The women and girls in judo project focuses on creating environments to encourage the retention of female members (including special needs members). To do this we have created a Female Club Model. We provide the opportunity for female members to practice together at club, area and national levels and develop and promote models of good practice in all technical areas. We also deliver seminars and workshops to encourage good practice and create a positive image of judo through promotions and merchandise. The promotions we run highlight the excellent opportunities for women and girls to be active, healthy and successful within the sport of judo.
Project details Project duration: 01 April 2009 - 31 March 2010
Organisation:
British Judo Association
Project name:
Women and Girls in Judo
Audience All women
Innovation
The programme has changed the competitive grading scheme to a non-competitive scheme after decades which has made judo a more appealing sport for women and girls.
Recruitment and promotion
We recruited current members and promoted the new grading scheme through the British Judo Association (BJA) website, Matside Magazine, coach events and direct mail.
Location
How was your project delivered? JudoFunding
The women and girls in judo programme was funded by Sport England.
Partnership
We partnered with Positive Futures to deliver the programme to hard to reach groups.
Results
Lessons:
As we develop the programme we would like to recruit female coaches to develop and run the sessions at the regional level. We would also like to do some work with improving the attitude around female judo coaches. We would also like to promote this project more directly to potential coaches, and put in a coach development strategy.
Evaluation:
The project has been a great success as we have seen an increase in females grading. When you compare the numbers from 2007/08 to 2008/09, there is an increase of 35% in senior female players and 24% in junior female players.
Themes
Working with hard to reach groups
During the project we identified and encouraged clubs and officials who cater for people with disabilities through club development and providing them with an opportunity to compete and participate in special needs events. We also provided workshops for coaches on working with special needs players.
Tackling drop-off
We continue to identify and consult clubs who have a high percentage of female members. We advertise and utilise the development officers' contacts to spread the word at a club level.
Workforce development
We have organised and promoted events to promote female continual professional development (CPD), coach revalidation, UK coaching certificate (UKCC) and Instructors Awards for females only.
We are working with the volunteer section of the BJA to build models of good practise to encourage more female into refereeing and table officiating.
Promotion and marketing
We have begun a campaign to promote women and girls judo with new graphic designs for all of our promotional materials. We also set up stalls at all BJA's major events and send direct mail to members over the age of twelve.
We also email our contacts list and have been developing a Facebook page. BJA continues to use role models at area and national events and seminars. Will be developing resource booklet of successful British female judo players soon.
