A Family on the Mat: Emma and Harriet McRae’s Judo Journey

For Emma and Harriet McRae, judo isn’t just a sport — it’s the thread that runs through their family life.

It’s where they challenge each other, support each other, and quite literally throw each other around. Their journey highlights the power of female participation in judo and the unique way the sport brings families together across generations.

Harriet first stepped onto the tatami at just four or five years old after swapping ballet for something that suited her energy better. A newspaper advert led her parents to a local judo club — and she never looked back.

Now 21 and a 1st Dan, Harriet has competed across the UK and internationally, most notably winning bronze at the 2024 Junior European Cup in Birmingham. She spent years training full-time, travelling the world, and immersing herself in elite performance judo before deciding to pursue a new professional chapter through an apprenticeship in the early years industry.

But while Harriet’s journey began in early childhood, Emma’s started much later — at 38.

As Harriet grew into her teenage years, there were few girls her size available to train with. She often partnered older boys and sometimes simply wanted to train with another female. So Emma made a decision that would change both of their lives:

She put on a gi.

Now 47 and a 1st Kyu, Emma has been practising judo for nine years and describes it as one of the best decisions she has ever made.

“I have never been as fit and healthy as I am now,” Emma says. “As soon as you step onto the tatami, you won’t be able to stay off it.”

What began as support for her daughter quickly became a shared passion.

Both Emma and Harriet use the same phrase when describing their club: second family.

The dojo is their home from home — a place of belonging, resilience and friendship. For Harriet, it’s the people who have kept her in the sport through childhood, elite competition, and now into adulthood. For Emma, it’s the constant learning, the shared values, and the community spirit that makes her return week after week.

And then there’s the joy of training together.

“Training together allows quality time that we can’t always spend together with our busy days,” Harriet explains.

Emma agrees — with a smile:

“There aren’t many sports where you can throw your mother or daughter into the mat. It’s a very useful way to decide who’s doing the housework when we get home!”

Judo has given them a shared language — of effort, discipline, humour and mutual respect.

The McRaes describe themselves as a “proper judo-loving family,” and it’s easy to see why.

Emma’s husband Simon serves as club chairman, and Harriet’s brother Jack has competed nationally and internationally, winning multiple medals. Both Simon and Jack volunteer as timekeepers for Hampshire and Southern Area Judo. Coaching and volunteering aren’t occasional commitments — they are woven into everyday life.

Emma works full-time in customer service and internal sales for Northern Europe for Oase, while also volunteering and coaching at the club four nights a week and attending competitions most weekends. She additionally volunteers as an Event Welfare Officer at competitions. When she does find downtime, she channels her energy into ultra-running, having completed three 100km events — with a 108km Isle of Wight challenge next.

Harriet, alongside her apprenticeship, coaches at The Judo Company and plays football in her spare time. Having once been the young athlete supported by her club, she now stands on the other side of the mat, guiding the next generation.

The pair even completed their coaching qualifications together — another milestone shared.

“You never stop learning,” Emma says.

Their story underlines something powerful about judo: it is adaptable for everyone. Age, size, background — none of it is a barrier.

Harriet grew up in the sport, progressing to international podiums. Emma began at 38 and discovered a new level of fitness and confidence. Together, they represent the message that judo is for women and girls at every stage of life — whether stepping on the mat for the first time or stepping up to coach others.

Emma’s decision to train wasn’t just about supporting Harriet; it helped create visible female representation within their club. Now, young girls see women not only competing, but coaching, leading and volunteering.

Both share the same advice for anyone thinking about giving judo a go:

“Go for it. You never know until you try.”

Judo has strengthened their relationship as mother and daughter. It has built resilience, confidence and lifelong friendships. It has shown that participation in sport doesn’t have an expiry date — and that women can step onto the tatami at any age.

For the McRaes, judo is more than a weekly activity. It’s a lifestyle. It’s family time. It’s community.

Emma and Harriet’s story perfectly captures what judo can offer women and girls at every stage of life — confidence, connection, strength and community. Opportunities like British Judo’s Female Fighters Festival continue to build on that spirit, creating welcoming spaces where women and girls of all ages and abilities can come together, try judo, develop their skills and be inspired by others on the same journey. Whether you’re stepping onto the tatami for the very first time or returning after years away, the Female Fighters Festival is a celebration of female participation — and proof that, just like the McRaes, there is a place for you in judo.

Click here for more information British Judo’s Female Fighters’ Festival taking place this weekend

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