This is a development event for school Academic Years 4 through to 13.

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

NO VALID LICENCE – NO CONTEST – NO EXCEPTIONS.

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.

Please note that minimum grades are lower than the minimum grade for the British Schools National Championships.   it is recommended that players have had some competition experience before entering this event.

Academic Years 4 & 5 – born 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2016
No eligibility restrictions. Technical restrictions will be used in Academic Years 4 & 5

Male: u24kg, u27kgs, u30kg, u34kg, u38kg, u42kg, u46kg, u50kg, over 50kg
Female: u25kg, u28kgs, u32kg, U36kg, u40kg, u44kg, u48kg, u52kg, over 52kg

Academic Years 6 & 7 – born 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2015
Minimum grade 4^th mon (bottom yellow belt). Technical restrictions will be used in Academic Years 6 & 7

Male: u27kgs, u30kg, u34kg, u38kg, u42kg, u46kg, u50kg, u55kg, and over 55kg
Female: u28kgs, u32kg, U36kg, u40kg, u44kg, u48kg, u52kg, u57kg, and over 57kg

Academic Years 8 & 9 – born 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2012
Minimum grade 6^th mon (top yellow belt) or 5^th kyu (senior yellow belt)
Any player who has won a medal at the British Pre-Cadet or Cadet Championships last year (December 2023) is ineligible to compete. Exception – if won less than two contests.

Male: -34kg, -38kg, -42kg, -46kg, -50kg, -55kg, -60kg, -66kg and over 66kg
Female: -32kg, -36kg, -40kg, -44kg, -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63 kg and over 63kg

Academic Years 10 & 11 and 12 & 13 – born 1 September 2006 to 31 August 2010
Minimum grade 9^th mon (top orange belt) or 4^th kyu (senior orange belt)
Any player with 100 points or more of the British Cadet or Junior Ranking Lists at 31st December 2024 is ineligible to enter. Armlocks and strangles will be permitted in Academic Years 10 to 13.  This category will be points scoring for eligible players.

Male: -42kg, -46kg, -50kg, -55kg, -60kg, -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg and o90kg
Female: -44kg, -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg and o70kg

The Tournament Director reserves the right to combine or alter categories should entries dictate. in the event of large disparities in the lightest and heaviest weight groups, these will be split.  In the event of any dispute, the decision of the Tournament Director will be final.

Entry details

Entry Fee:                  £20.00
Spectator Fee:           FREE.
Parking:                      FREE.

Please note there are no cafeteria facilities at the leisure centre. Vending machines are on site.

 Closing Date for Entries:     Friday 10th January 2025 or when maximum number reached.

Entries online:https://www.participant.co.uk/SouthernAreaJudo/event/SA_schools_championships_2025

Postal or Email entries will not be accepted.
All entries must include a valid email address and contact telephone number for the parent not the coach.

Enquiries to: events@sajudo.org.uk

Weigh in information
An open weigh-in will take place for all players.  All competitors MUST present themselves to the weigh-in wearing competition acceptable judogi trousers and a plain white t-shirt.  All competitors will receive a 0.8kg allowance.

Contest Times:                                                                                                          Weigh In Times:

Academic Years 4 & 5:           3 minutes, 3 min GS and referee decision                 08:30 – 09:00
Academic Years 6 & 7:           3 minutes, 3 min GS and referee decision                 10:00 – 10:30
Academic Years 8 & 9:           3 minutes, unlimited GS                                             11:30 – 12:00
Academic Years 10 to 13:       4 minutes, unlimited GS                                             14:00 – 14:30

Photography
By entering the event, all participants and parents or guardians of participants are consenting to photography/filming which may be taken at the event. If you wish to opt-out of the above, please contact the Competition Controller on the morning of the event.

Judogi & Zori:
White suits only, however you are expected to bring along your own blue and white belts, zori’s must be worn at all times whilst not on the mat.

Coaches MUST produce a VALID BJA Coach Award card in person in order to be eligible to gain matside access with their player.  Only one coach per player will be permitted at any one time.

Competition Guidelines:

Remember that the aim of the British Schools Championships is to have fun. Help you develop as a judoka. Improve your skills and conduct yourself in a sportsman like manner, plus represent the ideals, disciplines and etiquette of the British Judo Association to the highest level.

Please note there is no priority entry to the British Schools Championships in 2025. To be eligible to compete at the British Schools Championships 2025, you must have entered at least one British Schools Regional Championships. If there is no regional championship in your area, you must have entered a minimum of 2 events, level 2 or above.

Judoka

• Help beginners or lower grades, if you can.
• Follow all judo rules throughout the event.
• Bow correctly at the beginning and end of a contest. It is not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.
• Accept decisions; let your coach ask any necessary questions.
• Control your temper, do not shout or abuse other judoka or officials.
• Be a good sport, cheer all good play, and respect all of your fellow judoka.
• Treat all other judoka as you would like to be treated, do not take unfair advantage of any judoka.
• Co-operate with your coach and opponents, without them you do not have a game.

Parents

• Please be aware that children develop differently, at different rates and react differently to the same pressures.
• Children and young people are involved in organised sport for their enjoyment as well as yours and so please respect this at all times.
• Always encourage your child to train and compete by the rules of judo.
• Teach your child that effort and teamwork are as important as victory, so that the result of each contest is accepted without unnecessary disappointment and with a positive sporting attitude.
• Never ridicule or shout at your child for making a mistake or losing a contest.
• Children learn best by example. Applaud good play by your team and by members of the opposing team.
• Do not question publicly the officials’ judgement and never their honesty.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s sporting activities.
• Set an example by being friendly to the parents of the opposition, emphasise enjoyment and fun, praise and reinforce effort and improvement.
• Coaching is allowed throughout the competition.
• Please remind your child/judoka that without instruction, they should adjust their judogi, so that the front and back of the jacket are inside the belt after every mate