New Scottish Kids BJJ League announced for 2016

From February 2016, junior BJJ players in Scotland will have the chance to compete regularly at friendly and well-organised BJJ tournaments as a Scottish Kids BJJ League is announced. Entry fees will be low and affordable making the event regularly accessible to all families.

Garry Christie, a black belt and UKBJJA director, and  James McIntyre, a purple belt who heads up Child Protection for the UKBJJA, will be running these events. The competitions will run on the last Sunday of every month from February to November and create a springboard for juniors to compete regularly to prepare for bigger competitions. All events will feature staff holding PVG certificates plus qualified UKBJJA referees.

The formation of the Scottish Kids BJJ League builds on the success of the Southern England and Welsh Kids Leagues which are now well established and very popular with coaches and parents alike. New leagues will also be starting in the North East and East of England in 2016. The aim of these regional events is to promote BJJ at grass roots level by giving children and teenagers regular, relaxed and well-organised competitions every month, in a safe environment with experienced referees,

The first Scottish Kids BJJ League competition will take place on 28th February, venue TBC. The Scottish League events, like the Southern, North Eastern and Eastern English Leagues and the Welsh League will be x1 points UKBJJA ranking events. With the aim of encouraging and rewarding young talented athletes, the UKBJJA has developed a ranking system which recognises the top junior BJJ players. This includes large national competitions as well local kids leagues. There are various sponsorship packages available for the top juniors at the end of the year, with the league winners of 2015 rewarded with free entry to their local leagues and a free BJJ gi.