Working together to develop and recognise your club

The British Judo Association Club Recognition scheme is a new initiative that is being introduced to recognise and reward examples of good practice within clubs that are promoting and delivering Judo. It will also spread best practice in management and coaching across the country.

An integral part of the BJA Recognition Scheme is the Sport England Clubmark - a scheme created in partnership with National Governing Bodies with the aim of accrediting sports clubs that are committed to providing a safe, effective and child-friendly environment for children and young people.

This is a huge step in allowing parents, carers and sports professionals to recognise an accredited club through a common branding regardless of the sport. It is important that clubs try and achieve the Clubmark through the BJA Recognition Scheme, as it will provide many benefits including:

• Promoting your club
• Having a recognised standard
• Increasing your membership
• Developing coaches
• Developing volunteers

Although the Sport England Clubmark specifically recognises clubs that work with children and young people, the BJA has developed its recognition scheme as a whole club development programme. This means that it is also relevant to those working with adults and is comprehensive regardless of the size of membership, status of facilities or how often they meet.

The Scheme has three levels, which are bronze, silver and gold. By working through the Scheme, it will enable a club to provide the best quality service to members, by creating a specifically trained workforce of coaches, officials and administrators. It will also ensure the club is best placed to work in partnership with other local agencies such as local authorities, to develop sustainable judo opportunities. The BJA believes this is the best way to lay the foundations for success at all levels up to international standard.

© Mike Varey/BJA

The BJA has worked with Sport England to line up the bronze level recognition with the Sport England Clubmark. This ensures that the standards the BJA has set for clubs working with juniors are consistent with those of other national governing bodies. This will also allow judo clubs to gain equal recognition in their community. A club could start off by attaining the bronze award, then work up towards and through the silver and finally reach the gold award criteria as the level of activity grows. Upon registering to be part of the scheme an information pack on both the BJA Club Recognition Scheme and the Sport England Clubmark will be sent out. This will include an application form and supplementary information on how to start working towards the first level of recognition.

Download the information sheet here (PDF File)