Welsh Judo Appoint Michael Horley As New National Coach

By David Williams

Former Great Britain international Michael Horley has been appointed as the new national coach by Welsh Judo.

The 35-year-old will start this summer after moving from Canada, where he worked as high performance coach for Judo Saskatchewan within their performance programme.

Before moving into coaching, Horley was a regular GB international and achieved a number one European ranking in 2013, the year he also won a gold medal at the European Cup in Germany.

He competed at the World Championships in Tokyo in 2010.

Horley, who grew up in Carlisle, has also held recent coaching positions within Judo Scotland.

https://twitter.com/LucyScottWJA/status/1647955411805274114?s=20

Welsh Judo chief executive Lucy Scott said: “Michael brings a wealth of experience from strong Judo nations that spans across the whole pathway, which is a fundamental pillar in our new strategy.

“We look forward to Michael starting with us in June and meeting the Welsh Judo community.”

Welsh Judo had six judoka competing for Team Wales at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham – Natalie Powell, Gregg Varey, Daniel Rabbitt, Callum Bennett, Ashleigh Barnikel and Jasmine Hacker-Jones.

Until Horley starts, Varey will be one of the Team Bath coaches assisting the current national squad, alongside Adam Hall.