As part of National Inclusion Week, we are highlighting the power of recognition and empowering our colleagues. Tim Ellis was recently given the opportunity to progress his career at British Judo as he took on the role of Head of Performance Operations.

Tim Ellis officially started his new role earlier this month and is now responsible for overseeing the operational delivery of GB Judo activities, as well as leading the culture within the GB Judo programme – ‘The GB Judo Way’ – Ellis is also responsible for the development of all coaches and staff.

Ellis previously held the role of Performance Pathway Manager and oversaw the transition of judoka from the Home Nation Pathway Programmes onto the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP).

Under Ellis’ leadership, the GB Judo WCPP revolutionised the onboarding process for judoka joining the Olympic and Paralympic National Training Centre. Judoka joining the programme are fully supported with their transition with areas such as lifestyle, nutrition and wellbeing all being provided to judoka as part of a wider support package aimed at supporting judoka as a whole.

Ellis liaised with coaches to create a better connection between club coaches and the GB Judo WCPP in addition to formalising the selection procedures and the way judoka are selected for WCPP.

Ellis also oversaw the England Programme and its judoka return to play following the Covid pandemic. Specifically using the Elite Athlete Exemption programme and the protocols enforced by the GB Judo WCPP, Ellis was able to safely manage the return of over 100 England Programme judoka.

One of Ellis’ final roles as Performance Pathway Manager was to lead Team England Judo at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. As Team Leader Ellis led Team England to the top of the judo medal table with the team winning 13 medals (5 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze).

As part of his new role, Ellis will also oversee the Paralympic Programme and will lead the team at the Paris Paralympic Games.

Speaking about the new role, Ellis said: “I am really excited for this new role with British Judo, particularly continuing the fantastic work by Karen Roberts within the culture of the WCPP, GB/HN Coach Development Programme as well as working more closely with the Paralympic Team in the build up to Paris within the new categories.”

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