March 10, 2023

Dear USA Judo Members,

USA Judo has been part of the American Judo Alliance Agreement with the US Judo Association (JA) and US Judo Federation (JF) for the last six years.  That agreement will expire on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Both JA and JF were notified by USA Judo last fall that we would not be able to renew the agreement as it was written due to increased athlete safety mandates required by the U.S. Center for SafeSport that needed to be addressed. Unfortunately, the three organizations have not been able to come to a renewal agreement prior to the expiration of the current agreement next Tuesday.

What does this mean for USA Judo, JA and JF Members?

  • USA Judo Sanctioned events will allow ONLY USA Judo Members to compete effective March 15, 2023.

  • USA Judo Members’ participant accident insurance will not cover any injuries sustained at a non-USA Judo Sanctioned event, nor at a non-USA Judo Club.

  • USA Judo will allow JA and JF Certified Coaches to coach at the 2023 Youth Nationals in Lubbock, TX March 18-19. A USA Judo Coaching Certification will be required at all future USA Judo Sanctioned events beginning on March 20, 2023.
  • The U.S. Center for SafeSport Trainings and Certifications as well as NCSI Background Screening applications through the links found on the Sport:80 Membership Platform will be available for USA Judo Members only.

You can find a full list of changes here. 

We understand that these are significant changes to many in the United States judo community. Therefore, in order to ease this transition, USA Judo is offering a member discount to the following to JA and JF members:

  • Shortly after the 2023 USA Judo Youth Nationals (March 18-19, 2023), individuals who have either been a JA or JF Member only in the last five years OR have not been a USA Judo member in the last five years, may purchase a prorated, time-limited USA Judo Membership for the remainder of 2023 based on the $100 membership fee for 12 months. Upon expiration of this special, 2023-only membership on December 31, 2023, these members will need to pay the full membership rate for 2024 to remain a current USA Judo Member.

We are disappointed that more fruitful discussions with JA and JF did not occur. Our biggest concern is the safety of all participants and the ability for individuals to train and compete as much as possible as we continue to grow our sport in the United States. Now is the time for change to further develop and grow our sport. 

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the USA Judo office at 719-866-4730 or at usajudo@usajudo.us.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support and we look forward to the improvement of judo in the United States!

With gratitude,

Joe Ragan
Chairman of the USA Judo Board of Directors     

Keith Bryant
USA Judo CEO