6 October 2025
After completing their rugby passing drills, the young players swapped the pitch mentality for a tatami mentality. Coach Gordon led the session, focusing on the contact side of the game – how to tackle, how to take a tackle, and how to stay safe under pressure.
The result? An energetic, focused group of kids who showed just how quickly progress can be made when learning through a different sport.
Coach Gordon explained:
“This shows what can happen when different sports help each other. The work AGRFC do is amazing and asking for help with contact, fits perfectly into our area of expertise. We’re always happy to help this fantastic group of kids and their progresive coaches.”
This wasn’t the first time Aberdeen Grammar Rugby and Ultimate Judo have teamed up. Last season, the AGRFC Under-15s took part in a hard training session on the tatami, working on contact skills, body positioning, and confidence in collisions. That strong foundation made this year’s P6 and P7 takeover even more effective, showing how regular cross training builds lasting benefits for club.
Judo and rugby share more in common than you might think. Both demand balance, body awareness, strength, and resilience. By using judo for rugby cross training, players learn how to:
Stay safe in contact situations
Improve tackling technique
Build confidence in body-to-body collisions
Develop better core strength and balance
Gain respect for discipline and teamwork
This makes judo an ideal partner sport for rugby, particularly for developing young players who are still building confidence in contact.
The collaboration between Aberdeen Grammar Rugby and Ultimate Judo highlights the importance of clubs across Aberdeen working together. Cross training opportunities like this don’t just benefit the players – they strengthen the wider sporting community in the city.
By opening doors between rugby and judo, kids are given new tools to succeed, coaches share expertise, and everyone learns from the experience. It’s a win for both sports.
Aberdeen has a proud tradition of producing talented athletes across many sports. By encouraging crossover between clubs like AGRFC and Ultimate Judo, we’re helping to develop well-rounded, resilient young athletes who will carry the values of respect, courage, and teamwork with them – whether on the pitch or the tatami.
The dojo takeover was more than just a storm workaround – it was a celebration of how collaboration builds stronger athletes and stronger communities. With more sessions like this, the future of both rugby and judo in Aberdeen looks bright.
Always Forward.
6 October 2025
