A young member of the Judo community is impressing Yukon senseis.

Brandon Butler, 15, won an outstanding youth achievement award.

The young judoka impressed Dan Poelman of the Northern Lights Judo Club with his volunteering to help coach younger judokas.

“He’s very good with the kids,” said Poelman.

Fluent in French, Butler has his brown belt in judo and helps out at Poelman’s club, which is primarily for kids under 12 and adults. Butler’s father attends classes there.

Butler himself practices out of Aaron Jensen’s club, Shiroumakai. He has competed at the territorial and national level.

Anyone can nominate youth for the award and Poelman also nominated a few other youngsters that volunteer at his club.

Jacob and Shayne Melanson were the other two names he put forward.

“They’re very outstanding individuals,” he said of his youth volunteers. “They help out a lot.”

Poelman said the youth are volunteering about one to two hours a week, on top of school and other commitments.

Butler is also in a band and performed with his heavy metal band, Warrmauth at the Atlin Music Festival this summer.

Butler is currently training to get his black belt.

By Marissa Tiel, Star Sports Editor