Kids & Teens Programme · Caringbah

Is Your Child
Being Pushed Around?

Coach Rodney was too. He knows exactly what it feels like — and he spent his career proving that jiu-jitsu is the most reliable way to change it. Your child's first week is completely free.

★ Ages 10 and above
★ No contracts for kids
★ Active Kids vouchers accepted
★ 100% money-back guarantee

Register For A Free Trial

We'll be in touch within a few hours to confirm class times.

No contracts. No pressure. We'll contact you within a few hours.

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You're In!

We'll be in touch shortly to book your child's first class. Check your inbox too.

Why This Programme Exists

Rodney Was
That Kid Too

In his first year of high school, Rodney lost his best childhood friend to drugs. It left him lonely — and a lonely kid in high school is a perfect target for bullies.

"I know exactly what it feels like to walk into school dreading the day. Jiu-jitsu didn't just teach me how to defend myself — it changed who I was. That's what I want for the kids who come through here."

— Coach Rodney Ellis, 5th Degree Black Belt

He was introduced to jiu-jitsu by Gordon Griffiths at the Sylvania Heights Youth Centre. For five years, Gordon watched Rodney lose every single fight in every single tournament. But he believed in him and kept developing him. And Rodney didn't quit.

Eventually, Rodney moved to Rio de Janeiro, trained at Nova Uniao — the world's most prestigious BJJ academy — under André Pederneiras, and earned every belt from blue to black in Brazil. He became one of the first Australians to achieve this. He went on to win the Pan Pacific Championships twice at black belt, compete professionally in Japan, and qualify for the ADCC World Championships in Barcelona.

Now, after retiring from competition, he has one focus: building the same quiet confidence in kids that jiu-jitsu built in him. Not interested in cherry-picking talented athletes. Specifically interested in kids who are getting pushed around.

"At SCJJA, I'm building a legacy. A safe place for kids to come and learn and grow. Jiu-jitsu changed me — and I've already seen it change others. I want to keep doing this for the rest of my life."

Coach Rodney Ellis with his two sons — SCJJA Caringbah
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5th Degree Black Belt — IBJJF Recognised The highest-ranked BJJ instructor in the Sutherland Shire. Belt promotions recognised worldwide.
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Trained at Nova Uniao, Rio de Janeiro Only Australian to receive every belt — blue to black — in Brazil.
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2× Pan Pacific Black Belt Champion Plus ADCC World Championships competitor and professional MMA career in Japan.
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Started jiu-jitsu himself at 12 years old He knows exactly what it feels like to be your child's age walking in for the first time.
Our Approach

Not Your Average
Kids Martial Arts Class

Most kids BJJ programmes in the Shire take children from age 4 and run classes 5 days a week. We do things differently — deliberately.

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Real Jiu-Jitsu — Not Games in a Gi

We start at age 10 because younger kids aren't developmentally ready to learn real technique. When your child trains here, they learn actual jiu-jitsu — positions, escapes, control. Not relay races wearing a uniform.

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Two Classes a Week — By Design

Rodney started training once a week at 12 and eventually won everything. He's watched five-day-a-week kids burn out at 14 and quit forever. Two quality sessions keeps jiu-jitsu something your child looks forward to — not something they dread.

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Confidence, Not Trophies

The goal isn't to create competition champions. It's to give your child the kind of quiet confidence that changes how they carry themselves — at school, with friends, and for the rest of their life.

What You Get

Everything Upfront.
Nothing Hidden.

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No Contracts for Kids

No lock-in. Pay by class or by month — whatever suits your family's schedule around footy, swimming, and everything else.

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Prices Published Online

We're the only BJJ club in the Shire that publishes prices. No sales funnel, no awkward conversations. See prices →

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Zero Grading Fees

No belt test costs, ever. Rodney promotes when he decides your child is ready — not on a payment schedule.

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No Uniform Purchase Required

Come in comfortable workout clothes. We'll lend a clean gi for the trial. No forced purchase from us.

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NSW Active Kids Vouchers Accepted

Use your government voucher to offset the cost. We're a registered Active Kids provider.

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100% Money-Back Guarantee

If after the first term your child isn't noticeably more confident and enjoying jiu-jitsu, we'll refund every cent.

Guardian Angel Scholarships available. If cost is a barrier, please mention it when you register. We don't want finances to be the reason a child misses out.

Common Questions

Questions & Answers

Simply fill in the form on this page and we'll contact you to confirm class times. On the day, bring your child 10 minutes before the class starts. There's nothing to pay for the trial — a parent or guardian will sign an insurance waiver, and we'll lend them a clean gi to train in.
We take kids and teens from 10 years old. We don't take children under 10 — not because we don't want to, but because real jiu-jitsu requires a level of focus and physical coordination that younger children haven't yet developed. We'd rather wait until they're ready and teach them properly.

Read more about why we start at 10 →
Kids classes run on Monday and Thursday evenings. We don't run classes during school holidays — we've found kids come back refreshed and keen, and it gives them time to be kids. Check the live timetable for current times.

Read why we run two classes a week — and why that's intentional →
All our prices are published on our main website — no sales conversations, no hidden fees. You can pay by the class or by the month, and there are no contracts for kids. NSW Active Kids vouchers are accepted.

See full pricing →
BJJ has a strong safety culture built around the "tap" — a way to signal stop instantly, which everyone respects immediately. Kids don't spar (roll) until they're ready — early classes focus entirely on positional drilling and controlled technique. Injuries in well-run BJJ classes are rare, and we run a well-run class.
Those are exactly the kids this programme is designed for. Rodney wasn't athletic growing up — he lost every tournament for five years before he started winning. BJJ is a thinking person's martial art. Size and strength matter far less than technique, patience, and problem-solving. Shy kids often thrive here in a way they don't in team sports.
See It For Yourself

Watch Rodney
Introduce The Academy

Ready to Start?

Your Child's First Week Is Free

No contracts. No pressure. Just jiu-jitsu — taught properly, by people who genuinely care.

We'll be in touch within a few hours. No spam, ever.