The Ippon Squad is Jidel Judo, first step in our Talent Development Programme. First of all the player is identified through hard work and effort by the coaching staff during their Judo class. Once the player has went through this identifying process, we will then exam their attitude during the Obi Tournaments and their skill during the club grading process.

 With Judo Sotlands plans to introduce a 3 tier pass system, pass only, pass with merit or a pass with distiction, the club grading will begin to paly a bigger role in the selection policy for the Ippon Squad. The head coaches of Jidel Judo believe that once the Ippon Squad has had a couple of years to establish itself it will play a vital roll in forming Jidel future talent development programmes, such as Jidel Judo Academy Programme and before you know it within a few years the club is launching its third development stage by feeding our little acorns into Institute programmes, which should always be linked to study a programmes for a well rounded world class athlete.

REMEMBER:-

Below is a typical yearly programme, but remember 100% particiaption is not essential. Many of our older members have to balance the Ippon Squad with other squads,like Scottish and GB Judo Sessions, National and International Events, other sports and most importantly school studies, you should however, aim to do as much as possible.

8 Ippon Squad Session

4 Jidel Obi Tournaments

3 Jidel Club Gradings

2 Pro Judo Torunaments

Scottish Mini Mon Championships

Scottish Age Band Championships

British Age Band Championships

UK School Games Trails/ UK School Games (UKSG)

European Cadet Championships -17 (ECC)

European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF)

Note some events have different criteria and age restrictions. The British Age Band have a selection process, outwith the hands of Jidel Judo. The age and grade restriction are set by British Judo Assocation.The BJA have also set the qualifying process wich is overseen by Judo Scotland our 2 National Governing Bodies. The medal winners at the Scottish Age Band Championships in age band B and C will represent Scotland at the British Age Band Championships held in Sheffield.

As for the UKSG under UK sports guidlines the BJA set the age restrictions but Judo Scotland along with Scottish Institute of Sport coaching staff for Judo, set the qualifying process.The UKSG has been great for Jidel Ippon Squad, not only has Emma Imrie won back to back Gold medals, she was also asked to be the first ever UKSG Champion Ambassador for the Sport of Judo. This has lead to Emma meeting the Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP and Gordon Brown our Prime Minister. She was also selected from all the other Ambassidors from different sports to make the Athletes Oath at the opening cermony at  Bath University 2008.

In the sprite of Judo and the Championships, Emma will not compete in the 2009, opening up these wonderful opportunities to other young Scottish Judo Players. Jidel Ippon Squad have also a range of other medals at this event including more Golds. This event has been a steping stone to our sucess at British -20 Championships including Christopher Waddell (Ninja) Gold 2008. Along with the ECC and the EYOF. Jidel Ippon Squad has been the starting point for most of our top players international -20 experiences.

ECC and EYOF have a similar selection process thoughout the Judo and Jidel Judo is one of only a few clubs who fully understand how these policies work and what events we need to be at, giving the Jidel Judo Players a massive advantage. All though this may seem far fetched over the last 3 years we have had 11 Judo players invlolved in this process and many have went on to represent team GB at the World School Championships, EYOF were a bronze medal was won and the ECC. The same Judo players have went on to represent team GB at the European and World -20 Championshipswith the best result being a 5th place (beat for bronze) in Thialand at the - 20 World Championships in 2008.

Is it not wonderful what one extra (Special) training session per month can develop into?