Antony Martin, a dedicated member of the Hamilton Judo Club’s Inclusion class, has been nationally recognized, receiving the prestigious Disability Coach of the Year award at the JudoScotland Community Awards. This accolade highlights his exceptional hard work and unwavering commitment to judo volunteers across Scotland, particularly within the inclusion sector.

Judo has been a central part of Antony’s life for many years, beginning 17 years ago when he first experienced the sport during a taster session at his primary school. This initial encounter quickly led him to join Hamilton Judo Club, where he became a regular participant, competing in various judo competitions throughout the country.

However, before the Covid-19 pandemic, Antony had started to disengage from judo and was considering leaving the sport entirely. The period of lockdown provided him with valuable time to reflect and determine his future path. A pivotal opportunity arose when an old coach reached out, inviting him to become involved in coaching disability sessions with the newly launched Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion program.

Reflecting on this turning point, Antony shared, “It was actually a strange thing for me because I was starting to fall out of love with judo and I was starting to lose a bit of interest in it and then the coaching actually is what brought me back.” He found renewed passion as the disability sessions began: “Once the disability sessions started, I just fell back in love with it, getting to see the kids progress and come to class smiling and even seeing the parents have a break, and seeing them relax a bit is amazing. That’s what’s mainly in it for me, seeing the positive impact on other people.”

As a Level 2 coach, Antony currently leads both junior and senior disability and additional support needs (ASN) sessions at Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion. He is highly praised for his strong communication skills and his remarkable ability to adapt his coaching style to meet the diverse needs of each judoka. Club members commend Antony’s approach, noting his patience, empathy, and genuine willingness to learn and ensure inclusivity for all participants. His success in building trust and rapport with his students stems from his deep understanding of their individual experiences and challenges.

Antony readily modifies his coaching approach, training methods, or even the training environment to accommodate every individual at the club, ensuring full participation in judo. His infectious enthusiasm serves as a powerful inspiration, encouraging students to surpass their perceived limitations. By embodying these qualities, Antony cultivates a profoundly positive and empowering environment for individuals with disabilities, enabling them to thrive and realize their full potential.

Antony strongly believes in the importance of dismantling barriers to participation, thereby creating a safe space where everyone can flourish through physical activity. He explains, “I think judo is such a good sport. It breaks down social barriers because you’re having to be in close contact with people.” He recounts observing children who initially resisted close physical contact, exhibiting defensive behaviors, gradually transform into confident judo players, executing throws and engaging in randori. He highlights the social benefits, stating, “It’s brilliant to see wee groups forming and they’re becoming pals and they’ll talk in school, and it grows their confidence a bit more too.”

Beyond his direct coaching, Antony also fosters strong relationships with young volunteers at the club, who assist him in delivering sessions. He actively encourages them to explore their potential as future coaches or young leaders within the club.

Reflecting on his recent award, Antony expressed his honor: “I’m really honoured, I didn’t get into this for awards so it’s nice to get acknowledged for what you do, because it’s not something that crosses your mind when you’re coaching. You don’t think 'I want an award, I’m doing this for awards' so it is nice to be recognised for just something that I do every week.” Antony received his award at Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion, presented by JudoScotland disability development officer Stephen Somerville on Thursday, October 9.