Kirsty Wilson, 15, of Edinburgh Judo Club, has been presented with Judo Scotland’s Young Referee Award for 2023 by Sam Ingram.
As well as being a 2012 paralympic silver medallist Sam, who has been visually impaired with Monochromatism from birth, is Judo Scotland’s Club Support Officer.
Kirsty, a student at George Heriot’s School, joined Edinburgh Judo Club aged three and a half. A dozen years later she has recently earned her brown belt and is looking to gain her black belt.
In October 2022 the club asked some of the young judoka if any wanted to attend a refereeing course in Glasgow. Kirsty volunteered. At the course they were shown the basic elements of how to referee as well as the movements and terminology. She was also taught how to use the CARE System used to analyse and review at the mat side.
After passing the written test where candidates were given various scenarios and had to decide how they would react, Kirsty then had to gain practical experience by attending and refereeing at a variety of events from kids starting out to senior tournaments involving experienced judoka.
This has taken her throughout Scotland and culminated in her qualifying as an Area Referee. Often Kirsty will officiate in the morning, compete in the afternoon and return to officiate in the latter stages of the tournament.
Awarded her accolade at Judo Scotland’s Annual Gathering at Largs in September, it is first time anyone from Edinburgh Judo has earned this prestigious award.
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