'The Board of the Irish Judo Association would like to congratulate Lisa Kearney on her outstanding performances over the last 2 years to earn her  place in the London 2012 games. Following a long and tough qualification process, Lisa & her coach Ciaran Ward have been duly rewarded with an Olympic place this summer. The Board & its' members have been wholly supportive of Lisa's campaign & are delighted that such a wonderful ambassador for the sport of judo has achieved her Olympic dream. The Association would like extend their best wishes to Lisa's parents & family who have been an immense support to Lisa over her career. The Board would like to thank the Irish Sports Council, the Olympic Council of Ireland, Sport NI, The Institute of Sport and Sports Institute Northern Ireland for the continuous support received over the last 2 years. We wish Lisa the very best for London 2012.'

Check out today's interview with Lisa Kearney, her coach Ciaran Ward & chief physio David Minion

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/17771396

footage courtesy of BBC Northern Ireland

******Calendar of Events 2012*******

In an effort to promote Irish Judo Association Events directly to members rather than through clubs alone, the Calendar of Events will be a permanent feature of the front page of the IJA website. Anytime an amendment occurs, the date will change to reflect same, the Calendar of Events will also be in the Download section of the website under Club Circulars.The Calendar of Events 14th May 2012 is now available.

Judo Assist Update:

Well done to all who participated and helped out at our latest FREE come & try mixed ability taster session in Kilkenny in the 24th march 2012. We ran two sessions with over 25 students enjoying Judo for the first time. Following these sessions, Kilkenny Judo Club will be running a monthly mixed ability session at their club starting May 2012. Ireland’s first mixed ability only Judo classes are now up and running at the Black Eagle Judo Club in Nenagh Co. Tipperary, anyone interested in registering please contact us on 086 061 2544

Judo Assist Ireland supporting local community and disability groups:

This Easter our experience coaches will be delivering a number of mixed ability judo sessions at Easter Camps in Cavan. The first is in conjunction with the Cavan Sports Partnership Camp-Ability Easter Camp on Tuesday 3rd April 2012 and on the 10th April 2012 we will be running a session for CAPS (Cavan Autism Parents Support Group) at the Cavan Leisure Complex.

more photos here