ROOTS black belt professors on the mat in front of the red academy wall

Est. 2001 — Australia’s first Brazilian black belt academy

REAL JIU‑JITSU

Bigger than learning to fight.

The first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym opened in Australia by a Brazilian black belt. One family, growing worldwide. Everyone starts somewhere — start here.

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Why real jiu‑jitsu?

Bigger than learning to fight.

Kids in gis at ROOTS Brookvale — **Confidence**when life gets hard

A teen training on the mat — **Discipline**when motivation fades

A ROOTS competitor under the lights — **Resilience**when you want to quit

The ROOTS kids team lined up together — **Friendship**that lasts a lifetime

Adults drilling live in class — **Strength**healthier and more capable

Professor Paulo tying a new black belt — **The real art**self-defence to No-Gi and competition

Jiu-jitsu isn’t just something you do.
It’s something you become.

1^st BJJ gym in Australia opened by a Brazilian black belt

30 Team Roots academies across three countries

6 Days a week on the mat — Monday to Saturday

∞ One family on the mat — kids to black belts

Our roots

Before Brazilian jiu-jitsu had a home in Australia, one Brazilian black belt brought it here.

ROOTS BJJ was the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym to be opened in Australia by a Brazilian black belt. Our vision is simple: empower people mentally and physically to live a better, more balanced life through the benefits of martial arts.

Discipline. Respect. Self-confidence. Self-defence. Focus. Mental strength. Coordination. Real training, real friendships — real jiu-jitsu, taught the way it was passed down to us.

Meet the lineage

Professor Paulo Guimaraes tying a new belt on a young student while families watch

Grading day at Brookvale — the whole family watches.

Why ROOTS

A gym where you train as a team
and feel like family.

The Lineage

Second-generation Rickson Gracie black belt at the head of the room. Technique passed hand to hand from Rio to Sydney — nothing watered down.

The Mats

World-class mats, high-level coaching, plenty of free parking, and a bright, airy training space designed for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The Family

More than a team, we’re a community. Kids, teens, parents, beginners and black belts all side by side, united by respect, honour and loyalty.

Programs

Everyone starts as a white belt.

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Kids

Confidence. Discipline, coordination, focus and friendship for young grapplers — in a structured, safe and seriously fun class.

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Teens

A crucial stage of life deserves the right guidance. We help teens build confidence, discipline and strong values while developing the physical and mental foundations they’ll carry into adulthood.

Try a teens class

Adults

Whether you’re here for the lifestyle or the podium, you’ll find expert coaching, challenging training and a welcoming community. No experience needed — just step onto the mats.

Try an adults class

Women

Get fit. Build confidence. Learn real self-defence. Train in a supportive women-only community. No experience needed.

Try a women’s class

Competition

Success on the podium starts long before competition day. Every session develops the focus, discipline, determination and resilience needed to perform at your highest level.

Join comp training

Head Coach

Paulo Guimaraes

World Champion. The highest-ranked Brazilian black belt in Australia — and the first to open a BJJ academy here. A second-generation Rickson Gracie black belt under Master Jorge Pereira, Paulo has spent his life passing real jiu-jitsu to the next generation.

Rickson GracieThe standard of real jiu-jitsu
Jorge PereiraRickson Gracie black belt, Rio de Janeiro
Paulo GuimaraesROOTS BJJ — Sydney, Australia
YouThe next chapter starts on our mat

Alongside a full team of qualified black belt coaches in Sydney — and Team Roots leaders running 29 more academies across South Korea and Mongolia. Meet the instructors →

Locations

One standard. Worldwide.

Australia HQ — Northern Beaches

Brookvale

2/16 Dale Street, Brookvale NSW 2100

Off-street private parking
Kids, teens, adults, women’s & comp classes
Finalist — 2023 Northern Beaches Small Business Awards

Classes Mon–Sat Check the timetable Directions

Team Roots

Worldwide

Australia · South Korea · Mongolia

27 Team Roots academies across South Korea
Glory MMA on the Mongolia–China border
Your belt travels — train wherever Roots is

Roots. Growing worldwide. Explore the map

From the mat

“I have no words to express the support and attention that Paulo has with all the children.”
— Natalia · ★★★★★

“Such a great experience being part of this gym. Wish I’d started my BJJ journey earlier!”
— Roderick · ★★★★★

“Paulo and the team are welcoming, friendly & professional — they teach and lead by example.”
— Matt · ★★★★★

“My journey here has been life-changing, both mentally and physically.”
— Matt, 43 — two years on the mat · ★★★★★

Five stars on Google — read what our families say about training at Roots.
★★★★★ — Google Reviews

See more reviews on Google →

No experience. No contract. No judgement.

Your first class
is on us.

Pick a real class from the timetable below — you leave here with a day and a time, not a promise that someone will call you back.

Prefer to talk? 1300 590 598 · Monday to Saturday · or see the full timetable