A scholarship fund for women in Shodokan Aikido

The Kovacs Middleton Fund helps women train, compete, grade and referee in Shodokan Aikido — with a particular focus on single mothers and women facing financial disadvantage. Founded by Sara Kovacs Middleton, 4th Dan.

Donate Now Sara’s Story

Drop a photo of Sara or a Shodokan Aikido randori

Scholarships & Bursaries

Travel, training and dojo fee support for women facing financial disadvantage, including single mothers, and bursaries for grading progression at Osaka Honbu Dojo.

Competition & Refereeing

A structured inter-club competition programme building women’s competitive experience and referee development across the UK.

Club & Community Support

Equipment grants and operational aid for the women who run Aikido clubs, and stronger ties between the UK and the Honbu Dojo.

Drop a portrait of Sara Kovacs Middleton

Our Founder

“Aikido has given me satisfaction, experience and joy throughout my life. In facing this diagnosis, I saw an opportunity to give back to the women I admire most.”

Sara Kovacs Middleton — 4th Dan, founder of the Kovacs Middleton Fund

Read her full story →

Women the Fund has already supported

Meet the community →

Drop a photo

Support for Single Mothers Bursary — £4,000 toward a visit to Osaka Honbu Dojo

Carol

Trains at Sussex Aikido, now a Yondan and regular coach, balancing training with raising her daughter as a single parent.

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Orange Belt to Shodan Development Bursary — £700

Mai Vu

A stalwart member of the Greenwich club, supported toward travel to training and seminars in the UK and abroad.

Time matters

Sara is building this Fund while she still can lead it. Your support today decides how many women it reaches.

Support the Fund

The Kovacs Middleton Fund