#FightLikeAGirl: Empowering the Next Generation of Female Judoka
February 23, 2026
At the British Judo Association Annual Technical Conference at the end of 2025, one statistic immediately stood out to Daniel Hankinson, Head Coach at Keidokwai Judo Club Blackpool:
Only around 24% of registered British Judo members are women
While judo continues to thrive across the UK, this figure highlighted a clear challenge — and an opportunity — to do more at club level to encourage, support and retain female participants in the sport.
That message was reinforced later in the year at the UK Coaching Awards Evening 2025, where Daniel attended an inspirational roundtable discussion focused on the experiences of female coaches. The conversation explored the challenges women face in coaching, the importance of amplifying women’s voices, and the unique benefits female coaches bring to sport.
From these experiences, the #FightLikeAGirl programme at Keidokwai Judo Club Blackpool was born.
Keidokwai Judo Club Blackpool has a long-standing tradition of developing young judoka and providing opportunities within the local community. Through school programmes and club sessions, Daniel and the coaching team have worked with hundreds of girls over the years, many of whom show a real passion for judo.
Recognising this strong foundation, Daniel believed the club was perfectly placed to launch a female-driven initiative — by women, for women — that would both celebrate existing female members and create clear development pathways for the future.
The first #FightLikeAGirl event at Keidokwai Judo Club Blackpool was designed around three key goals:
To celebrate female players and women in sport within the club
To raise awareness of the benefits of judo and increase local female participation
To develop female-led coaching and create visible role models in a supportive, motivating environment
The inaugural session was delivered by Keidokwai’s own Kanji Coaching Assistant, 15 year-old Amber Grand. Amber has aspirations of becoming a professional coach in the future, and the #FightLikeAGirl programme provided her with a valuable opportunity to take her first steps into a leadership role.
With encouragement from Daniel and the club’s Welfare Officer, Amber was trusted to lead the session, develop her coaching skills, and act as a role model for younger female judoka. The environment was intentionally positive, supportive and empowering — allowing confidence and leadership to flourish.
By creating opportunities for older female players to coach their peers, Keidokwai Judo Club Blackpool hopes to address a challenge seen across many sports: teenage girls leaving sport too early. Instead, the club aims to retain young women within judo while inspiring the next generation of female coaches from within its own membership.
The feedback from players and parents following the launch of #FightLikeAGirl has been overwhelmingly positive. Many highlighted the importance of seeing female leaders on the mat and the confidence it gave younger participants to continue their judo journey.
The launch was also timed to align with the upcoming British Judo Female Fighters event, allowing Keidokwai to signpost inspired players toward further opportunities within the British Judo Association pathway.
For Daniel, #FightLikeAGirl represents more than a single session — it is a reflection of Keidokwai Judo Club Blackpool’s commitment to inclusivity, development and long-term growth.
By investing in female participation and female-led coaching at grassroots level, the club hopes to play its part in shifting the national picture and ensuring judo remains a sport where everyone can thrive.
At Keidokwai, the message is clear: the future of judo is stronger when women and girls are empowered — on and off the mat.
Click here for more information British Judo’s Female Fighters’ Festival taking place this weekend
