Field Notes
Practical guides on retention, billing, automation and the business of running a BJJ academy in Australia.
June 8, 2026
An honest operator-voice breakdown of running an affiliated BJJ academy (Gracie Barra, Atos, Alliance, Checkmat, 10th Planet) versus going independent in Australia. Costs, control, lineage credibility, IBJJF politics, exit risks.
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June 8, 2026
How to run a profitable, well-organised BJJ smoker (in-house tournament) at your Australian academy. Format, mats, brackets, refs, scoring, revenue, insurance, marketing, and using the day as a trial pipeline.
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May 24, 2026
How belt and stripe cadence shapes white belt retention, why most AU academies under-promote, the failure modes of both extremes, and the operator playbook for getting promotions right.
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May 17, 2026
Why BJJ students quit, where the 1-in-2 number comes from, the 90-day cliff, and the intervention playbook that actually saves white and blue belts.
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May 10, 2026
How to build a kids BJJ program at an Australian academy. The age bands that matter, class structure, parent communication, pricing, and the school-term scheduling traps most owners miss.
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May 5, 2026
The practical playbook for turning more BJJ trial students into paying members. The 7-day window, the moments that decide it, and the contrarian case for paid trials over free first classes.
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April 29, 2026
A practical look at how AI shows up inside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym management software in 2026. What the real wins are. What's marketing fluff. And what to look for when you're shopping.
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April 21, 2026
How to get more Google reviews for your BJJ academy in 2026. The exact moments to ask, what to send, why automation beats hustle, and how Combat Control's three send modes work.
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April 7, 2026
A practical comparison of the three direct debit options Australian BJJ academy owners actually consider. Real fees, integration depth, lock-in, and the trade-offs that matter at 50, 150, or 300 members.
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March 24, 2026
How GST registration, BAS lodgement, and PAYG instalments actually work for an Australian BJJ academy. When you have to register, what you can claim, and the mistakes most gym owners make.
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March 10, 2026
How to pay your BJJ coaches without breaking Fair Work. The contractor versus employee question, casual loading, superannuation, and the mistakes that get gyms audited.
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February 25, 2026
A practical guide to public liability, professional indemnity, and equipment insurance for an Australian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy. Real provider notes, common policy gaps, and what to ask your broker.
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