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The British Judo Association
(BJA) has become the first National Governing Body to sign a Memorandum
of Understanding with Special Olympics Great Britain
– the country’s largest everyday sports training and competition
programme for children and adults with learning disabilities.
The Understanding sets out a common framework for the two national
organisations to develop and promote the sport of Judo for people
with a learning disability.
British Judo CEO Scott
McCarthy said:“The word " do " in judo
means the way or path ; this partnership
with Special Olympics GB will lead to an enlightened pathway to
well-being for learning disabled athletes, our coaches, and volunteers.
Judo started 130 years ago next year – it seems only fitting to
kick-off this agreement with Special Olympics GB during the 2012
Olympic Year.”
Karen Wallin, Special Olympics GB
Chief Executive, added:“This is a real milestone
for Special Olympics; it is the first time we have ever signed
a Memorandum of Understanding with a National Governing Body of
Sport. judo is a great one-on-one sport for our athletes and with
the BJA’s support we hope to expand our Judo programme dramatically.”
Special Olympics GB
Judo was started 17 years ago by current Special Olympics GB Technical
Advisor and BJA coach Paul Everest of Hastings. He started disability
judo to engage his learning disabled and isolated foster brother
James.
Highlights of
the Memorandum of Understanding:
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All
Special Olympics GB training and competition will take place
under the auspices of the BJA and its club network
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Special
Olympics GB will provide support and guidance to the BJA in
promoting judo for people with a learning disability
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Special
Olympics GB will help to establish the sport of judo within
the international Special Olympics movement in 180 countries
with 3.5 million learning disabled athletes worldwide.
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The
BJA agrees to continue to actively seek to increase the number
of people with a learning disability participating in the
sport of judo and provide opportunities for judo players of
all abilities in coaching and competition programmes
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Each BJA club and
its affiliate wishing to provide Judo for people with learning
disabilities will become an accredited Special Olympics GB
programme
For more information
on Special Olympics GB please visit www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk
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