Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Castle Hill Pty Ltd

I know the head instructor at Gracie Barra St Peters, and he's a really good guy. The atmosphere he tries to cultivate isn't one of "I'm just here to make profit". He actually cares about the art. He actually put me onto the school I now attend; GB Liverpool, where I train with Prof. Gustavo. I know they are very good at prepping people for comps too. (Disclaimer: I did attend GB Wetherill Park some time ago, and it was the biggest example of a 'McDojo' I could give you. It was all about the money. So, the attitude and environment is goin to differ greatly depending on the school). source, 2024 ↗

positive

I trained at 2 Gracie Barras until know, the first one was stricter regarding the uniform rules, however due to the fact that I was doing BJJ full-time while living in my car they just gifted me several kimonos and rashguards in exchange for me doing the kids class once a week which i thought was fair. The academy I am right now does not really mind other Gis except for bigger seminars. They also do not follow the official curriculum. Both had a big hobbyist group and also a very successful competition team, which I like about GB. All in all I think it greatly depends how big the GB associati source, 2024 ↗

positive

honestly northwest sydney is full of bjj because a lot of middle aged middle class dads with disposable income do it. check google maps to see if there are any in rouse hill in particular, but i know for certain castle hill has about a dozen gyms alone source, 2023 ↗

neutral

I was before I joined, and still am now, part of the hardcore punk musical subculture. Moving to Townsville now for six years has completely taken that away from me, the one thing my life has pretty much been structured around from the age of 15 to 29 (when I joined) as there is no scene here. All my friends are in Newcastle, Sydney, Bris/GC or Melbourne but ironically more of them live in the UK or the US due to the nature of the subculture. Good thing I’m moving back to the UK when I get out, plus I’m in the US at least twice a year. I have zero civilian friends in Townsville apart from peop source, 2023 ↗

positive

They used to have BJJ and boxing classes, at least ag the castle Hill and Sydney ones - they were a rip-off anyway, the BJJ was taught by a blue belt. source, 2023 ↗

neutral

Here’s some of my favourites to visit in different cities: Melbourne: Absolute MMA (St Kilda & CBD), Immersion Ringwood, Mustang Sports Centre Sydney: myBJJ Westside (Lidcombe), Gracie Jiu Jitsu Sydney, (Sydney Wrestling Academy is on my list for next time) Queensland: Full Metal Jiu Jitsu, Base Gracie Jiu Jitsu Outside of that if you’re going through Perth you’d be crazy to not visit William Dias’ gym, he recently got silver at AJP beating Tommy Langaker (controversially), but regardless has an impressive resume. And if you’re driving between Melbourne and Sydney then feel free to st source, 2022 ↗

neutral

Personally train at alliance, have been to open sparring, sjja, gracie humaita and higher jiujitsu. Any gym will do if you find the right vibe for you so do some trial classes. Come on down to Alliance source, 2021 ↗

neutral

I would recommend Higher Jiu Jitsu in the CBD. They were formally Pedro Sauer, now Gracie Jiu Jitsu so the element of self defense that you are looking for is there. Excellent fundamental instruction. John the head instructor is a beast. I stopped by there in December while I was visiting Sydney and was not disappointed. First class was free. source, 2018 ↗

positive