Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week - Amy Golder

Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week from Monday 30 September - Sunday 6 October is firmly established as a highly recognisable campaign supported by sportscotland, Scottish governing bodies, Active Schools and wider key partners, engaging and building content around the week. 

This year the week encourages all women and girls in Scotland to lead the way by providing opportunities to celebrate the many ways they can help lead others to start some form of exercise / physical activity. 

Orkney’s Amy Golder epitomises what being a leader within sport means. 

She may be just 22, but she has an incredible medal and title tally under her kickboxing belt - having been named World Champion 48 times; European Champion 17 times and British Champion 28 times. 

Much more than that though, Amy has been sharing her skills with others, not just here in Orkney but across the world. 

She said: “I teach kickboxing at the A.K.A Orkney Dojo on Scott's Road, in Hatston. We offer classes for 4-7 year olds, 8-11 year olds and 12 years olds all the way up to adults on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.  

“I have also taught Zoominars all around the world to classes of up to 70 fighters and as far away as USA and Canada.” 

Amy has also carried out school visits to Stenness and Shapinsay and plans to do some more in 2025. 

Her students are also now enjoying successes in their own rights. 

“Our students have started competing and so far they have won six Novice Scottish Titles and two Silvers in Advanced Scottish Categories. Seeing students of all ages progress is incredibly rewarding. I enjoy watching children learn how to coordinate their limbs and adults regaining muscle strength and mobility they thought they had lost.” 

It was a school visit by her Sensei (teacher), Ryan, that first whetted Amy’s appetite for the sport.    

"I loved it immediately and went to a class the next day in Stromness Community Centre. I went from attending once a week, to twice a week, to three times a week and then four times a week. I put my success down to consistent attendance and hard work.  

“I enjoy the performance high I get from competing and seeing the results of all the hard work I have put into my training.”  

She feels physical exercise of any kind is so important for the body and the mind. 

 "Your health will be better in the long run and mentally you will be happier with the endorphins produced from the exercise. Finding something you love doing is important for self-satisfaction and motivation for other parts of your life.  

“Kickboxing is great for fitness, flexibility, strength, finding friends and also later on learning the best ways to defend yourself in those unfortunate situations.” 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “What an incredible record of achievement – not just in terms of her personal tally, but also for sharing her knowledge with others. Amy is a shining example of a leader among women and girls in sport.” 

 #letsmovetogether #shecanshewill