A volunteer has been recognised for her outstanding contributions to Judo and her community.
Simone Hamill, of Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion, was named Volunteer of the Year at the JudoScotland Community Awards for her dedication to female engagement, adaptive judo and club governance.
Having stepped away from the sport in her youth, Simone’s return to judo was inspired by her son, who joined the club and reignited her passion for the sport.
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Simone said: "Probably 10 years ago, I didn't go anywhere, I didn't socialise with anybody, I suffered really badly with anxiety, and now I'm never in the house, I'm always out doing something, going somewhere – so it's totally changed my life.
"It's gone from something that I did when I was younger that I still always spoke about to being my whole life.
"Half past ten at night, I'm printing certificates for people, and I'm thinking about what's coming the next day and planning and organising it.
"I just love it."
Part of what inspired Simone to get involved with coaching stemmed from her own feelings of uncertainty when returning to the mat.
In particular, she wanted to help tackle the hesitancy she found among young girls and women.
Simone said: "Being an adult woman coming back onto a judo mat, and to be the only female in the class, is a very intimidating place to be.
"I knew that if I could work really hard and get my Coaching Level One, I could provide a space for women where they didn't have to feel how I felt my first night back.
"They could come in, they could see women of all different shapes and sizes, all different levels of ability and fitness, and they could just get involved and feel comfortable doing it rather than having that anxiety that I experienced."
The Volunteer of the Year award celebrates Simone’s impact as a coach and as the club’s secretary, where she has supported disability sessions, built a welcoming environment for carers and parents, and assisted with the delivery of ASN sessions at local primary schools.
Her work has opened up sport to disabled adults and young people, promoting both physical and mental wellbeing.
As club secretary, she also played a key role in the club achieving JudoMARK accreditation and securing funding through grants and trusts.
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Reflecting on her award, Simone said: "I felt really honoured to receive this award.
"I couldn't believe that I had won it.
"I know first-hand the hard work and the amazing volunteers that are across the judo community as a whole, so for me to be picked out of all of them, I'm incredibly grateful."
Simone was presented with her award at Hamilton Judo Club Inclusion by JudoScotland chief executive Judith McCleary and Scottish Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart, on Tuesday.
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