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Bio:

Men’s Head GB Coach for London 2012 Olympic Team. High Performance Coach for Scotland. Billy has been involved in every Olympic Games, as either a player or coach, since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.


Billy was personal and mat side coach for five of the London 2012 Olympians and was the coach for many athletes in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Billy has been involved in judo his whole life, and began his coaching career in schools within Edinburgh.


He has 29 years of coaching experience, from grassroots level, through to World Championships, Commonwealth and Olympic Games. Travelling through judo, has allowed him to see parts of the world, that as a child, he could have only dreamed of. He has met many people on his judo journey, leading to long lasting friendships.


Billy is involved with Edinburgh Judo on every level and you will often see him on the mat coaching all of our children and adults, passing on his knowledge and experiences.

Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog"

Favourite Judo Moment:

Competing in the Barcelona Olympics!

Favourite Judo Player:

Yasahiro Yamashita

Favourite Judo Technique:

Uchi Mata

Other Interests:

The Marx Brothers

Billy Cusack

Director of Coaching

Coach Level: 

Level 3 UKCC

Nickname:

Billy the Boss

Grade:

7th Dan

Bio:

I have always had a ‘never give up’ attitude, it’s helped me throughout my sporting career and I know it will stand me in greater stead moving forward. I now love what I do. I am part of a wonderful family within the judo club and the wider community.


People that care and want to make a difference. I’d like to continue being part of growing and developing and helping people to fulfil their potential.

Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"The real journey begins when you stand back up again"

Favourite Judo Moment:

Winning the European title in 2006 and beating one of, if not the greatest female player of our generation, Lucie Decosse of France. Also, because, in the lead up to the tournament, I’d been injured, and I believe most people didn’t think I could do it.

Favourite Judo Player:

Kosei Inoue, Neil Adams

Favourite Judo Technique:

Uchi Mata

Other Interests:

Lorraine when she laughs at “Billyyyyyyyy”

Sarah Clark

CEO

Coach Level: 

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Clarky

Grade:

6th Dan

Bio:

Tokyo Olympian and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Champion.  I have endured many ups and downs during my judo career. This has made me the person I am today and has built in me a drive to help others become better today than than they were yesterday. I believe that having the right people around you to support your journey, whatever that may be, is extremely important and leads to better experiences and results.

Involved in coaching judo on many levels from grassroots to performance.  I have delivered programmes as an athlete mentor, and as a role model for young people from a diverse range of backgrounds that has led me to positively influence the lives of many more.

Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday!"

Favourite Judo Moment:

Winning the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow because both my Mum and Dad were in the crowd.

Favourite Judo Player:

Kosei Inoue

Favourite Judo Technique:

O Soto/Harai Goshi

Other Interests:

A lot of things, it’s good to laugh.

Sarah Adlington

UKCC Level 2 Coach

Coach Level: 

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Big Sarah

Grade:

4th Dan

Meet The Team

We're here to Help

Contact Lorraine for any information about classes and booking a trial session. Talk to her via our live chat, give her a call on +44 7710 795216 or press the button below!

Lorraine Cusack-Brown

Admin & Office Manager

Nickname:

The Problem Solver

Why They Started Judo:

I was bored at uni, so came to chuck people about for fun.

Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"If I don't see you through the week, I'll see you through the window."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Winning bronze and eating croissants at a university teams tournament in Paris

Favourite Judo Player:

Christa Deguchi

Favourite Judo Technique:

Juji Gatame

Other Interests:

Ice skating and playing video games.

Andrea Robertson

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Gazza

Grade:

1st Kyu

Why They Started Judo:

Too much energy and it was important to do Japanese martial art because of my family.

Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"Chop wood, carry water."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

My best moment was being given a kendo sword as a gift from the Tsukuba team after spending 7 weeks with them earning their respect and making life long friends!

Favourite Judo Player:

Tadahiro Nomura

Favourite Judo Technique:

Uchi Mata

Other Interests:

I like to cook and I like to visit nice restaurants and cafes.

Alexander Short

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Grade:

2nd Dan

Why They Started Judo:
Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"Doesn’t matter what happened just get back up and don’t stop"

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Becoming a coach.

Favourite Judo Player:

Shohei Ono

Favourite Judo Technique:

Ouchi Gari

Other Interests:

Tom and Jerry

Ethyn Smith

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Smithy

Grade:

1st Dan

Why They Started Judo:
Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you sew."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Having a training session at the Kodokan – the birthplace of Judo.

Favourite Judo Player:

Shohei Ono

Favourite Judo Technique:

Osoto Gari

Other Interests:

Come Fly With Me

Ollie Short

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Ol

Grade:

1st Dan

Why They Started Judo:
Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"You'll never know if something is for you until you try it. Why don't you come and try Edinburgh Judo?!"

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Training at Ratho with the national team!

Favourite Judo Player:

Georgii Zantaraiai

Favourite Judo Technique:

Seio Nage

Other Interests:

Steve Carell

Parham Benham

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Paz

Grade:

1st Kyu

Why They Started Judo:

My mum thought my brother and I would look cute in judo kits.

Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"The grass is greener where you water it."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Winning my line up to get my black belt!

Favourite Judo Player:

Tadahiro Nomura

Favourite Judo Technique:

Ippon Seio-Nage

Other Interests:

Bouldering

Aine Ferry

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Tomato Face

Grade:

1st Dan

Why They Started Judo:

Parents signed me up for judo.

Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"“Might not be your fault lads eh…”

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Getting my black belt!

Favourite Judo Player:

Henrik Larsson

Favourite Judo Technique:

Drop Seio-Nage

Other Interests:

Beach

Jack Ferry

UKCC Level 2 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Jack

Grade:

1st Dan

Why They Started Judo:
Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"You'll never know if something is for you until you try it. Why don't you come and try Edinburgh Judo?!"

Favourite Judo Moment: 

5th at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014.

Favourite Judo Player:

Patrick Dawson

Favourite Judo Technique:

Osoto Gari

Other Interests:

People trying to do my (Irish) accent!

Eoin Fleming

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Irish

Grade:

2nd Dan

Why They Started Judo:

I wasn't old enough for fencing so started judo. Later fenced for a while but always stuck with judo.

Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

“Speak softly and carry a big stick”

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Watching Big Sarah win her second CWG gold while surrounded by friends and family, it was an awesome day.

Favourite Judo Player:

Yasuhiro Yamashita

Favourite Judo Technique:

Harai Goshi

Other Interests:

Spending time with family, being on/in/around water, mountain biking and clay pigeon shooting.

Gavin McNeill

UKCC Level 2 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Big Gav

Grade:

5th Dan

Why They Started Judo:

I went along with a friend and never left.

Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"Do today what others won't, so tomorrow you can do what others can't."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Receiving my Black Belt!

Favourite Judo Player:

Shohei Ono

Favourite Judo Technique:

Uchi Mata

Other Interests:

Napping

Craig Arundel

UKCC Level 2 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Arnold

Grade:

2nd Dan

Why They Started Judo:
Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

If you cant find a way, make a way!

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Getting my black belt.

Favourite Judo Player:

Davlat Bobonov

Favourite Judo Technique:

Drop Seoi Nage

Other Interests:

History, travel, football and rugby.

Jason Davis

UKCC Level 2 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Jamazin

Grade:

2nd Dan

Why They Started Judo:
Favourite Motivational Quote/Song:

"Working hard or hardly working?"

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Meeting, and going for dinner with, Yasuhiro Yamashita.

Favourite Judo Player:

Yasuhiro Yamashita

Favourite Judo Technique:

Uchimata

Other Interests:

Breakfast

Scott Cusack

UKCC Level 2 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Big Conky

Grade:

1st Dan

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