A Hamilton teenager who helps coach judo players with disabilities and additional support needs and who has worked to promote the sport has been named as its young volunteer of the year.
Daniel Fiddes, who has been a dedicated member of Hamilton judo club for six years, shares his skills at weekly classes for 30 juniors and 15 adults and has completed numerous additional training courses as he works to help develop inclusive sporting sessions.
The 13-year-old was selected as this year’s worthy recipient of the honour from Judo Scotland which recognises an under-25 who has “made an exceptional contribution as a volunteer in a non-coaching role within their club or the wider judo community”.
Daniel has sight loss condition nystagmus, which causes repetitive and involuntary movement of the eyes, and earlier this year won bronze at the British schools’ visually impaired championship.
He took up judo aged just seven and now also helps as an inclusion volunteer at the Hamilton club, assisting the lead coach at their weekly disability and additional support needs sessions – and is described as having a “caring nature [which] has made him a favourite among the children, who eagerly anticipate his help and look forward to the sessions”.
Judo Scotland praised his “remarkable dedication”, including his work in completing training courses on topics including autistic sports acceptance, coaching visually impaired athletes and further modules with Scottish Disability Sport.
Naming him as this year’s young volunteer category winner at their nationwide coaching and volunteering awards, the governing body said: “Daniel’s commitment to supporting the judo community and his ongoing efforts to develop inclusive programmes for individuals with disabilities have earned him this well-deserved recognition.”
He was presented with his trophy at the Hamilton club’s latest training session at Whitehill neighbourhood centre by Judo Scotland club development officer Laura Kirkhouse, who said: “Daniel consistently goes above and beyond, actively engaging in every opportunity.
“Daniel builds strong, meaningful connections with young club members and remains deeply committed to contributing to the great work that Hamilton judo club does week in and week out – he’s a brilliant example of the positive impact a volunteer can have in the judo community.”
Club coach John Kane said: “The volunteer work that Daniel does as part of Hamilton judo club inclusion is an excellent example of the power of judo.
“He has a genuine commitment to help individuals with disabilities and support needs, not just to participate but enjoy judo within the wider community. Sport needs more volunteers like Daniel.”
Talented teenager Daniel is also involved beyond his local club, having worked alongside Judo Scotland disability development officer Stephen Somerville, taking part in RNIB’s “come and try day” and featuring with both the sight charity and BBC Scotland to promote what he describes as “the best sport there is”.
He is “passionate about expanding his knowledge of working with children with disabilities”; and spoke earlier this year about taking part in judo as one of more than 5000 children in Scotland with vision impairment.
The Dalziel High pupil, who is also a keen video gamer and attends Scouts, said: “I really enjoy learning all the different movements and how to do them – it feels really natural to me and every session I finish, I go away happy.
“Judo is really fun and it’s quite active and physical; I hope to keep competing and keep getting better.”
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