Ian Rose Appointed Lead for NHC Visually Impaired Judo Development

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Ian Rose from Micklefield Judo Club as the new lead for the Northern Home Counties Visually Impaired (VI) judo section.

Ian will be responsible for building on the momentum of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, supporting the growth of our areas current VI athletes, and spearheading initiatives to increase participation in this important area.

Ian brings an extensive background as both a former VI judo competitor and a coach. He began his judo journey at the age of seven at Micklefield Judo Club and went on to represent Great Britain in five Paralympic Games, winning bronze at Atlanta 1996 and silver at Athens 2004.

A former World Champion and four-time European Champion, Ian now holds a 6th Dan and continues to coach at Micklefield, where his own judo career began. His mission is to foster an inclusive environment where every athlete can achieve their full potential.

When asked about his vision, Ian shared: “My immediate goal is to expand the number of VI participants within the Northern Home Counties Area and to support the development of current VI athletes and their coaches.”

“Looking ahead, I envision working alongside the British Judo Association and the Paralympic team in creating a national VI team event alongside the existing National Area Championships and supporting at least one athlete from our region in qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles or 2032 Brisbane Paralympic Games.”

“However, this is a team effort, and I cannot achieve this without the support of our current VI players and coaches. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please reach out—we can make this happen together.”

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