By Robert Mitchell

Copyright dailyrecord

A Scottish Government Minister took part in a session at Hamilton Judo Club’s Inclusion class. Kaukab Stewart joined in as part of a visit to mark Women and Girls in Sport Week. And the Minister for Equalities was able to see first-hand the outstanding work that is being done at Hillhouse and Earnock Community Centre. Ms Stewart said: “I was delighted to visit Hamilton Judo Club to celebrate Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week. Sport and physical activity is for everyone and Hamilton Judo Club is a great example of a local community coming together to provide inclusive, fun, and supportive opportunities for all. “We believe everyone in Scotland should feel welcome and included in sport, no matter their background or ability, and I thank Hamilton Judo Club for the work they are doing to make this a reality.” Hamilton Judo Club is a volunteer-run club offering accessible judo for all abilities. Its ASN/disability sessions often welcome over 60 participants each week, with a dedicated space for parents and carers to connect. And the club made UK history earlier this year following the launch of a dedicated class for women with additional support needs, and its Inclusion development programme now runs twice weekly in partnership with local schools, day-care centres and other South Lanarkshire agencies, reaching more than 40 adults and children who face barriers to sport. To mark Women and Girls in Sport Week, Scottish Government Ministers have visited sports projects across Scotland that are working to encourage more women and girls to be active, including Hamilton Judo Club. The week (October 6-12) is designed to show women that whatever their age, background, location or level of fitness, there is a sport or physical activity that’s right for them. The aim is to reach as many women and girls as possible and help them to experience the physical, mental and social benefits which all come from being active. The campaign also provides an opportunity to promote the visibility and participation of women and girls as role models in sport and physical activity to help break down barriers to sport and activity for women and girls across the country. Kaukab Stewart, visited on Tuesday, October 7, to see what Hamilton Judo Club does in supporting women, girls and disabled participants in judo. There has also been a drive to get more women on the mat with their Monday night women-only sessions continuing to grow. The Minister was joined at the club by sportscotland chair Maureen Campbell and JudoScotland CEO Judith McCleary. The club won three awards at the recent JudoScotland Community Awards including Volunteer of the Year for Simone Hamill who was presented with her award during the visit. Simone consistently supports the disability and ASN sessions while training regularly herself. She provides hands-on assistance and encouragement to members of all ages, adapting to individual needs and fostering a positive, inclusive environment. Simone helps deliver sessions in local primary school ASN units, organises events and partners with South Lanarkshire Disability Sport and Leisure to run the club’s development programme. In 2024 she helped deliver over 100 sessions for community groups and secured funding to sustain the project. She also leads the Disability/ASN women’s only judo session In its ninth year, Women and Girls in Sport Week’s theme is celebrating being active. Helping empower people to be active and emphasising that even small amounts of activity can be extremely valuable while celebrating people and clubs who are removing barriers which discourage women and girls from participating in sport. Maureen Campbell said: “Women and Girls in Sport Week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the great work being delivered across the sporting system to encourage more women and girls to become physically active. “Sport makes a huge impact on people and communities across Scotland every day, and sportscotland’s aim is to help make sport accessible to all. We must continue to do all we can to break down barriers to sport and help ensure women and girls are able to experience the benefits of being physically active.” And Judith McCleary, said: “It was an incredible honour to have the Scottish Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart, visit Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion this morning as part of Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, and to present Simone Hamill with her JudoScotland Volunteer of the Year Award. “Judo truly is a sport for all, and we’re proud to shine a spotlight on the incredible work happening in our clubs to create inclusive, empowering spaces for women and girls across Scotland.” *Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .