As we welcome the new year, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the positive changes and exciting developments that lie ahead in 2025. In the realms of education and judo, there are numerous initiatives and trends to look forward to. Kristiina PEKKOLA, Vice President for Education at the European Judo Union, shares her vision for the future, highlighting key goals and aspirations. From promoting inclusivity in judo, continuing the development of Judo4Children, to Kata and Safe Falls, the goal is to embrace the innovative educational practices, 2025 promises to be a year of growth and progress.
Promoting Inclusivity in Judo
We want to emphasise the importance of making judo accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or ability. The Education Sector aims to introduce more inclusive programmes and initiatives to ensure that judo can be enjoyed by a wider audience.
Strengthening Educational Programmes
We plan to enhance the educational aspects of judo, focusing on developing comprehensive training modules for coaches and athletes. This includes integrating modern teaching methods and technologies to improve learning outcomes.
Strengthening International Collaboration with International Judo Federations
We are keen on building stronger ties with judo federations across Europe and globally, promoting cultural exchange and mutual learning. This will help in sharing best practices and elevating the standards of judo education in Europe and global.
Positive Outlooks for Education in 2025:
Adapted Judo
On the 18th and 19th of January, an Adapted Judo Workshop with National Federations will take place in Budapest. The main topics will include; a review of the adapted judo rules, including Kata rules and discussions on eligibility criteria for competitors. Already 16 National Federations have registered for the workshop and more are encouraged to be involved.
At least three Get Together events in Velika Gorica, Gdansk and potentially Paris are planned which will be followed by the European Championships in Kata on the 31st May and 1st June in Riga, Latvia. The European Open II Championships will be organised in in Italy this year after a successful debut in Venray in 2024. To encourage and empower more coaches, there will be a ‘Coach and Referee Education’ online course.
ERASMUS+
We are very proud of our Erasmus+ projects. An Erasmus+ project is part of the Erasmus+ programme, which is the European Union’s initiative to support education, training, youth, and sport in Europe. The programme aims to promote learning mobility, cooperation among organisations, and policy development. The following Erasmus + projects in European Judo Union together with National Federations will continue; Safe Combat, JOY Meeting, Kata Autism and DATA meeting.
KATA
The formalised patterns of movements in judo play a crucial role in preserving the traditional techniques and principles of the sport. The European Judo Union has been actively working to promote and develop Kata across Europe, ensuring that this essential aspect of judo continues to thrive. The Kata events provide a platform for judoka to showcase their skills and gain recognition for their expertise.
Workshops and Seminars: The EJU conducts workshops and seminars led by experienced Kata instructors. These sessions offer judoka the opportunity to learn from experts, refine their techniques, and deepen their understanding of kata.
Educational Resources: The EJU provides a range of educational resources, including instructional videos, manuals, and online courses. These materials are designed to support judoka in their Kata practice and help them achieve higher levels of proficiency.
Certification Programmes: To ensure high standards in Kata practice, the EJU offers certification programmes for both practitioners and instructors. These programmes validate the skills and knowledge of judoka, promoting excellence in Kata.
Kata Competitions: The EJU organises regular Kata competitions at various levels, from local to international; Pordenone, Italy, Radom, Poland, Madrid, Spain, Maintal, Germany and Fatime, Portugal. The European Championships will be held in Riga, Latvia, May 31st and June 1st.
In the year 2025, the EJU Kata Commission will cooperate closer with the IJF Kata Commission and events.
Judo4Children
Judo4 Children work with two pathways of children’s development: Firstly looking at Judo for Children in the federation clubs and secondly, Judo for Children in school projects and programmes.
In 2025 the plan is to hold two types of events in this area: Steering Group round tables; up to 3 online events to hold each for month of the year. The Steering Group is composed by the appointed representatives of national federations and partners of the Judo for Children’s commission that regularly participate in this event and that are consultants of the action plan of the commission’s initiatives. An Annual Round table or Judo for Children’s Seminar is to be held in an in-person and online event, during the Judo Festival or similar EJU activity, with the possibility of presenting projects in this field and to discuss the plans for this.
EJU Kids Camp
The EJU Kids Camp will be held during the Senior European Championships in Montenegro and a similar event such as the Judo Festival. This includes;
- A five day camp during the EJU Championships or Judo Festival
- Participation of two Commissioners and two top athletes.
- Merchandising – Diploma and t-shirt, autographed flyer and programme
- Morning judo session and pedagogic activities for kids, plus one coaching workshop on judo values
- An opportunity to attend the Senior European Championships.
The EJU Judo & Fan Camp is to be held depending on the national federations application according to the EJU calendar and outlines. This includes;
- Three day camp in national federations settings or EJU events
- Participation of one commissioner and one top athlete.
- Merchandising – Diploma and t-shirt plus autographed flyer and programme.
- One or two judo sessions a day plus pedagogic activities for kids, as well as one coaching workshop on judo values.
Come with us and let’s train Champions for Life!
Safe Falls Project
Building upon the online application, the EJU has supplemented the Safe Falls programme with interactive game play and exercise formats, tailored specifically for children and adolescents.
By integrating judo techniques and training methodologies, the programme not only enhances physical fitness but also cultivates essential skills such as balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. Through engaging activities and structured training sessions, participants learn how to protect themselves from falls while fostering a sense of confidence and empowerment.
IT Platform
We now have a one-stop digital dojo for growth, learning, and inspiration!
With these positive outlooks and initiatives, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for both education and judo. By embracing inclusivity, enhancing educational programs, and fostering international collaboration, we can look forward to a year of growth and development in these fields.
Author: Thea Cowen