Southern Cross Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Throwback to where it all began 🔥

This weekend is the World Championships in Long Beach, California!

Did you know it’s been 30 years since the very first IBJJF World Championship, which took place in 1996?

We’re still inspired by these two pieces of history on our gym wall every single day:
→ On the right: The original poster from the 1st Mundial in 1996.
→ On the left: A rare competitor t-shirt from the 4th Mundial in 1999, handed out to athletes like our coach Rodney, one of the first Australians to ever compete at the IBJJF Worlds in Rio.

These items tell the story of BJJ’s early days — from grassroots events in Brazil to the global sport we love today. A powerful daily reminder of the pioneers who paved the way.

Grateful. Inspired. Motivated. Oss 💪

Sutherland Shire closed their training field, so they found the big blue mat!

bjjnsw caringbah cronulla sutherlandshire mma mixedmartialarts judo grappling jiujitsu brazilianjiujitsu wrestling fitness novauniao nswbjj sydneybjj  everydayporrada  martialarts

Drop-ins Are One of BJJ's Best Kept Secrets

Last night we had Tim drop in from Nova Uniao Canada — black belt, great guy, and he rolled with about 4 or 5 guys before the night was out.

That's one of the things that makes jiu-jitsu genuinely different from almost every other sport or martial art. Walk into any credible BJJ gym anywhere in the world, introduce yourself, and you'll be welcomed on the mat.

No politics, no awkwardness — just roll.

It works because jiu-jitsu has a shared language. It doesn't matter if you trained in Rio, Tokyo, Toronto, or Caringbah — the positions are the positions, the submissions are the submissions. Within two minutes of rolling you know exactly who you're dealing with and what they're about.

No conversation required.

If you're ever travelling — whether it's interstate or overseas — look up the local BJJ gyms and just show up. Bring your gi, introduce yourself, and train. You'll meet people you'd never otherwise meet, pick up details you'd never otherwise see, and leave with a connection to a gym on the other side of the world.

Thanks for coming in Tim — hope the rest of your trip is great, and the mat's open any time you're back in the Shire. 🤙
📍 Caringbah, NSW
🔗 Link in bio

We're back after the holidays!

Want to give your child a go? More information on a free trial here:

https://kids.scjja.com

"Thursday Night Grading — Two purple belts and a blue belt — three stories worth telling"

Let's start with Keith. Because Keith deserves to go first.

Keith is 60 years old. Last Thursday night he earned his purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — one of the most physically demanding martial arts on the planet. But what Coach Rodney mentioned on the night wasn't Keith's age or even his belt. It was this: Keith almost never misses the warm-up. In fact he often leads it.

In a room full of people in their 20s and 30s who are still figuring out how to be consistent, Keith is the one setting the standard. His purple belt isn't just a rank — it's proof that showing up, every week, no excuses, compounds into something extraordinary over time.

If you're reading this thinking you're too old to start — Keith started his BJJ journey well into adulthood and just earned his purple belt at 60. What's your excuse?

Shane received his purple belt with his father watching from the side of the mat — having flown over from Ireland just a few days earlier. If you've trained BJJ you know how long the road from blue to purple is. Years of showing up, getting tapped, getting back up. To have your dad in the room when that belt gets tied around your waist — that's a moment that doesn't need any commentary.

Nick's path to blue was a little different. He'd missed the blue belt checkpoint due to being away for work, so instead of a single grading night, Rodney worked through it with him quietly over several consecutive Thursday sessions, filling in the gaps properly.

That's how it works at SCJJA. There's no schedule, no grading fees, no ceremony for its own sake. When you're ready, Coach Rodney will let you know. Nick was ready.

Congratulations on your blue belt Nick — the journey to purple starts now. 🤙

Two purple belts and a blue. One dad watching wondering what was going on. One 60-year-old leading the warm-up. One guy who got there his own way, on his own timeline.

This is why we train. Congratulations Shane, Keith, and Nick. 🥋

Thinking about starting your own BJJ journey? Your first week at SCJJA is completely free — no contracts, no pressure.

Find out more here:
https://trial.scjja.com/?refid=2819AA0C-3658-D215-7326-DE3011338FC2

Another ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review!

Gathering post 4/4

With James' grading, that makes a dozen home grown black belts that have trained on the SCJJA mats in 2025 (plus head coach Rodney).

And it was a pleasure to have all of them available at once for a rare photo!

Who will be added to the list in 2026?

Gathering post 3/4

Congratulations to James Mishevski who last Thursday became just the 15th person to go from white belt to black belt at SCJJA.

12 years of toil, capped of by winning his brown belt division at the Pan Pacs 2 months ago.

Congrats again James!

Gathering post 2/4

Congratulations to our 2025 Club Persons of the Year: Leilah & Daniel!

Gathering post 1/4

Last Thursday we held our Annual Gathering.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!