Cherry Judo Club's ethos is that Judo should be for everyone. The Lincoln based club is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and accepted. They welcome members with a range of physical, mental, or emotional disabilities to their Adaptive Judo sessions.

Club members include individuals with visual impairments, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and other physical and mental disabilities. In addition to the above, the club are LGBTQ+ welcoming, as they have members who are going through transition. The club has supported students to compete in Adaptive Judo internationally and nationally.

The club's commitment to inclusion and adapting sessions was recognised when they were selected as winners of the 'Inclusion and Diversity Award', at the Lincolnshire Sport & Physical Activity Awards 2024.

"We're just inclusive, we don't see any disability as a disadvantage to stop you from doing Judo. If there's a way we can adapt it, we're going to make it work so they can get something out of the session."

The club is dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and accepted. Coach Barry Lynas is passionate about access to all for the sport, which has led him to work on the JESP (judo empowerment for send pupils) initiative, which stems from recognition of the unique challenges faced by SEND pupils in the Lincoln area due to lack of facilities.
His plans look to not only increase facilities at the club, but also to be able to use those facilities on an outreach basis, taking judo to SEND schools and provisions.

Parents of children with SEND really value the positive and supportive environment that the club provides for their children, helping them build their confidence on the mat as well as off it.

"Cherry is just the most inclusive place I've ever been with my children. For my child in special education, often find they are excluded from activities simply because it needs extra time and consideration, just to be part of a normal club is all these kids ever want."

Find out more about Cherry Judo on their website.

Find out more about Adaptive Judo on the British Judo website.