02/06/2026
The past two weekends have been very special for our team.
Winning both the Scottish and European Championships means that Widnes has now brought home 32 championship flags. It’s a statistic I’m incredibly proud of, but the flags themselves only tell a small part of the story.
People often see the person carrying the flag at the end of the day, but winning a championship is never about one person. It takes dedicated instructors who give up their time week after week, supportive families who spend countless weekends travelling the country, and students who simply love what they do and are willing to put the work in.
What makes me proudest is that our approach has never been to pressure people into winning. We go to tournaments to enjoy ourselves, make friends, support each other and represent our school in the right way. The medals and trophies are a by-product of that.
Our responsibility is to make sure that everyone who attends has a positive experience, whether they finish first or last. We want people to leave having enjoyed their day and looking forward to the next one.
We also have a responsibility to set a good example. To compete hard, behave well, help others where we can, and contribute positively to the events we attend.
The results have been fantastic, but when I look back on the last two weekends, what I will remember most are the smiles, the friendships, the support shown between schools, and the feeling of being surrounded by people who genuinely care about this art.
Thank you to everyone who played their part.
I’m very proud of all of you.
