FOLLOWING on from the success of Judo Girls Rock in 2015, the Borders programme returned this autumn for a bigger and better second year, engaging 30 primary 4 to 7 children across two different clubs through a four week programme.

Building on the success of Outreach Judo (Peebles) programme last year, Focus Judo Club (Galashiels) joined the ranks to deliver the four week Judo Girls Rock programme.

Judo Girls Rock is designed to engage young females a group at high risk of inactivity, through girls only judo sessions designed to break down the barriers that many young females feel when participating in sport. Research has highlighted that only 41 per cent of girls aged 13-15 in Scotland meet the target of an hour’s physical activity a day.

Active Schools co-ordinator Paul Murray told us: “The judogirlsrock initiative has been a fantastic way to give primary aged girls a fun introduction to the sport of judo.

"The programme, run in partnership between Active Schools, JudoScotland and local judo club Outreach Judo, has given P4 to P7 girls in the Tweeddale cluster an opportunity to get active, have fun and learn the sport of judo in an all-girl environment where they feel comfortable.

"The project has been a big success and a number of the girls are now looking to take the next step and become a full member of the club.”

With the first four weeks under belt, both clubs are looking to the future to continue engaging young females in Judo, which in turn will help to increase levels of physical activity.

The success of the programme would not have been possible without the strong relationship between Live Borders, club and governing body.

Thomas Hardie, lead coach for Focus Judo, told us: “I have enjoyed delivering judogirlsrock class over the last four weeks.

!The girls have been enthusiastic learning basic throws and hold downs, and it has also given our young coach Billie Pflug gaining valuable experience by leading some of the girl’s classes.

"I would like to thank JudoScotland and Live Borders team, for all their help. Focus Judo are going to start a girls class every Wednesday from 7pm to 8pm.”

Phase two of judogirlsrock for primary 1 to 3 will take place at Outreach Judo from Wednesday, November 2 to Wednesday, November 23.

And it will be held at the Focus Judo Club Wednesday, November 16 to December 7.

Colin Aitken, Lead Coach for Outreach Judo, talking about the programme said; “This has been a really successful initiative which has been really enjoyable experience for all of us involved with the deliver. I can’t thank Paul Murray from active schools and Johnny Imrie, our RDO from JudoScotland enough for their support. We have a new batch of girls from p4-p7 now doing the sport of judo and I cannot wait for the start of phase 2 next week with girls from p1-p3.”

To find out more about how you can get involved and where your local Judo Girls Rock club is visit www.judoscotland.com.