Inspiring the Next Generation of Referees and Officials at Doraiba Judo

Last weekend’s Level 1 competition at Doraiba Judo Club was not only a fantastic opportunity for young judoka to step onto the tatami—but also a major development moment for our next generation of referees and table officials.

With guidance from Wendy Allan, Gareth Piper, and a dedicated team of officials, six young novice referees had their first chance to put their new skills into practice. The event was part of a wider initiative to grow officiating pathways within Welsh Judo—an essential step in creating a stronger, more inclusive community.

Wendy Allan (RIC for the event) shared:
“Many thanks to Georgina Bevan and Doraiba Judo Club for hosting their first 8’s festival and minimon competition. It was great to see not just young competitors stepping up, but also our six young referees giving it a go in a really supportive environment. They all showed brilliant promise—especially the girls, whose presence is so important for the future of Welsh Judo. Anyone aged 12 or over and a green belt or above can become a referee—just contact the WJA to register your interest.”

Trainee referees Isabelle Davies and Erin Thomas spoke about their experience:

• “I was nervous before I stepped on the mat, like when I’m competing, but it was really fun,” said Isabelle.
• “It was fun and good to learn about refereeing—it was great to have support from the official refs,” added Erin.

Gareth Piper praised the event:

“Congratulations to Doraiba Judo for hosting such a well-run and developmental event. The young officials handled the pressure brilliantly and showed real enthusiasm and curiosity. Supporting these young volunteers is vital to growing our community and ensuring confident, skilled referees for the future.”

Club head coach Georgina Bevan echoed those sentiments:

“Since becoming a coach, I’ve realised how important it is to grow our volunteer base in Welsh Judo. This event was just the beginning—we’re proud to offer a safe and supportive environment for development, and we look forward to hosting more like it in the future.”

A New look for in-house referees

As part of our efforts to create a more welcoming environment, some of our referees also trialled a new casual uniform for grassroots and in-house events. The goal? To help young competitors feel more at ease when stepping onto the mat.

Ashley Bowen, Area Refereeing Representative, explained:
“Sometimes a young player can feel intimidated stepping onto the mat, especially when greeted by a formally dressed official using unfamiliar terms. We hope this new approach will make the experience more comfortable and help our young judoka flourish.”

📸 Pictured: Steve Martin (right) & Steven Davidson (left) trialling the new referee uniform.