Sutherland Shire's Highest-Ranked BJJ Coach

Train BJJ With
The Best In The Shire

Learn from a 5th Degree Black Belt who lived and trained in Rio de Janeiro for several years, competed professionally in Japan, and won gold at the Pan Pacific Championships (adult black belt) — twice!
Your first week is completely free.

★ 5th Degree Black Belt

★ IBJJF Recognised

★ No Contracts

★ Est. 2006

Claim Your Free Trial Week

No contracts. No sign-up fees. Just great jiu-jitsu in Caringbah.

Your Name

Mobile Number

Email Address

We'll contact you within 2 hours to confirm class times.
No spam. No sales pressure. Ever.

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You're In!

We'll be in touch within 2 hours to book your first class. Check your inbox (and spam folder) too.

Who This Is For

For teenagers, parents, and everyone in between
This Is For You

BJJ is the fastest-growing martial art in Australia for good reason. It works for every age, body type, and fitness level — and we prove it every class.

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Adults Wanting Fitness

A full-body workout that never gets boring. Most members say they're fitter after six months of BJJ than they've ever been. No prior experience needed.

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Real Self-Defence

Unlike most martial arts, BJJ actually works in the real world. You'll learn to control a situation calmly — critical knowledge for adults and teenagers alike.

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Kids Aged 12–15

Our kids programme builds confidence, focus, and discipline while having an absolute blast. Many parents say BJJ is the best thing they ever enrolled their kids in.

Why Train With Us

The Credentials Gap Is
Not Even Close

There are other BJJ clubs in the Shire. But there is only one where every instructor on the mat holds a black belt personally graded by an IBJJF-recognised 5th Degree — and that standard shows.

Rodney introducing Southern Cross Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Rodney's 5th Degree Black Belt diploma — Nova Uniao

5th degree black belt diploma from Master Andre Pederneiras

Rodney Ellis competing at black belt — SCJJA Head Coach

5th Degree Black Belt ✦ IBJJF Certified

🥇 Highest-Ranked in the Shire

Rodney holds a 5th Degree Black Belt. And being IBJJF certified it means your belt promotions are properly recognised worldwide.

🇧🇷 Several Years Training in Rio

Received every belt from blue to black at Nova Uniao under André Pederneiras — the same mat and man that UFC Hall of Famers BJ Penn and Jose Aldo received their black belts.

🏆 2× Pan Pacific Champion

Elite competitor at the highest level — Australian rep at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Pro Gi and 2009 ADCC Trials Champion.

🥊 Fought Pro MMA in Japan

Competed in Shooto (Tokyo) and trained with Nova Uniao's professional vale tudo team in 2004–2005 alongside UFC veterans. He's been tested for real.

👮 Real World Experience

From 2002 to 2013 Rodney worked as a bouncer at some of Syndey's top nightclubs. He ran the door at the Chinese Laundry for several years before being selected to work at Ivy when it opened.

"The only Australian to have lived in Rio and received every belt — from blue to black — in Brazil."

Your First Week

What Happens When
You Walk In

First-timers often feel nervous. Here's exactly what to expect so you can show up with confidence.

Arrive & Meet the Team

Come in your comfortable workout gear (or gi — we have loaners). Rodney will personally welcome you, introduce you to the group, and explain how everything works. No one bites. Seriously.

Learn the Fundamentals

Your first classes focus entirely on the core concepts — positions, escapes, basic submissions. No experience required, no keeping up with experienced students. You learn at your own pace.

Decide When You're Ready

After your free trial week, if you want to continue, you'll join the 14-Week Foundation Programme. No hard sell, no lock-in contract, no pressure. Everything's on our website — nothing hidden.

Our Promise

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100% Money-Back Guarantee

Enrol in the 14-Week Foundation Programme and train for your first three months. If you don't feel more confident, fitter, and like you've found something genuinely special — we'll refund every cent you paid. No questions asked, no awkward conversations.

Free trial week No lock-in contracts Prices published online 3-month money-back guarantee No hidden belt test fees

Common Questions

Questions & Answers

None at all. Our Foundation Programme is built from the ground up for complete beginners. You don't need to be fit — many people join specifically to get fit. All you need is a willingness to learn and the ability to leave your ego at the door.

Comfortable workout gear — board shorts or leggings and a rash guard or t-shirt. We have loaner gis (the traditional BJJ uniform) available if you want to try one. Once you decide to continue, we'll advise on what to purchase and where to get it cheaply.

BJJ has a strong culture of safety and respect — you'll learn to "tap" to stop any submission the instant you feel discomfort, and everyone in the gym respects this immediately. Beginners are never thrown in the deep end with hard sparring until they're ready. The vast majority of training is positional and controlled.

Unlike most gyms, our prices are publicly listed on our main website — no awkward sales conversations required. The 14-Week Foundation Programme is a fixed-cost beginners course, after which you move to a standard casual or monthly membership. See scjja.com/Home/Prices for all details.

Yes — we run dedicated kids classes for ages 12 to 15. Kids and adults always train separately. The kids programme focuses on confidence, discipline, and respect alongside the technical BJJ curriculum. Many of our kids students have gone on to compete at state level.

We're at Unit 1A, 2 Resolution Drive, Caringbah NSW 2229 — in the heart of the Sutherland Shire, easily accessible from Cronulla, Miranda, Sutherland, and surrounding suburbs. There's ample free parking on site.

Ready to Start?

Your First Week Is On Us

Train with the Shire's most qualified BJJ instructor. No contracts. No pressure. Just great jiu-jitsu.