Ben joined the association as Chief Executive Officer in October 2025 and brings over twelve years of leadership experience in the sport and leisure sectors in Wales. Ben's appointment represents his first involvement in the sport of judo.
Prior to joining the association, Ben served as Chief Executive Officer for Pontypool RFC, where he oversaw the most successful period in the club’s history, culminating in three successive WRU National Championship titles and setting the foundations for the club’s eventual promotion to the WRU Premiership and Super Rugby Cymru divisions. More recently, Ben served as Chief Executive Officer for Torfaen Leisure Trust, where he led one of the largest leisure operators in South Wales through a period of significant change, transformation and growth.
Tom has been a proud full-time member of the Welsh Judo Association team since 2015. His journey with the organisation began in 2009, when he combined training at the National Judo Centre with working part-time as a membership and schools judo coach.
Alongside his role at Welsh Judo, Tom also coaches at Cardiff Judo Academy. With experience across many areas of the organisation, he is passionate about growing the sport in Wales and supporting athletes and coaches to achieve their potential.
Steph joined the Welsh Judo team in 2024 and has been involved as an athlete within the Welsh Judo pathway since 2014. She continues to compete internationally while contributing to the sport’s growth in Wales.
Passionate about creating opportunities for others, Steph founded the Girls That Judo programme, which has engaged and inspired many girls and women to get involved in judo across the country. In her role as Participation & Performance Coordinator, she brings this same drive and enthusiasm to supporting athletes, clubs, and communities across Wales.
Michael joined the Welsh Judo Association as National Coach in June 2023, following a successful four and a half years as Provincial Coach for Judo Saskatchewan in Canada. During his time there, the team achieved strong results at national events across Canada and secured international representation at both Cadet and Junior levels.
Before his move to Canada, Michael spent three years with Judo Scotland, coaching cadet and junior athletes. Prior to beginning his coaching career, he represented Great Britain as an athlete, competing at International Judo Federation Tour events.
Natalie has been part of the Welsh Judo family for more than 27 years, progressing through the pathway from a young judoka to one of Wales’s most successful athletes. She spent over a decade on the IJF World Tour, competing at two Olympic Games and achieving several historic firsts for Welsh judo, including becoming World No. 1 and winning both World Championship and Commonwealth Games medals.
Since retiring from competition, Natalie has continued to contribute to Welsh sport through her work in performance programmes at Wales Golf. Now returning to Welsh Judo in a coaching role, she brings extensive experience and a passion for supporting the next generation of Welsh athletes on their journey toward future Commonwealth success.
The Welsh Judo Board consists of twelve Directors comprising of 5 Elected Directors and 7 Independent Directors.
Elected Directors are appointed for a term of four years, Independent Directors for two-year terms.
Will Fuller was appointed as Independent Non-Executive Director (Governance) in December 2025. Currently the CEO of Cardiff Met Students’ Union, will specialises in charity governance and brings board-level experience in strategy, risk and assurance, and culture change.
Passionate about safe, inclusive, and high-quality sport, Will is focused on supporting Welsh Judo to deliver excellent governance whilst growing the sport at every level.
Chris Emsley was appointed as Chair for the Welsh Judo Association in June 2024, having been appointed as an INED in April 2024.
Chris comes to the Welsh Judo Association as a Senior Lecturer and Non Executive Director with more than ten years of experience in Sport and Leisure, including roles at University of South Wales (USW), Wales Golf, Bowls Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. Chris currently sits as Vice Chair of CIMSPA’s Welsh Professional Development Board, consulting with stakeholders, and striving to grow the attractiveness of working in sport and physical activity in Wales. At USW, Chris leads two undergraduate degrees in Sports Coaching and
Development.
With a wealth of experience and proven track records, his expertise will no doubt help with the continuous growth of the sport of Judo in Wales.
Robyn joins the Welsh Judo Association as a Lecturer in Higher Education and has over 5 years experience in academia including roles at University of South Wales (USW) and Cardiff Metropolitan University (CMU). Her background is in socio cultural issues in sport a nd sports philosophy and ethics but at this moment in time more she’s leading two undergraduate degrees in Community Football Coaching and Development at USW. Robyn has held a number of voluntary roles in sport including roles at The British Philosophy of Sport As soc iation and The Football Association of Wales. She’s also a football player for Swansea City Women in the top tier of Welsh football.
Robyn is passionate about inspiring communities to embrace physical activity and making sport accessible to everyone, regardless of background or ability. Robyn will look to draw on her experience to help the WJA achieve its objectives and grow the sport.
Jonny joined the Welsh Judo Association Board, an Independent Non Executive Director in September 2024.
With a varied portfolio, Jonny brings expertise in Digital, Marketing and Innovation but also 10 years of Governance and Board experience from across the education and third sectors. Jonny is a former Trustee Board Chair, Event Manager/Producer of TedX, and previous Associate of the Arts Council Wales.
Jonny is co founder of a Digital Marketing and Content design business and delivers the Enterprise and Entrepreneurship services at the University of South Wales, where he manages the Enterprise Team.
Beyond his professional work, Jonny is a keen Karateka, affiliated to the Karate Union of Great Britain. He has competed at are gional level in both individual and team events and has been fortunate enough to train in Japan.
Lee Shinkin is accountable for Business Development & Commercial. Lee is currently a Business Development lead for AtkinsRéalis with responsibility for the Digital, Technology and Transformation consultancy business facing into a key Critical National Infrastructure sector. His consultancy experience spans security, defence and aviation sectors.
Lee brings years of experience of being a member of the GB Judo team.
Shaun Davies is a coach at Judo Swansea, based at Swansea University and Dunvant Social Centre. He started his judo journey at Sanshirokwai where he won multiple Welsh titles and British medals.
While training at the National Dojo with the Welsh Squad, Shaun also trained at Samurai Olympic Judo Club, where his father, Daniel Davies was Head Coach under the watchful eye of Sensei Alan Petherbridge MBE.
Following a long period away from Judo to focus on academic studies Shaun returned to Judo, qualified as a Coach and set up Judo Swansea. Away from Judo, Shaun holds a PhD in Biology/Nutrition and has professional qualifications in accounting.
Shaun is still active on the competitive masters scene recently winning another British title and taking a bronze at the 2019 Commonwealth Championship.
Shaun hopes to bring his passion for Judo together with his experience and knowledge to the Welsh Judo board to enable Welsh Judo to succeed long term across Wales by supporting clubs, coaches and judoka.
Janelle joined the Board as one of the Welsh Judo elected Directors. She is a representative of Imperial Judo and currently has two children actively involved in Judo. Her eldest is a cadet who is emerging on the performance pathway and her youngest is only just beginning to complete as a minor.
Janelle is also an ex Welsh competitor, but due to injury and work commitments, had to retire from the sport 20 years ago.
Janelle hopes to bring to the Board her professional knowledge and skill as a practising Solicitor, and encourage a very dynamic, transparent and effective way in connecting with judoka, clubs/coaches and parents.
Shaun hopes to bring his passion for Judo together with his experience and knowledge to the Welsh Judo board to enable Welsh Judo to succeed long term across Wales by supporting clubs, coaches and judoka.
Rich is a qualified Chartered Physiotherapist with an MSc in Rehabilitation, a UEFA ‘A’ Licence football coach, EXOS Performance Specialist certified supplemented with leadership and management qualifications. Rich has experience applying his professional knowledge in Health care, Police, Military, corporate and professional sports environments.
Rich has held positions such as Performance Director at Zone7, an artificial intelligence company and Swansea City FC, Perfor
man ce and Medical auditor for the Premier League, EFL and FA as well as operating in multiple consultancy roles for international elite sportin g a nd education organisations. He’s a director and owner of a care company and looks forward to assisting Welsh Judo meet its strategic objectives.
Keith has over 20 years’ experience in strategic planning, financing and investments. Keith has a track record working for a Hong Kong listed bluechip company raising funds over US $1.5 billion and numerous strategic projects of over US $1 billion. Keith had also led operational teams in a Singapore bank, where he gained abundance exposure to operations, compliance, technology and project management. Keith starte d h is career in a big four accounting firm specialising in tax audit.
Keith is still active in Masters Athletics competitions and enjoys his social football, cricket and lawn bowls.
To better represent the diverse nation, we serve and increase the effectiveness of our decision making, we want to attract and particularly encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, neurodiverse and socially mobile candidates.
During the meeting, the Annual Report and the Financial Reports and Accounts are submitted for approval. Any changes to Articles of the Company are also agreed.
Anyone is welcome to attend the AGM and can ask a question at the meeting, however this needs to be submitted beforehand to the WJA Office. During the voting section, only Company Members are entitled to participate.
