13 November 2026
We're delighted to congratulate Tristan McCathie, who has become the youngest qualified coach in Ultimate Judo's history, completing his Level 1 Judo coaching course just days after celebrating his 16th birthday.
Tristan is also the first graduate of our Ultimate Judo Coaching Academy to become a fully qualified coach, having successfully completed his Level 1 coaching qualification, safeguarding and first aid requirements, along with his PVG checks.
Tristan has quite literally grown up on the judo mat. He's been around judo since he was in nappies, spending much of his childhood in and around dojos, watching classes, meeting people and generally being part of the furniture! Judo has always been part of his life, although that certainly doesn't mean he was destined to become a coach.
What has been particularly rewarding to watch is how he's developed his own passion for helping others.
Tristan has a natural ability to connect with our younger members. He's patient, approachable and has a brilliant sense of humour, which he uses to great effect. He's particularly good with children who need a little extra understanding, encouragement or a different approach. He has a knack for using his personality and humour to break down barriers, build trust and bring out the best in them.
That's something you can't simply learn on a coaching course. Qualifications are important, but being a good coach is about far more than knowing how to teach a throw. It's about understanding people and making them feel valued.
Our Coaching Academy was created to give young people the opportunity to develop their coaching skills, confidence and leadership abilities in a supportive environment, learning alongside experienced coaches and gradually taking on more responsibility.
Tristan's achievement is a particularly satisfying moment for the programme, as we see our first young coach complete the full pathway.
Reflecting on his experience, Tristan said:
"The Coaching Academy work really helped me prepare for this course, and I could go in confidently."
That's exactly what we hoped the Academy would achieve. Rather than sending young people on a qualification course and expecting them to suddenly become coaches, we wanted to give them the practical experience, understanding and confidence to arrive feeling prepared.
And Tristan certainly did.
He's also not the only young coach making progress. Jude Bates, Barbara de Andres and Liam Burke have all successfully passed their coaching courses and are now very close to completing the remaining safeguarding and first aid requirements needed to become fully qualified and insured.
It's fantastic to see the programme beginning to produce its first qualified coaches, and hopefully these four will be the first of many.
On a personal level, both Yati and I are incredibly proud of Tristan. As his dad, I've watched him grow from the little boy running around the dojo into a confident, caring young man who genuinely enjoys helping others. That's worth far more to me than any medal or competition result.
There's also something rather special about seeing your son begin to follow in your footsteps, although I'm sure he'll be quick to remind me that he intends to do things his own way.
Of course, now that Tristan is officially qualified, I'm fully expecting to receive regular coaching advice, corrections and constructive feedback, both at the dojo and at home. Apparently, 16 years of listening to me wasn't enough — he's now got a qualification to back up his opinions! I have a horrible feeling I might just have helped create a monster.
I've always believed that the real success of a judo club isn't simply measured in medals or membership numbers, but in the people who come through its doors and what they go on to achieve.
Seeing young people who once needed our guidance now stepping forward to guide others is one of the most rewarding parts of coaching. It also gives me enormous confidence in the future of Ultimate Judo.
Congratulations, Tristan. mum and I couldn't be prouder of you.
And a huge well done to Jude, Barbara and Liam. We're looking forward to celebrating your full qualifications very soon.
Always Forward.
Event date: 8th November 2026
