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The Welsh Judo Performance Pathway is designed to nurture and develop judo athletes from the early stages of competition right through to success at elite level. The pathway consists of several key stages, each offering structured training and competition opportunities to help athletes progress.
To achieve this, two key performance objectives have been identified:
- Olympic Games success.Our priority is to create a pathway from Welsh Judo clubs to the British Judo National Training Centre (NTC), ensuring that Welsh athletes have the mental, physical, technical and tactical abilities to succeed at the highest level.
- Commonwealth Games success. Welsh Judo have set the target of becoming the most successful Welsh sport at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, determined by the total gold medals won.
This page provides a brief overview of the Talent Cymru Development Programme. It details the application process, athlete identification and a brief insight into programme design, delivery and expectations.
Welsh National Squad
The Welsh National Squad is the entry point for athletes aiming to progress through the Welsh Judo system. Athletes who medal at the Welsh National Championships earn a place in the Welsh Squad. This squad focuses on building a strong foundation for judo in Wales, with regular Regional Hub sessions led by the National Coach. These sessions focus on skill development and randori, providing crucial exposure and guidance for athletes moving forward into the Talent Development Programme.
Talent Development Programme (TD)
The Talent Development Programme is designed for Pre-Cadet athletes who are ready to build upon their judo skills. With an emphasis on competition fundamentals, the TD Programme aims to prepare athletes for national and international competition. Entry into this programme is determined by performance in specific events, including the Welsh Pre-Cadet Open and the Welsh National Closed Championships. The programme also offers opportunities for international competition, either self-funded or part-funded based on athlete ranking.
Excellence Programme (EP)
Aimed at Cadet and Junior athletes, the Excellence Programme focuses on supporting athletes with the ambition to compete internationally. Entry to the programme is determined by a range of performance criteria, including medals at key national events like the Welsh Open and British Championships. The programme offers a mix of self-funded and part-funded opportunities for international competitions and training camps.
British Judo World Class Performance Programme
For athletes aged 18 to 21, Welsh Judo provides a pathway to the British Judo World Class Performance Programme. This elite stage identifies athletes with the potential to perform at the highest level through a rigorous 24-month period of technical assessment, performance tracking, and competition results.
This structure provides Welsh judoka with clear steps for progression, from grassroots participation to the international stage.
Full details of the Welsh Judo Performance Programme can be found at www.welshjudo.com