Moree Jiu-Jitsu make stamp at Gold Coast Championships

“Ten competitors went up and we came back with 11 medals,” Moree BJJ coach Glen Bailey said.

“As a coach, I am extremely proud of how the boys and girls competed: it shows that our club is learning and moving in the right direction.”

The small band of Jiu-Jitsu warriors headed north last Friday to train with a Jiu-Jitsu professor in Brisbane. They hit the mats on Sunday, to compete against as many as 200 competitors at the Gold Coast.

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“The state competition is open to anyone Australia wide. Some schools have up to 200 students. We have only 40. I think we did really well to hold our own against a high calibre of students,” Bailey said.

Bailey, Nicholas Hailey, Georgia O’Neill and Sam O’Neill earned a silver medal in their divisions. Brett O’Neill, Mick Hailey, Jack Maw and Sam O’Neill scored a gold medal. Zachary Faulkner and Zander Jamieson earned bronze medals.

Bailey added that he was over the moon with the results.

“Georgia O’Neill was put up from the juvenile to adult division and she won a silver medal. That’s really impressive.

“Jack Maw finished his matches in victory by points and submissions. I was ecstatic. I was on the sidelines screaming. I was a lunatic.”

Jiu-Jitsu classes are hosted at the local PCYC facility every Monday and Wednesday.

“We have anywhere of up to 45 students in the group, very strong class to class. Sometimes 15, other times nearly 30 kids.”

The classes are open to all age divisions and the classes tailored to each group.

“Kids take a bit of working, but I try to make the classes fun at the end with a few games,” Bailey said.

“It’s a reward. But they pick it [Jiu-Jitsu] up really well. They’ve got no bad habits. As soon as you show them the technique, they pick it up and learn it.

“Young Xander has only been going to class for four months, and he already picked up a bronze medal.”

Bailey said Jiu-Jitsu was more than just a form of martial arts as it teaches many transferable life skills.

“Because you get into tight positions and you have to work through those positions to get out of it, Jiu-Jistu is a bit like life. When things get tough, you need to keep working through it. You have to make use of your mind a lot more. It’s about combining skill and technique to make it work.”

The coach said he had watched his students hit their stride over the course of the classes.

“One of the kids was bullied at school when he first started, now his confidence has grown. Kids just grow and blossom. Their personality starts to come out.”

Wannabe Jiu-Jitsu warriors interested in the martial arts style can contact Bailey through the Moree Jiu Jitsu Facebook page for more information about classes.