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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:

Claiming the European title in 2006 and winning the final against one of (if not the greatest) female player of that generation, Lucie Decosse of France. In the lead up to the tournament I’d been injured, but I'd prepared in every way possible around the injury to be in the best shape I could be. I was psychologically in a great place and super excited to compete.

Favourite Judo Player:

Kosei Inoue

Favourite Judo Technique:

Uchi Mata

Other Interests:

I like to cook and try different recipes, although time is an issue!

Sarah Clark

CEO

Coach Level: 

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Clarky

Grade:

6th 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 Did You Start Judo?
Favourite Quote:

"Don’t compare yourself to others, try your best!"

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Going to watch Billy in the 1992 Olympics, it really changed my mind about competing; and becoming a medalist at Commonwealth Games in 2002.

Favourite Judo Player:

Ryoko Tani

Favourite Judo Technique:

Kouchi Gari

Other Interests:

Taking my kids to activities. Maybe one day I’ll get to do some myself!

Karen Cusack

UKCC Level 2 Junior Development Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Grade:

1st Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

My dad did judo when he was younger, then my big brother started judo and used to go and watch him and couldn't wait until I was old enough to start!

Favourite Quote:

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

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Making history by retaining my Commonwealth title at Birmingham 2022 with lots of family and close friends there to celebrate with.

Favourite Judo Player:

Kosei Inoue

Favourite Judo Technique:

O Soto Gari/Harai Goshi

Other Interests:

Trying to learn the guitar, having a fire pit on the beach, eating good food with friends!

Sarah Adlington

UKCC Level 2 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Big Sarah/Ginge

Grade:

4th Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

I watched my dad doing judo and copied him so he bought me a kit.

Favourite Quote:

"It’s a marathon not a sprint."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Winning bronze in the Serbia European Open.

Favourite Judo Player:

Kosei Inoue

Favourite Judo Technique:

Uchi Mata

Other Interests:

Playing rugby and listening to music.

Reece Calder

UKCC Level 2 Junior Development Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Rooster

Grade:

3rd Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

Because it was part of my life from a young age.

Favourite Quote:

"Working hard or hardly working?"

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Meeting and going for dinner with Yasuhiro Yamashita.

Favourite Judo Player:

Yasuhiro Yamashita

Favourite Judo Technique:

Tai Otoshi

Other Interests:

Spending time with family and friends and watching sport.

Scott Cusack

UKCC Level 2 Junior Development Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Grade:

2nd Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

To learn how to defend myself.

Favourite Quote:

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 Did You Start Judo?

I went along with a friend and never left.

Favourite Quote:

"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 Did You Start Judo?
Favourite Quote:

"It's hard to beat a person that never gives up"

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Commonwealth Games Bronze Medal!

Favourite Judo Player:

Sabrina Filzmoser

Favourite Judo Technique:

Koshi Guruma

Other Interests:

Connie Ramsay

UKCC Level 2 Junior Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Ronnie

Grade:

2nd Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

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

Favourite Quote:

“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 Did You Start Judo?

Parents signed me up for judo.

Favourite Quote:

"“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 Did You Start Judo?

Needed a new sport!

Favourite Quote:

"Mountains will be climbed, cloud will clear."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Obtaining my 1st Dan / seeing Sally win her World Medal in Tokyo.

Favourite Judo Player:

Takanori Nagase

Favourite Judo Technique:

Osoto Gari

Other Interests:

Learn new things.

Euan Morse

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Morse

Grade:

3rd Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

For self-defence.

Favourite Quote:

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets, so love the people that treat you right, forget about those who don’t BELIEVE everything happens for a reason, if you get a chance, take it. If your life changes, let it. Nobody said life would be easy but they promised it would be worth it."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Watching Sally Conway win Bronze a the Olympic Games 2016.

Favourite Judo Player:

Kosei Inoue

Favourite Judo Technique:

Ko-Uchi-Gari

Other Interests:

I like to teach spinning exercise class, spending time with the family, being outside, walking, cycling, kayaking.

Kirsty McNeill

UKCC Level 2 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 2 UKCC

Nickname:

Kurst

Grade:

1st Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

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

Favourite Quote:

"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 Did You Start Judo?
Favourite Quote:

Favourite Judo Moment: 

5th at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014.

Favourite Judo Player:

Patrick Dawson

Favourite Judo Technique:

Osoto Gari

Other Interests:

Eoin Fleming

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Irish

Grade:

2nd Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

I was bored at uni, so came to get chucked about for fun.

Favourite Quote:

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

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Winning bronze at a university teams tournament in Paris and sightseeing after.

Favourite Judo Player:

Christa Deguchi

Favourite Judo Technique:

Juji Gatame

Other Interests:

Playing video games.

Andrea Robertson

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Gazza

Grade:

1st Kyu

Why Did You Start Judo?
Favourite Quote:

"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 Did You Start Judo?
Favourite Quote:

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Training at Ratho with the national team!

Favourite Judo Player:

Georgii Zantaraiai

Favourite Judo Technique:

Seio Nage

Other Interests:

Parham Benham

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Paz

Grade:

1st Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

Dad took me along when I was 5. Loved it ever since.

Favourite Quote:

"There are no losers, only winners and learners."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Getting to travel to places that I wouldn’t normally go.

Favourite Judo Player:

Manuel Lombardo

Favourite Judo Technique:

Uchi Mata

Other Interests:

Spending time with mates, studying (sometimes).

Andrew Lappin

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Lappin

Grade:

1st Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

Dad used to do it and took me along.

Favourite Quote:

"Hard work always beats talent."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

My first international training camp.

Favourite Judo Player:

Ryuju Nagayama

Favourite Judo Technique:

Osoto Gari

Other Interests:

Watching football.

Reece Edwards

UKCC Level 1 Coach

Coach Level:

Level 1 UKCC

Nickname:

Smarties

Grade:

1st Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

To try a different sport.

Favourite Quote:

"Never unprepared."

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Favourite Judo Player:

Mansur Isaev

Favourite Judo Technique:

Osoto Gari

Other Interests:

Watching sports.

Dylan Munro

Assistant Coach

Coach Level:

Assistant Coach

Nickname:

Grade:

1st Dan

Why Did You Start Judo?

My older brother did it.

Favourite Quote:

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

Favourite Judo Moment: 

Training in Japan.

Favourite Judo Player:

Rob Hamilton

Favourite Judo Technique:

Uchi Mata

Other Interests:

Poker

Ollie Short

Assistant Coach

Coach Level:

Assistant Coach

Nickname:

Grade:

2nd Dan

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