GBJC Blog:
SBE – 14 October 2025
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Latest, 6 December 2025
See NIJudo AGM section.
24 October 2025
NIJudo May 2025 Accounts.
Published 27 October 2025
“Termination of appointment of Judith Marie Rowan as a director on 20 October 2025”
“Termination of appointment of Gail Reid as a director on 20 October 2025”
See details below
27 October 2025
RANK FOUNDATION
The Rank Foundation clarifies they concluded their funding relationship with NIJudo, September 2025.
See NIJudo May 2025 Accounts.
The NIJudo Board have filed their annual accounts, 5 December 2025.
Audited by CleaverBlack
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 19 November 2025 and were signed on
its behalf by:R Newett – Director
W Brown – Director
NIJudo
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
Click to View/Download
No response has been forthcoming from CleaverBlack, contacted, 12 November 2025
See Comment Below.
NIJudo Board Announcement, on FaceBook Only.
Commenting switched off.
The Northern Ireland Judo Federation regrets to announce a delay to our Annual General Meeting.
This short postponement is due to a delay in the release of funding from SportNI, which has prevented our auditors from signing off the prepared accounts for the 2024 / 2025 financial year, with the assurance of funding going forward.We fully appreciate the frustration this causes to our members and stakeholders.Please be assured that it is the Federation’s clear intention to stage the AGM as soon as SportNI has released the promised funding (P1 & P2), following the recent completion of a rigorous compliance and transparency audit.This process is agreed and expected to conclude within a short timescale, and we remain committed to keeping our membership informed throughout.Thank you for your patience.The NIJF Board.
SBE Comment
12 November 2025
Paraphrasing Albert Einstein:
Judo in Britain is not being ruined by the few in power, corruption, and incompetence.
But by the many that watch, remain silent and do nothing about it!
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Welcome to the first edition of …
The MATSIDE COOLER!
Since clubs, coaches, and members can choose whether to be affiliated with either the Northern Ireland Judo Federation Ltd (NIJudo) or the Irish Judo Association (IJA).
Because of judo politics, secrecy, spin, bullying, and poor governance, just like in the rest of “Judo Britain”.
Such behaviour is not uncommon in the commercial sector or even within other sports!
The big difference is that judo comes with core values; it is built on strong principles and a philosophy created by its founder, Jigoro Kano.
Quoted often, but seldom practised by many in judo.
When clubs, coaches, and members had had enough with how NIJudo was managed, they defected, joined the IJA, and formed Ulster Judo.
Despite being funded with public money, NIJudo reacted as expected in judo politics, as if they were a laws unto themselves, thinking this wouldn’t matter.
But NIJudo soon found out differently!
In May 2025, NIJudo lost their “Talent Funding” from Sport NI!
Informing the BJA Board about this, June 2025.
NIJudo Chair and BJA Director, Russell Brown, went on to make a false statement involving me (Steen Eriksen), both verbally and later in print.
“RB [Russell Brown] added that there had been another issue following that meeting, in that Steen Eriksen posted on his website that NIJF had lost their funding within 30 minutes of the meeting.”
This has forced me to respond with …
Facts & Information.
Russell Brown has been contacted and asked to retract his false statement, apoligise, along with an offer of “Right to Reply”.
Before publishing this blog.
See “Right to Reply” section.
This blog gives you some detailed information such as the Northern Ireland Judo Federation Ltd (NIJudo), May 2025 Financial Statement, in full.
See “Right to Reply” section.
Putting together a comprehensive blog like this takes research, time, and effort.
So, you will need a Yellow GB Judo Community membership to access the full content of the blog. 30 days full access to all the content for only £1,55.
No need to cancel the membership and payment after 30 days; they expire automatically.
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Facts and Information
References
All statements of fact and information in this blog by SBE are substantiated by external links in the reference list at the bottom of the page.
Other documentation:
Such as the proof of the BJA CEO, Andrew Scoular, BJA Directors, Management, and Lisa Allan’s direct involvement in rigging the process and disciplinary panel in a bullying complaint.
Visually represented with a graphic containing the end section of the panel’s conclusion document & a social media post.
Proving that the panel was NOT “fully independent” as the BJA claimed in one of their infamous public statements.
“Statement: British Judo Internal Investigation“
Along with the BJA CEO, Andrew Scoular, in his “Open Letter” stating the panel was “independent” and “The review was conducted to the highest standards…”
Was not the truth, but were lies!
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Can best be described as only the tip of the iceberg!
NIJudo – Chair & Director,
NIJudo – Safeguarding Manager,
Director
British Judo Association Ltd.
(The BJA)
Russell Brown;
Described the year gone by as only “tempestuous” in the 2024 BJA Annual Report.
He then went on to celebrate his and the NIJudo Board of Directors’ “achievements”.
Had his statements been made in the spirit of core judo values:
Courage – Respect – Modesty – Sincerity – Friendship – Honour – Politeness.
On the face of it, it could be seen as “Operational Excellence”?
NIJudo’s “tempestuous year” was just the tip of an iceberg the organisation had stumbled into, and the problems the NIJudo faced would only get far worse in 2025.
The online version, published by the BJA in a low-quality format that doesn’t allow viewing of its financial figures.
Content:
The unique circumstances of Judo affiliation in Northern Ireland.
Sport NI funding.
NIJudo lose its Talent Funding.
Russel Brown’s false statement.
NIJudo May 2025 Financial Statement.
“Right to Reply”.
The NIJudo Echo Chamber.
To the envy of many clubs and coaches in England, Scotland and Wales …
Funding, given by Sport NI to NIJudo, being public money, comes with Terms and Conditions attached.
Funding from Sport NI given to NIJudo is required to be available to both NIJudo (Clubs, coaches, and members) …
… and Ulster Judo (Clubs, coaches, and members).
“Cross-border cooperation”, agreements, and legislation defines this.
If you have got this far and spent the grand sum of £1,55 for a 30-day Yellow membership.
You might already know what happens if you “step out of line”, within Judo Politics in Britain.
Within a culture of bullying, walking away will not necessarily stop a bully!
The similarity between NIJudo’s Management style and the behaviour of other Judo Management is striking!
Particularly, the NGB (National Governing Body) for Olympic Sport of judo in Great Britain.
The British Judo Association Ltd, aka the BJA or British Judo.
One of the most disgraceful examples of what British Judo has become!
With the BJA and its CEO, Andrew Scoular, making public false statements!
Complaint Rejected
After over 600 days of British Judo Association Ltd “processing” a bullying complaint made by Lulu Piovesana and 2 others, against BJA Olympic Coach, Jamie Johnson, and Olympian Judoka, Lucy Renshall.
After;
The BJA CEO, Andrew Scoular,
BJA Chair, Ronnie Saez
Particularly, the BJA Directors, Peter Blewett and Loretta Cusack Doyle
Along with BJA Management, Colin McIvor and Joyce Heron
Daughter of BJA Sport Director Colin McIvor (Now BJA Technical Director)
Lisa Allan is also well known and friends with many within Judo Management, including ……..
Jamie Johnson is currently suspended by the BJA due to another bullying complaint made against him and this being escalated outside the BJA’s remit, to UK Sport’s Integrity unit.
“… identified areas of development for British Judo, which will be addressed in the form of an action plan which will be published on the British Judo website.”
Open Letter from the CEO
With “…a number of recommendations were made by the panel …”
Composed of the final section of the panel’s conclusion document, identifying Lisa Allan as a panel member, and Lisa Allan’s social media photo (public) from 3 years earlier.
Does it substantiate the BJA’s and CEO, Andrew Scoular’s public statements …
You can find many of these persons making statements in the latest BJA Annual Report, 2024 – 2025!
People who create their own drama deserve their own karma
27 October 2025
The RANK FOUNDATION confirms they ceased their funding partnership with NIJudo, September 2025.
See May 2025 accounts where the Rank Foundation funding amounted to £14,000
NIJudo Ltd.
May 2025 Financial Statement
In Full – No Redactions
See “Right to Reply” section below.
Russell Brown
Offering someone “Right to Reply” generally means the right to defend oneself against public criticism in the same venue where it will be published.
Russell Brown was offered “Right to Reply” twice before publishing this blog.
The NIJudo Administrator was also contacted about the NIJudo Financial Statement, May 2025, seeking clarification about the content, GDPR, privacy, confidentiality, etc.
* UPDATE:
2 NIJudo Directors resigned 20th October 2025
This information has to my knowledge not been communicated to NIJudo Ltd Clubs, coaches or members, as of today, 29th October 2025.
The NIJudo Echo Chamber
“An environment where a person only encounters information or opinions that reflect and reinforce their own.”
PS …
My “crítics”, the few but loud minions of management, will often avoid subject matters by distraction and raising the fact that I am not a judo coach. So, what would I know?!
I make no secret that I am not a judo coach!
But …
When it comes to the many outside factors that affect coaching and operating a judo club, the politics, governance, the “backroom deals”, secret funding streams, etc.
You could ask former BJA Director Claire Lish about my coaching skills when she stated, “There is no remuneration.”
The BJA having just paid £455,000 as such to the BJA Chair, Ronnie Saez, and his secret “Senior Leadership Team”!.
Since she had approved these payments, I am sure she would happily discuss the fact that I am not a judo coach!
PPS …
Both BJA Director Clair Lish and BJA Chair Ronnie Saez resigned two years early in 2023!
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#GBJudoCommunity
#StrongerTogether
#MakingChangeHappen
JOIN!
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#MakingChangeHappen
FOLLOW & LIKE
@GBJudo
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FOLLOW
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Facts and Information
References
Safeguarding Resources
Other Documents