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?
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?
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?
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?
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:
Henchie
Grade:
1st Kyu
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