Founded by Sara Kovacs Middleton, 4th Dan
A scholarship fund for women in Shodokan Aikido
The Kovacs Fund helps women train, compete, grade and referee in Shodokan Aikido with a particular focus on those facing financial disadvantage and female club instructors.
01
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.
02
Competition & Refereeing
A structured inter-club competition programme building women’s competitive experience and referee development across the UK.
03
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.
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 Fund
Read her full story →
Women the Fund has already supported
Meet the community →
Honbu Travel Bursary — £4,000 toward a visit to Osaka Honbu Dojo
Carole Grey
Trains at Sussex Aikido, now a Yondan and regular coach, balancing training with raising her daughter as a single parent.
Technical Development Programme — £700
Mai Vu
A stalwart member of the Shodokan Greenwich club, supported toward her travel costs between Oxford and Greenwich.
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 Fund
© 2026 Kovacs Fund – a stand-alone fund within the Shodokan Aikido UK Fund housed by trustee Chapel & York