There is something serious brewing on the Higher front, and I can’t help but get it out to you, so please read on!

How it all Started

It was February of 2014 when I walked into PCYC City of Sydney for the first time ever. A catch up was in order with my new mate Johnnie Karafyllakis. We’d met on a family holiday in Kalymnos Greece, where both of our families are from. On the trip I, like always, couldn’t stop talking about jiu jitsu.

Oddly enough, he worked in a community centre that was now a vacant space. He asked me to come by and have a look. So once back in Oz, here I come for a quick look; there I see our humble dojo, filled with natural light, and crappy blue mats, and all amongst the greenery of Woolloomooloo. It was beautiful. Could this really be the one?

For years I’d been dreaming about running my own jiu jitsu academy. Surely it shouldn’t come this soon. I still had prestigious competitions to win, and darker belts to earn.

‘Just do it’ said most people around me. What’s the worst that can happen?! I never needed much encouragement to chase what I wanted. So I took the leap, and quit my job, and signed a contract to start the Jiu Jitsu Commune.

Almost 8 years have passed, and I wouldn’t have dreamed the journey would be this much fun.

Every day I come in I am greeted by enthusiastic, supportive, loyal students that quickly become friends. Thanks to the guidance of some phenomenal teachers the jiu jitsu only builds in quality. And as the community fills with more legends, and the knowledge embeds deeper in each of us, I know that Higher Jiu Jitsu can only go higher.

Where It is Heading

On this note…

OG HJJ student and black belt Oscar went to get his car fixed at our old SPMA teammate’s panel beater shop last week. They got chatting. Old mate Peter has a 2nd level of his new building that is vacant. He is a jits guy, and he’d love nothing more than to have a jits school in there. Oscar has a look, and calls me up for a look too…

I follow Oscar’s lead and also go in a couple days later, and I think it’s perfect. The location, the space, the vibe are all A+. The prospect of a second HJJ facility in Sydney’s inner west has always attracted me. How to say no to this one??!

I didn’t. We couldn’t. And we’re excited to share that we’ll be opening Higher Jiu Jitsu Sydenham in March 2022 :))

Wow. What? Why?

Higher Jiu Jitsu helps everyday people build quality of life with Gracie Jiu Jitsu. The way we practice jiu jitsu is intelligent, and effective, and unique, and supremely beneficial for so many people. A second facility will allow more people to embark on the Gracie Jiu Jitsu journey and build the indispensable skills of leverage, and that will be a positive for everyone.

Woollo4Life

Rest assured, the Higher Jiu Jitsu that you currently know and love isn’t going anywhere! We will continue to serve you, and grow and develop our school, and our craft.

Higher Jiu Jitsu Sydenham – Saturday 12th March!!

Saturday 12th March is the Big day – our Grand Opening is fast approaching! So mark this on your calendar and come down and celebrate with us.

If you’re interested in jumping on board, we’ll be running a sweet sign up deal that I can let you know about. Ask me in a reply!

And even if you are not, feel free (please :) share the news and posts and events, and bring your friends, and help us launch with a Bang!!

As always, I appreciate your support, I’m honoured that you’re a part of this and together we’re going higher & Higher :)

Much love,

Coach John