presentation on the hajime and matte model of Judo.

So from gripping, positioning and how to complete techniques into ippons or transition into newaza, the best ways to coach your players and see their skills grow in a framework

In turn, the understanding of the techniques, set up and application of tachi waza and ne waza will assist with growth and understandning mentally, and also in turn improve retention of players through a development of skills on the mat.

Then in the afternoon…

We get on the mats, but only in loose clothing!

James Mulroy from Judo Assist Ireland is going to lead a session on Adaptive and Inclusive Judo. Opening our minds, then our club doors to the power that Judo has to make everyone welcome.

He will also keep us up to date with learning techniques and skills to help adaptive players we have and support their varied needs.

To complete the day, you will have the chance to network with the panellists, the other coaches and attendees to create links and ask questions.

What you need to do and have:

• Please arrive 20 minutes early for registration
• Please wear loose comfortable clothing you can move around in
• Plenty of water
• Snacks if required
• Pad and pen for notes (if required)
• Your valid NIJF licence

What’s included:

• A light sandwich lunch will be included as part of the day
• This will be counted as one day of a revalidation event for coaching credentials

Please note, the event is limited to numbers and priority will be given to club coaches. However, club volunteers and officials are also welcome to attend the session.