BJMA EAST COAST

29/08/2026

Coming Soon!!!!!

27/08/2026

Found a photo of The Chief he signed back in 99.
Those words have never been truer.

25/08/2026

Massive Happy Birthday to The Chief, Soke Bob Jones.
His influence has shaped how we view the martial arts today. His innovative thinking was and still is years ahead. If you can think of an original idea chances are The Chief has already done it.
Happy Birthday to a man who has provided the opportunity for people to be the best version of themselves and to feel safe in an ever changing world.
I for one rarely go a week where I don’t think of The Chief and what he has given me. His friendship and guidance will always be held on a special place in my heart.
Hurra,Hurra,Hurra….

22/08/2026

Heath “Hurricane” Lidster scores another win. His opponent was tough and pushed Heath in the first round. Heath then found his range and dominated his opponent in the following two rounds. Plenty of support from club members and the promoter was once again impressed by Heaths ability.
Two weeks of rest will see Heath and the team competing at the Australian Amateur MMA titles.

22/08/2026

BJMA EAST COAST FIGHTERS IN ACTION!

Over the next few weeks, fighters from across our BJMA East Coast clubs will be stepping into the ring and cage to test their skills. Let’s make sure we get behind them and show our support!

Today, Heath “Hurricane” Lister from MMA – Maryborough Martial Arts will be competing on the HAMMA Series in Brisbane.

We also have students from Hanshi Kyl’s CMA – Chikara Martial Arts and Renshi Sam’s RSMA – Rising Sun Martial Arts competing on the Rumble for Rehab show today in Toowoomba.

Then, on September 5 and 6, seven students from MMA – Maryborough Martial Arts will compete in the Australian Junior MMA Amateur Titles.

Stepping into the ring or cage takes courage, dedication and countless hours of preparation. We are proud of everyone representing their clubs and the wider BJMA East Coast family.

Good luck to all our fighters, coaches and support teams. Get behind them and show them the strength of the BJMA East Coast community!

Train strong. Fight smart. Represent with pride.

16/08/2026

𝗕𝗝𝗠𝗔 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗦𝗧 – 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 & 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

Last weekend, our instructors came together for our 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝗗𝗮𝘆.

Importantly, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝗝𝗠𝗔 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱, giving each club the opportunity to contribute to the discussions and help shape our direction moving forward.

As a group, we discussed our grading structure, Senjo, Dai Senjo, curriculum development and how we can continue to provide appropriate grading and development opportunities for students across the East Coast.

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦

𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 – 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦

• September gradings will be held as 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.
• Zen Do Kai and Muay Thai students can grade locally 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝘁.
• There will be 𝗻𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.
• Instructors agreed that students preparing for higher-rank gradings can defer to the November opportunity where appropriate.

𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟳 𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 – 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗢𝗣𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗗𝗔𝗬 & 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚

• A 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆 will be held for instructors and students.
• A 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 will also be available for eligible Zen Do Kai and Muay Thai students seeking 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝘁, 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲.
• Special consideration may include circumstances such as injury or illness, a death in the family, work or university commitments, exams, travel or significant family events such as weddings.
• Applications for special consideration will be considered by the 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 (𝗘𝗟𝗧).

𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 – 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦

Our normal local grading opportunities will continue in December.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗝𝗢?

The group discussed the timing of Senjo and agreed that this year's September event was too close to Dai Senjo, particularly with relatively few higher-ranked students currently ready to grade.

There was strong support for having 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗶 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, provided there is another appropriate pathway for Black Belt, 1st Degree and 2nd Degree candidates who are unable to attend or have genuine special circumstances.

📅 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳

The proposed grading calendar is:

• 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 – Local Gradings
• 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 – Dai Senjo
• 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 – Local Gradings
• 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 – Development Training Day & Special Consideration Grading
• 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 – Local Gradings

The 2027 Dai Senjo is also being considered for approximately 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 (around Weeks 6–7).

Further discussion will take place regarding which ranks will attend Dai Senjo. One proposal is 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗴 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, although the structure may be different for junior students aged 12 and under.

We are also considering the inclusion of 𝗞𝗿𝗮𝘃 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘀𝗸𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 as part of Dai Senjo, with appropriate safety controls in place for weapons-based activities.

These changes are designed to create a 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆, while maintaining the importance and standard of Dai Senjo and providing flexibility for students facing genuine circumstances that prevent them from attending.

More information about the November Development Training Day, Special Consideration process and the 2027 calendar will be provided once details are finalised.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 who contributed to the discussion and continue to support the development of BJMA East Coast and our students.

09/08/2026

09/07/2026