Kids Jiu-Jitsu League

We’ve just arrived safely back in Tauranga—thank you, Whangārei!

To the entire Whangārei community, every academy, and every Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lover in the region—thank you for making the Whangārei Open – Kids Jiu-Jitsu League such a memorable event.

On behalf of the New Zealand Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, I, Sergio Garcia, want to express my deepest gratitude to all the volunteers, supporters, and families who came together to create something truly special.

Your energy, your hospitality, and your love for Jiu-Jitsu remind us why we do what we do.

We can’t wait to return and keep growing the sport together.

See you next time.
OSS!

🎉 Exciting Update! 🎉

Hello, incredible Jiu-Jitsu community!

The moment we've all been waiting for has arrived—the BAY OF PLENTY OPEN 2024 brackets are NOW LIVE! 🌟🥋

Get ready to rally behind our talented athletes as they step onto the mats to showcase their skills and determination. Your support is invaluable, and together, we can create an unforgettable atmosphere of encouragement and camaraderie.

We can't wait to see everyone there on Sunday for a thrilling day filled with action and celebration! OSS! 👊✨

NZBJJF Official Statement – Kids Jiu-Jitsu League Auckland II Edition
Sunday, 15 March 2026

Dear parents, coaches, and members of our BJJ community,

Following the Kids Jiu-Jitsu League event held this past Sunday, I would like to briefly address a situation that occurred during one of the matches. The purpose of this message is simply to provide clarity and allow us all to move forward in a respectful and constructive way.

First, I would like to acknowledge that emotions can run high when our children compete. As parents, we naturally care deeply about our children’s experiences, their safety, and the fairness of competition. This is completely understandable.

However, it is important to remember that youth competitions are designed primarily as learning experiences for the athletes. The goal is not only competition, but also the development of character, resilience, discipline, and sportsmanship.

For this reason, the NZBJJF places athlete safety as the highest priority in all of our events.

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, the referee is the highest authority on the mat. The referee is responsible for awarding points, issuing penalties, and stopping the match whenever necessary, particularly when a submission may place an athlete at risk of injury.

In children’s divisions especially, referees are instructed to act quickly if they believe a submission is fully applied and there is a risk of harm. In those moments, the referee must make an immediate decision based on what they see in real time in order to protect the athletes involved.

While video recordings or different viewing angles may sometimes lead to different interpretations after the match, the referee’s decision on the mat remains the final call during the competition.

I would also like to remind everyone that referees and officials dedicate their time and energy to support the development of the sport and the safety of our athletes. Like in any sport, officiating decisions are made in real time and occasionally may be questioned, but respect for officials is an important part of maintaining a healthy sporting environment.

Another matter that has been brought to my attention is that there were verbal exchanges between children and adults during the situation. This is concerning and does not reflect the values we aim to promote through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Our children observe how we behave as adults. In moments of disagreement or stress, they learn from our reactions. For this reason, it is important that we demonstrate calm, respect, and maturity at all times.

The NZBJJF was created with the goal of developing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in New Zealand and building a strong, positive, and respectful community around the sport. Situations like this should not overshadow the many positive experiences that these events provide for our young athletes.

We kindly ask all members of the community to refrain from continuing public discussions or online comments about this matter. Our focus should remain on supporting the athletes and maintaining a respectful environment for everyone involved.

We appreciate the passion that families bring to our events, and we thank everyone for their continued support of the sport and of the NZBJJF.

Let us move forward together with respect, sportsmanship, and the shared goal of helping our children grow through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Respectfully,

Sergio Garcia
President
New Zealand Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (NZBJJF)

We are very excited to announce that the NZBJJF calendar is growing once again!

With great satisfaction, we are adding another edition of the Kids & Youth Jiu-Jitsu League to our competition calendar. This initiative is part of our mission to continue spreading Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to every corner of New Zealand, creating more opportunities for kids and young athletes to experience the values of our sport — discipline, confidence, respect, and community.

The Kids & Youth Jiu-Jitsu League was created especially for the new generation of athletes. It’s a safe, welcoming, and exciting environment where children and teenagers can step onto the mats, challenge themselves, and grow both as competitors and as individuals.

We warmly invite all academies, coaches, parents, and young athletes to join us for this special event. Let’s continue building the future of Jiu-Jitsu together and strengthening our community across New Zealand.

We look forward to seeing everyone on the mats! 🥋🇳🇿

Link:

KIDS & YOUTH JJ LEAGUE PUKEKOHE OPEN 2026 WELCOME TO THE KIDS JIU-JITSU LEAGUE – PŪKEKOHE OPEN 2026 NZBJJF JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP (GI & NO-GI) – OPEN TO ALL BELTS KIDS, TEENAGERS & JUVENILES ONLY (NO ADULTS)

NZBJJF

The New Zealand Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation is deeply saddened by the passing of Master Marcio “Macarrão” Stambowsky.

The Jiu-Jitsu community has lost a true pioneer and one of the great representatives of our art. Master Stambowsky was among the first to receive his black belt from the legendary Rolls Gracie, and his impact on the growth and spread of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu around the world is undeniable.

Through his knowledge, leadership, and dedication, he helped shape generations of practitioners and left a legacy that will continue to guide our sport for years to come.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and students during this difficult time.

His legacy lives on.
His impact will never be forgotten.

Rest in Peace, Master Marcio “Macarrão” Stambowsky
1959 – 2026

Alright team, let’s go! 🔥

Next stop: Whangārei!
📅 May 31st

Get ready for another amazing day of Kids Jiu-Jitsu League action. More matches, more experience, more growth on and off the mats.

Let’s bring the energy, represent your academies, and continue building something special together.

See you all in Whangārei let’s make it another great one! OSS 👊

We are very excited to announce that the NZBJJF calendar is growing once again!

With great satisfaction, we are adding another edition of the Kids & Youth Jiu-Jitsu League to our competition calendar. This initiative is part of our mission to continue spreading Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to every corner of New Zealand, creating more opportunities for kids and young athletes to experience the values of our sport — discipline, confidence, respect, and community.

The Kids & Youth Jiu-Jitsu League was created especially for the new generation of athletes. It’s a safe, welcoming, and exciting environment where children and teenagers can step onto the mats, challenge themselves, and grow both as competitors and as individuals.

We warmly invite all academies, coaches, parents, and young athletes to join us for this special event. Let’s continue building the future of Jiu-Jitsu together and strengthening our community across New Zealand.

We look forward to seeing everyone on the mats! 🥋🇳🇿

Brackets Are Live! – Kids & Youth Jiu-Jitsu League Auckland (2nd Edition)

We’re really excited for this event. It’s going to be an amazing day for our young athletes to step on the mats, challenge themselves, and grow through Jiu-Jitsu.

We warmly invite everyone to come along and be part of the day. Bring your family, friends, teammates, and your academy to support the kids and enjoy the atmosphere. Events like this are how we keep growing the Jiu-Jitsu community and sharing the values of our sport with more people.

Let’s make it a great day together.
See you all on the mats! 🥋🔥

WHANGĀREI, LET’S GO! 🔥🥋

The KIDS & YOUTH JJ LEAGUE WHANGĀREI OPEN II 2026 is coming on May 31st, and we’re inviting the whole Jiu-Jitsu community to be part of this amazing day!

Welcome to the 2nd Edition of the Kids & Youth JJ League in Whangārei a championship full of energy, respect, learning, and great matches for our future champions.

This is a NZBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Gi & No-Gi) and it is open to:

✅ Kids
✅ Teens
✅ Juveniles
✅ All belts

🚫 No adults division

Come support the next generation, represent your team, and enjoy an awesome competition atmosphere with great vibes, sportsmanship, and community spirit.

Event Details:
📍 Whangārei, New Zealand
📅 May 31st, 2026
⏰ Weigh-In & Check-In: From 8:30 AM
⏰ Event Start Time: 9:30 AM

Competition Schedule:
Sunday, all day — Gi and No-Gi competition for all eligible age groups and belt divisions.

Let’s make this event unforgettable. See you on the mats! 👊

REGO Link: https://nzbjjf.smoothcomp.com/en/event/27269

Oss.