SouthWest Judo Academy is proud to acknowledge two of our emerging athletes, Kayla Nae and Nate Stevens, who recently attended the 2026 National NextGen Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra from 15–18 January 2026.
The National NextGen Camp is a Judo Australia pathways initiative designed for young judoka preparing to transition into Cadet competition. With limited places nationally, the camp provides a high-quality development environment focused on competition fundamentals, athletic development, and building strong habits for long-term progression in the sport.
The WA contingent was supported at the camp by Catia Maia (Judo WA State Coach and Pathways & Performance Committee Chair), helping guide athletes through the experience and reinforcing key learning outcomes throughout the program.
Across three days at the AIS, athletes participated in an integrated program combining technical development, physical literacy, and athlete education, including:
- Judo training sessions focused on essential skills for competitive judo
- Fun and structured activities to develop physical abilities on and off the mat
- Athlete education, including goal setting and performing at your best
- Guidance on transitioning from senior girl/boy to Cadet competition
- An introduction to the Judo Australia High Performance program and pathway expectations
- An AIS tour and exposure to a national high-performance training environment
Experiences like the NextGen Camp help young athletes build confidence and clarity as they take the next steps in their judo journey. It also provides valuable perspective on the standards and habits that support progression as athletes move into Cadets and beyond.
We congratulate Kayla and Nate on earning the opportunity to attend and thank their families for the commitment involved in supporting pathway opportunities like this.
Related: Judo WA’s full recap is available here:
https://www.judowa.org.au/2026/01/19/wa-athletes-attend-2026-national-nextgen-camp/
