BRITISH JU-JITSU AND KOBUDO ORGANISATION
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News & EventsBJJKO News for 2025
Stoke Ju-Jitsu - Our Journey... So Far A Success Story by Senior Instructor Rob Buckley
As head coach at Stoke Jujitsu Club (a young club with no more than 24 students), I was saddened to learn that I would have to close the doors of my club due to the global pandemic.
During this time, I was a part of a different federation (to the BJJKO) and training of all kinds had to cease. These were difficult times for all of us, and as a club owner, I had no reassurances about the future of my club.
I did not know if I was going to be able to open again, whether my students would return or even if I would return to training myself or just hang up my Gi and call it a day.
With no support in place and very little guidance, I did not know what to do.
I remember talking to my wife about the advertising that I had seen on social media for the BJJKO, and being impressed at how well they communicated with their members, making them aware and providing up-to-date knowledge of what clubs could and could not do during these times. It was refreshing to see an organization trying to move forward in the current climate, with a clear purpose and direction. It was after a few days of seeing this that I knew; this was the same direction in that I wanted to take my club.
One afternoon, I decided to pick up the phone and contact the BJJKO, little did I know that this one moment was going to change everything for my club, my students and myself. It was nice to speak to Lee Nelson Sensei, and we spent time just talking about training and past experiences, before the real conversation started. I told Lee of my admiration for the BJJKO and how impressed I was at how they were handling themselves, during the pandemic.
The more we talked the more I asked about the organization.
I knew at this point I wanted to be a part of the BJJKO, and the conversation ended there.
Moving forward (5 years), and we have never had any regrets of the decision (to join the BJJKO). From day one, Stoke Ju-jitsu has gone from strength to strength. We have received an endless amount of encouragement and guidance from the directors, with each of them having a massive influence on my personal development, not only as a coach, but also as a student and as friends. The BJJKO have provided me with the opportunity and platform to grow and flourish, which has been backed with endless support and encouragement – I have even hosted events and taught at multiple seminars, something that I thought I would never get the chance to do.
My advice to anyone, who is looking to develop his or her club or grow as a student, is to look no further than the BJJKO. If you have any doubts, I would be more than happy to speak with you about my experiences, but I strongly recommend that you look no further and just have that initial conversation. – You will not regret it.
Rob Buckley
Club Coach, BJJKO Stoke Ju-jitsu - BJJKO
Stoke Ju-Jitsu Instructors Pictured with their Junior Class
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