The Area Regional Schools Events have been developed to allow players to represent their school and enter a series of events leading to the National Schools Championships without the fear of having to compete against a National Medallist.  By competing with players of a similar level it also allows coaches and parents to assess if the player is ready for the opportunity to enter the National Championships.

These events are also aimed to assist the development of young people as referees, table officials and coaches.

This event is open to all school children who hold a current valid licence of the BJA, NIJF, Judo Scotland, WJA, AJA or BJC.

This is a Level 2 Development event for Academic Years 4,5 6 & 7 and a Level 3 Development event for Academic Years 8 to 13 and is not open to the following:

Years 4 & 5: No eligibility restrictions.
Years 6 & 7: No eligibility restrictions.
Years 8 & 9, and Years 10 – 13: Any player who has won a medal at the last British Pre-Cadet/ Cadet/ Junior/ Senior Championships (December 2026) is not eligible. EXCEPTION: any player who won less than two contests at either event IS eligible. Any player with 100 points or more on the Cadet/ Junior/ Senior BJA ranking lists is not eligible. This event is open to all school children who comply with the criteria above and hold a current valid licence of the BJA, Judo Scotland, NIJF, WJA, BJC or AJA.

Players can change weight categories between this event and the British Schools Championships.

NO VALID LICENCE – NO CONTEST – NO EXCEPTIONS – NO JUDO

To enter the British School Championships, judoka must attend a school in Great Britain and must have competed in at least one regional schools’ competition between September 2026 to March 2027, (Exceptions may be considered in certain circumstances; any requests must be submitted to the BJA events team via email for approval no later than December 2026). Those living in Scotland can qualify by competing at either the Scottish National Closed 2026 or Highland Budokan 2026.

Technical restrictions will apply in Academic Years 4, 5, 6 & 7.
Armlocks & Strangles permitted in Academic Years 10 to 13. This category will be points scoring for eligible players.

Please see the BJA Contest Rules for further information.

Method of Elimination

The British Judo Association rules will apply throughout the competition. The method of competition will be compound knockout in categories of 8 or more players and pools and knockout in categories of 7 players or less.

The Tournament Director reserves the right to combine or alter categories should entries dictate. In the event of any dispute, the decision of the Tournament Director will be final.

Contest Times

Academic Years 4 & 5, 6 & 7: 3 minutes, 3 minutes Golden Score, Referees decision.
Academic Years 8 & 9: 3 minutes, Unlimited Golden Score.
Academic Years 10 to 13: 4 minutes, Unlimited Golden Score.

Please note that the minimum grades for regional competitions are lower than the minimum grade for the British Schools Championships.

Academic Years 4 & 5: (born 1^st September 2016 to 31^st August 2018)
Minimum grade 1^st mon (Bottom Red Belt).
Male: -27kg, -30kg, -34kg, -38kg, -42kg, -46kg, -50kg, +50kg.
Female: -28kg, -32kg, -36kg, -40kg, -44kg, -48kg, -52kg, +52kg.

Academic Years 6 & 7 (born 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2016)
Minimum grade 4^th mon (Bottom Yellow Belt).
Male: -27kg, -30kg, -34kg, -38kg, -42kg, -46kg, -50kg, -55kg, and +55kg.
Female: -28kg, -32kg, -36kg, -40kg, -44kg, -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, and +57kg.

Technical restrictions will be used in Academic Years 4, 5 6 & 7

Academic Years 8 & 9 (born 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2014)
Minimum grade 6^th mon (Top Yellow Belt).
Male: -34kg, -38kg, -42kg, -46kg, -50kg, -55kg, -60kg, -66kg. +66kg.
Female:  -36kg, -40kg, -44kg, -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, +63kg.

Academic Years 10 to 13 (born 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2012)
Minimum grade 9^th mon (Top Orange Belt) or 4^th kyu (Senior Orange Belt)
Male: -42kg, -46kg, -50kg, -55kg, -60kg, -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, +90kg.
Female: -44kg, -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, +70kg.

Please note, that the Years 10/11 and Years 12/13 are split for the final British School Championships. They are merged for the regional events to increase the chances of having contests.

Players must satisfy the minimum weight limit for their category, ie for -73kg players must weigh over 66.1kg. For the lightest weight categories, you need to weigh no less than 10%, ie for -55kg you can weigh no less than 49.5kg.

Players may enter a different weight category at the final event than the one they competed in at the regional school event.

OPEN weigh in
All female and male competitors MUST present themselves to the weigh-in wearing competition acceptable judogi trousers and must wear a plain crew neck t-shirt/rash guard for weigh ins.

All competitors will receive a 0.8kg allowance.

Weigh-in times
Years 4/5: 08:30 – 09:00
Years 6/7: 10:15 – 10:45
Years 8/9: 11:45 – 12:15
Years 10-13: 13:30 – 14:00

Entry fee £25.00.

Enter online : Southern Area Regional Schools Championships 2027 | Southern Area Judo

 Closing Date for Entries:     Monday 11th January 2027 or when maximum number reached.