Stellar Coaching Lineup Wows Female Fighters Festival
March 02, 2026
Last weekend, over 100 women and girls from across the country came together at the British Judo National Training Centre in Walsall for another inspiring and empowering Female Fighters Festival.
Now firmly established as a key date in the calendar, the Festival once again delivered a weekend centred on connection, confidence and community — bringing together female judoka of all ages and grades in an environment focused on enjoyment, learning and shared experience.
Karen Roberts, Development Director reflected on how far the event has come:
“The Female Fighters Festival has been a programme that we’ve been running for quite a few years now and, since its inception, it’s just grown and grown and grown. It’s been a way of trying to engage the female judo community… It’s a really fun environment every year.”
“It’s not focusing on competition or fighting each other. It’s just focusing on having a good time and bringing everybody together to share in that.”
With many girls often one of only a handful of female athletes in their home clubs, the Festival provided a rare and powerful opportunity to step onto a mat filled entirely with fellow female judoka.
As Roberts added:
“Sometimes there may be fewer girls on the mat than there are boys. So it’s nice to come to an environment where you can connect with girls from all over the country, from lots of different clubs, and make friendships that last a lifetime.”
Across the weekend, that sense of belonging was clear — from first-time participants experiencing their very first judo session, to experienced competitors sharpening their skills alongside international medallists.
With the Commonwealth Games returning to Glasgow in 2026, this year’s coaching lineup showcased the strength and depth of British judo across the Home Nations. Former medallists Sally Conway, Megan Fletcher, Natalie Powell, Nekoda Smythe-Davis and Emma Reid completed a stellar and inspiring coaching team across the weekend.
Conway and Fletcher are former rivals turned best friends who combined their experience and friendship to create dynamic and engaging technical sessions.
“I was flying from Sweden last night, and I was really looking forward to this weekend and to see all these young girls enjoying their judo, trying and learning new things and just making new friends as well. Everyone who’s come here today has met somebody else, someone different and, who knows maybe a friend for life.”
“Me and Megan did a judo session together, which was an amazing experience because we were competitors, we’re very good friends… To have this with Megan today was just an amazing experience. The girls were having so much fun — it was great to see.”
Fletcher highlighted the importance of creating these shared experiences:
“I think it builds that confidence, new friendships… Everyone’s here to enjoy judo, to get better. They’re all having a great time and that’s what it’s all about.”
Roberts said of the line-up:
“It’s been an incredible year with our coaching line-up. Obviously it’s a Commonwealth Games year in 2026 and our coaching line-up really reflects that… These are all top, great British athletes, but also showing the pathway for the next generation.”
From energetic warm-ups and technical masterclasses to situational randori and shared stories from the international stage, last week’s Female Fighters Festival once again demonstrated the strength and spirit of women’s judo in Great Britain.
More than just a training camp, the Festival continues to provide a platform for confidence, connection and community — ensuring that every girl who steps onto the tatami feels supported, inspired and part of something bigger.
