A Message from the Board: Thank You for an Outstanding 2025

Thank you for being part of our judo community in 2025.

You Made This Year Remarkable

Whether you're a beginner who just earned your first belt, a competitor who stepped onto the mat at your first tournament, a coach who guided others, a parent who supported from the sidelines, or a lifelong judoka still training—you are why we do this work.

This year, our community of nearly 1,200 members across 40 clubs demonstrated what makes Queensland judo special.

On the Competition Mat

Our competitive landscape thrived in 2025 with 469 competitors at our SEQ Regional Competitions and 158 young judoka at our Futures Cups events. Queensland athletes continue to punch above their weight nationally, representing 38% of the national Cadet Squad, 21% of the Junior Squad, and athletes in U23 and Senior programs.

On the Development Path

The growth of our technical standards has been equally impressive. This year saw 25 judoka achieve Dan Grade promotions from Shodan to Yondan, while 45 coaches were accredited or re-accredited to maintain our high coaching standards.

In a particularly exciting development, we now have 61 judges registered for Kata competition—a record for Queensland. Additionally, 40% of our referees are now at National standard, ensuring quality officiating at all levels of competition.

These achievements started with you showing up to training, supporting your clubs, and committing to the journey.

What Your Membership Supports

Your Judo Queensland membership does more than give you access to training and competition. It supports quality coaching, ensuring your instructors have the training and support they need. It provides safe training environments through insurance, member protection, and qualified first aid coverage. It creates competition opportunities from local Futures Cups to state representation.

Your membership also funds development pathways from white belt to black belt, recreational to elite, and supports community programs like our upcoming 'Judo Her Way' initiative with $56,000 invested. We provide regional support through donated equipment and coaching clinics for remote clubs, and facilitate your progression through grading opportunities, coaching courses, and referee development.

Thank You

To our young judoka, thank you for your enthusiasm, your courage, and your commitment to learning. Watching you grow both on and off the mat is why we do this.

To our competitive athletes, thank you for representing Queensland with pride, for pushing your limits, and for inspiring others to chase their own goals.

To our recreational members, thank you for choosing judo as your fitness, your challenge, your community. You prove that judo is for everyone, at every stage of life.

To our adult beginners, thank you for taking the leap to try something new. Your courage inspires us all.

To our experienced dan grades, thank you for your continued dedication, for mentoring the next generation, and for embodying the values of judo in everything you do.

To our families, thank you for the early mornings, the competition travel, the washing of judogi, and the unwavering support. You make this journey possible.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Judo Queensland is committed to serving you better in the year ahead. We'll continue providing quality competitions, development opportunities, and support for your clubs to grow our community.

But the real magic of judo doesn't happen in board meetings or strategic plans. It happens when you step onto the mat. It happens when you help a training partner understand a technique. It happens when you overcome fear and compete for the first time. It happens when you earn that next belt after months of work. It happens in the friendships formed and the confidence built.

That's your judo journey. We're just here to support it.

Thank you for being part of the Judo Queensland community in 2025. Thank you for choosing judo. Thank you for showing up.

Here's to an even better 2026 together.