The best way to understand why people call SJJA one of the best BJJ academies on theNorth Shore is to hear from the people who train here.
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Building trust since 2016
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Featured story
The proof is on the mats.
The best way to understand why people call SJJA one of the best BJJ academies on the North Shore is to hear from the people who train here.
Founder Story
Why members start, and why they stay
People come to Lane Cove for all kinds of reasons. A parent wants their child to have more confidence. Someone wants to get fit without a boring gym. Another wants real self defence. A few want to compete. What keeps them is the room: the coaching, the training partners and the steady sense of getting better at something that matters
"I walked in at 38, no fitness, never fought anyone. I came out different."
Before: Sedentary, 8kg overweight
After: 3×/week, leaner, confident
JM
Jack M.
Adult Fundamentals
Women’s program · 14 months
"Jiu-Jitsu gave me the kind of confidence I didn't know was missing."
Before: Anxious in public, no martial arts
After: Blue belt, self-defence ready
SP
Sarah P.
Women’s Program
Parent · 2 years
"My daughter used to cry at school. Now she's the one helping the shy kids."
Before: Shy, withdrawn, bullied
After: Confident, engaged, a leader
AB
Amanda B.
Parent — Kids Program
Blue belt · Competitor
"I came here for fitness. I stayed for the competition team."
Before: Casual gym-goer
After: Pan Pacific silver medallist
AC
Ankit C.
Advanced · Competition Team
Visiting black belt
"The coaches and community here are something special."
Role: Visiting from overseas
Takeaway: Made Sydney feel like home
ST
Jonathan H.
Visiting Black Belt
Parent + student · 3 years
"Started for my son. Joined the adult class six months later."
Before: Watching from the sidelines
After: Father-son training partners
JM
Steve T.
Adults + Kids program
Adult beginner · 8 months
"I walked in at 38, no fitness, never fought anyone. I came out different."
Before: Sedentary, 8kg overweight
After: 3×/week, leaner, confident
JM
Jack M.
Adult Fundamentals
Visiting black belt
"The coaches and community here are something special."
Role: Visiting from overseas
Takeaway: Made Sydney feel like home
ST
Jonathan H.
Visiting Black Belt
Women’s program · 14 months
"Jiu-Jitsu gave me the kind of confidence I didn't know was missing."
Before: Anxious in public, no martial arts
After: Blue belt, self-defence ready
SP
Sarah P.
Women’s Program
Parent · 2 years
"My daughter used to cry at school. Now she's the one helping the shy kids."
Before: Shy, withdrawn, bullied
After: Confident, engaged, a leader
AB
Amanda B.
Parent — Kids Program
Parent + student · 3 years
"Started for my son. Joined the adult class six months later."
Before: Watching from the sidelines
After: Father-son training partners
JM
Steve T.
Adults + Kids program
Blue belt · Competitor
"I came here for fitness. I stayed for the competition team."
Before: Casual gym-goer
After: Pan Pacific silver medallist
AC
Ankit C.
Advanced · Competition Team
Transformations
Pressure makes diamonds
What 6, 12, or 24 months of consistent training really looks like — mind, body and character.
Month 0
Month 12
Fitness transformation
Tom — 12 months, white to blue belt
Tom arrived out of shape and out of practice. A year of consistent Fundamentals classes, three times a week, changed his fitness, his posture, and — in his words — “the way I show up at work.”
+140%
Cardio capacity
−9 kg
Body weight
Blue belt
Earned in 14 months
Confidence transformation
Riley — 24 months, shy kid to leader
Riley’s mum enrolled her at six. She hid behind legs for the first month. Two years on she leads the warmups, partners with new kids first, and earned her orange belt at the NSW state championships.
4 belts
White to orange
State
Medal winner
Class leader
Helping new kids
Month 0
Month 24
Month 0
Month 18
Mental transformation
Priya — 18 months, anxiety to advocate
Priya joined the women’s program after a difficult year. The community, the structure, and the physical practice rewrote her relationship with stress. She now runs introductory sessions for new women at the gym.
3×/week
Consistent attendance
Blue belt
Earned in 16 months
Mentor
For new students
Google reviews
What everyone else is saying.
A selection of our 214+ verified Google reviews. Sorted by most recent.
Can’t fault this school. Wonderful, attentive and fun teachers, lovely staff, and my child’s confidence has grown markedly. Thank you Sharp.
Amanda B.
Google · ★★★★★
Awesome atmosphere, classes early and late for every level. World-class black belts teaching great jiu-jitsu — couldn’t recommend it more.
Jack Martin
Google · ★★★★★
My daughter absolutely loves the kids classes. The supportive environment builds her confidence and strength while keeping it fun. Top-tier coaching.
Sarah P.
Google · ★★★★★
Want to be the next story?
We love hearing from our members. If you’d like to share your SJJA story — on camera or in writing — drop us a line.