Over the weekend of 20–21 September 2025, Judo Western Australia partnered with Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) to deliver a series of nationally recognised training courses in First Aid, CPR, and Level 1 Sports Trainer. Held at SouthWest Judo Academy in Port Kennedy, the sessions brought together coaches, athletes, volunteers, and parents from across the WA judo community to improve our collective readiness when it comes to safety and injury response.

Participants from the First Aid & CPR course on Saturday at SouthWest Judo Academy

In a combat sport like judo, the potential for falls, joint injuries, and head knocks is always present. While prevention is always the goal, having trained individuals who can confidently respond when things go wrong is essential. These courses gave participants the chance to develop and refine critical first response skills in both simulated and real-world scenarios.

Hands-on CPR practice during the Saturday session

Each course included an online learning component followed by in-person practical sessions. The content ranged from CPR and emergency response protocols, through to concussion recognition, wound management, and even athlete transport techniques. The Level 1 Sports Trainer course also introduced more advanced topics such as strapping and taping, hydration and nutrition in sport, and managing common sporting illnesses and injuries.

It was fantastic to see participants from a wide variety of clubs and roles come together for the weekend, some even completing multiple courses to expand their accreditation.

In total, 19 people took part in the training across the weekend:

HLTAID011 – Provide First Aid (Including CPR)

• Auen Salcedo (Lakay Judo Club)
• Benjamin Agurto Vilches (UWA Judo Club)
• Danny Wong (UWA Judo Club)
• Daniel Stevens (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Galal Abdellatif (Australian Institute of Judo)
• Jacob Read (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Jake Eduardo (Lakay Judo Club)
• Jenalyn Eduardo (Lakay Judo Club)
• Krystal Thompson (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Michael Ng (UWA Judo Club)
• Nytalia McCracken (UWA Judo Club)
• Olivia Knights (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Paul Kendrick (Muchea Judo Club)
• Perry Lugg (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Peter Woollons (UWA Judo Club)
• Simon Read (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Zackary Buck (SouthWest Judo Academy)

Level 1 Sports Trainer

• Andrew Dennehy (UWA Judo Club)
• Daniel Stevens (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Jacob Read (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Krystal Thompson (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Melissa Dennehy (UWA Judo Club)
• Michael Ng (UWA Judo Club)
• Olivia Knights (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Perry Lugg (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Simon Read (SouthWest Judo Academy)
• Thomas Knights (SouthWest Judo Academy)

Participants from the Level 1 Sports Trainer course on Sunday

Judo WA CEO Jacob Read with one of the course facilitators from Sports Medicine Australia

This was Judo WA’s first time hosting training of this nature in partnership with SMA, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear that there’s a strong appetite within our community for further education in areas like athlete care and injury management.

We’re looking forward to continuing our collaboration with SMA and are already exploring future opportunities to deliver additional training for our members, including courses in sports taping, concussion management, and refresher sessions for First Aid and CPR.

Thank you again to all who participated – your commitment to upskilling plays a big role in helping us build safer mats for everyone.