Change Of Plans

Kids Classes are now starting next week, on the 8th of May

 

More About The Club

Legion XIII is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club based out of Perth, Western Australia under Grayson West with a club in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The Canberra branch is affiliated with Peter De Been (based out of Melbourne, Victoria) and trains with Phuket Top Team (Phuket, Thailand) at least twice a year with Olavo Abreu and Anthony and Andrew Leone.

This club is arguably the best in Canberra, with a Black Belt at the head, a brown belt, a few purple belts, roughly 9 blue belts and a range of beginners to 4 stripe white belts. With in a year this club as grown exponentially, starting with less that 20 members and now close to 40. Everyone is committed to not only their own growth but to each other. People will come in out of class times to work with each other when asked, even when not competing in comps and events the team mates will come and watch to support each other. This isn't just a club, it is a bunch of friends. It makes for a really great training environment. 

Legion XIII started out at Hills Academy, Canberra under Adam Saunderson as a brown belt, but now they are their own club that trains out of Stockade Training Centre Dickson, Canberra still under Adam Saunderson but now as a black belt, given to him by Olavo Abreu last year.

The Canberra club is now looking to expand its horizons with kids classes starting on the 1st of May. They are for 9-13 Yrs old, boys and girls. 14 yrs and above will be integrated into the adult classes, if the parents want their child in the kids classes there may be special permission granted after talking to the head coaches. Kids 8 yrs and below may be able to join the kids classes after talking to the head coaches and agreeing to stay for the whole class. These preferences are because kids are a lot different in the way they concentrate and interact when they are 8 and below and 15 and above. 

With branching out, the next step will be to aim at getting more women into the club. There is currently a blue belt and 2 white belts at the club. I think that women are a little apprehensive to get involved in something that is so male heavy, and also they might not like the idea being so close to the guys during drills and rolling. But in this club the guys are really great, gentle, take care of the girls ( when guys have rolled to rough with the girls one of the higher grades, purple and above, will then roll with that guy just as rough if not more so to teach them a lesson. I should mention that the same thing happens if a higher grade does this with a beginner). 

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu isn't just a great life skill for kids in help with confidence, making friends, discipline, health and fitness but for adults as well. It is never too late to get involved, or too early :)

Olavo Abreu Says...

Have a look at this Article .
 

What's Happening At The Moment

The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championships were on last week. You can find most of the fights on YouTube. Check out one of the womens finals too.

The Legion XIII Kids Classes start Thursday at 430pm. Sign up your kids, take a look. It will be great. If you need anymore reasons to sign up for kids classes other than it's awesome, here are 10 reasons why your kids can benefit. 

1. Fostering Self-Discipline – One of the central tenets of all forms of the martial arts is an absolute focus on self-discipline. Today’s kids are so accustomed to receiving instant gratification that lessons in self-restraint and discipline aren’t always easy to come by. Kids with a martial arts background, however, are continually reminded of how essential self-discipline is.
2. Boosting Socialization Skills – Kids who don’t always thrive in highly social environments may find it easier to get to know people and make new friends when they’re in a room filled with peers who share a common interest. The kids on the playground may not always have much common ground, but devotees to the martial arts are able to get to know one another through shared pursuits. Partner-driven forms like jiu jitsu can also foster camaraderie, as they force kids to pair off and build their skills together.
3. Encouraging Physical Activity – Limiting screen time is a great idea when it comes to getting kids off the couch and encouraging them to be more active, but it only goes so far. Enrolling an inactive child in such a physically demanding pastime not only discourages the sedentary lifestyle she’s used to, but also gives her an enjoyable activity that inspires her to keep moving.
4. Learning to Set and Achieve Goals – Most forms of martial arts are based around an accomplishment system of colored belts that signify the wearer’s degree of skill. When your child strives toward each new belt, he’s learning valuable lessons about setting and reaching his goals.
5. Increased Self-Esteem – Confidence comes with achievement, so your child’s self-esteem level will get a boost with every new move he masters and every belt he earns. Kids who struggle with a low sense of self-worth usually become more confident as time progresses while they’re enrolled in a martial arts class.
6. Instilling a Sense of Respect – Learning any martial arts style will require your child to show her instructor unflinching respect. Today’s kid culture doesn’t always include respect for authority, adults or those in advanced positions. When she goes to her karate or tae kwon do class, though, your child will be learning lessons in respect along with new moves.
7. Encouraging Non-Violent Conflict Resolution – Thinking that martial arts instruction promotes violent behavior is justified if your only experience with the activity comes from television or movies. In fact, many defensive styles teach kids peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution skills and emphasize the importance of avoiding a physical altercation.
8. Improving Listening Skills – In order to master the skills she’s being taught and advance through the belt ranks, your child will have to exercise superior listening skills. Kids who aren’t always adept when it comes to paying attention to what they’re told can benefit from the verbal instruction and one-on-one work in her dojo.
9. Developing Teamwork Skills – Whether he’s breaking boards to get a new belt or sparring in a practice setting to master a new maneuver, there are few things that your child does in his martial arts classes that will be done on his own. Working together to learn new things and accomplish goals is an important life lesson for kids to learn, and instruction in the martial arts can help your child learn that lesson.
10. Improvement in Other Areas of Life – The benefits of martial arts training don’t end in the dojo. The boost in confidence, increased fitness level and new cooperation skills will also help your child navigate the academic and social aspects of school, affect his behavior at home and have an all-around good influence on him as he develops into an adult.

If you’re still concerned about encouraging violent tendencies or teaching your child to fight, it may be helpful to visit a few dojos/gyms in your area. Speak with the instructors, administrators and other parents to get an idea of how things operate, and hold off on forming a negative opinion of the martial arts until you’ve done a bit of exploratory research. You may even find that training is the perfect activity for your entire family to do together! - (http://www.kenneymyers.com/blog/10-reasons-martial-arts-benefits-kids/)



The Ultimate Fighter Season 19 just started and there looks like some real great guys going into the house. UFC Jones v Teixeira was on today.

3rd of May is Brace in Sydney and 2 of our Legion XIII guys are competing. If you are in Sydney go take a look. There can be some good amateur fights (and some not so good ones, lets be honest)

There is so much happening, get out there and see what there is, get involved. You will love it.

Kids Classes

Legion 13 Canberra are starting kids classes for boys and girls, ages 9-13. Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning! Starting 1st May

TUF

Who watched the TUF Nations finale?! pity that no aussies made the grand final, but that's ok. I think it is a bit harsh that Tyler got chucked out of the UFC from a Twitter post made about a year before he even got into the UFC or the UFC house. 

TUF season 19 is on now so you don't have to worry about getting withdrawals. 

TUF Brazil season 3 last week was amazing, with Wanderlai and Chael going at it. Have to admit I have been waiting to see that! I am not sure what to make of Silva as a coach. Sonnen we have seen before of US TUF. He seems like a really good coach and his teams always love him. He seems there for the fighters, not for the show. Which is obviously what you want in a coach. People should really get on to the The Ultimate Fighter seasons because there is not only entertainment, but they teach you nutrition and about cutting weight and there are some really good fights and training techniques.

Grading

Right of passage when grading up

 

Seminar Videos

Seminar

Another great seminar by Andrew Leggett with over 20 people attending. Some coming from Wollongong. Lots of laughs and hard work. A few people got stripes on their belts and one lucky lady got her BLUE BELT. Check out some of the vids and pics below :)

In May

Coming up in May are 2 comps. One is a BJJ Gi and No-Gi comp and the other is a BJJ no time limit and no points, submission only comp.

If you are interested in seeing what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is all about this is the perfect opportunity to check it out. If you are training, no matter how long for, competitions are a good way to see how your skills stack up on a national scale. it also helps you improve and see where the holes in your game are. 
some people don't like entering competitions till they are a higher level in their belt/weight catagory but they are really missing out on a great opportunity to learn, grow and also have a chance to make new friends nationally. It gives you great connections if you ever travel and people to come train with you at your own gym to help with you and your team mates. 
 

This Weekend

The Andrew Leggett Seminar is this weekend. Some people will get graded so it will be an exciting weekend. He is an excellent instructor and all round great guy. There will be great new things being learned and i'm sure a fair few drinks will be shared in celebration.

Training Around The World

USA

Ryan Hall 
50/50 Gym
Falls Church, Virginia

Antonio Nogueria
Black House
San Diego, California

Randy Couture
Xtreme Couture MMA
Las Vages, Nevada

Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu
Brooklyn, New York


UK and Europe

Roger Gracie Academy
London, England

There are lots of places around Europe so here is a link to show you some of the gyms.
www.bjjee.com/academies/ 


Asia

Olavo Abreu and the Leone Brothers
Phuket Top Team
Phuket, Thailand

Axis Jiu Jitsu Academy
Tokyo, Japan

Shooting Gym
Osaka, Japan


Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Combat School


Australia 

 Legacy Martial Arts
Chippendale, Sydney

Peter De Been
St Kilda, Melbourne

Garra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy
Kelvin Grove, Brisbane

Legion 13 Perth
Perth, Western Australia

Legion XIII Canberra
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

 

Instructors

Adam Saunderson

Adam is a BLACK BELT and has been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) since 2001 and is a brown belt under Grayson West, Legion 13 in Perth , legion 13 is affiliated with Peter De Been Jiu-Jitsu in W.A. & in the ACT.

He has trained and competed in BJJ around the world, gaining his purple belt from Felipe Alves De Souza at BJJ School (London) and his blue belt from John Donahue at Extreme BJJ & Grappling (Melbourne). Adam regularly seeks out the best black belts in the world to train with; making regular trips to Phuket, Perth and Melbourne to train BJJ and MMA to continue to develop as a martial artist, and to share the latest techniques and training methodologies with his students.

Adam as been teaching BJJ and MMA for 3 years now and the Legion 13 Team Canberra is fast becoming one of the strongest competition BJJ teams in the ACT. The team has been successful at all local competitions in BJJ from the small ACT comps to Pan-Pacific Titles in Melbourne and MMA events, with team members regularly competing in BJJ, combat grappling and MMA.

Stephen Owens

Steve is a PURPLE BELT and has been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2009. He is a purple belt under Adam Saunderson, Legion 13 in Canberra. Over two years ago Steve moved his training to Stockade to train in BJJ, Muay Thai and Boxing/Kickboxing.

Since moving to Stockade, he has placed and won in both his weight division and at the open weight classes in both local and state level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Gi and No-Gi competitions. Steve also has had two MMA fights and two wins in BRACE and the MFC, making him 2-0. One by TKO the other by Submission. 




Recent addition to the team is Reid Reale, who is a BROWN BELT under Peter De Been. 

 He is a great addition to the team and has won many BJJ competitions in his weight division and open weight.

Count Down

FIVE DAYS TO GO. SIGN UP BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE

 

Interesting

If I were you I would definitely be checking out Metamoris 3

and for the girls out there - have a look at Clark Gracie ;)

Team News

There was a grading session yesterday. The guys/girls were put through their paces for 4 hours just for the chances to be moved up a belt colour. Lets see who gets a BLUE BELT or PURPLE BELT at the Andrew Leggett Seminar, 12-13 April.
There was lots of support out on the mats from the coloured belts. Legion XIII isn't just a team but they are support network of friends. 
I can't say it enough, this club is amazing and the atmosphere is electric. Everyone is friends and hang out outside of club events and training. It is a fun environment, but tough training. Perfect balance.

Also keep a look out for kids classes coming your way

Just For S*#@'s and Giggles

For any serious martial artist there is a great YouTube show called Enter The Dojo



Watch this Bas Rutten self defence instructional. Or if you like a bit of a techno twist to your instructionals.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNfYDKST95Y


If you watch the UFC you should get a kick out of this video

Fixed Links and A Bit Extra

So it came to my attention that the videos weren't working properly. I have fixed that now, i hope. Take a look. I will try to post some more vids and pics when I get the chance. Most likely it will be after the seminar happens. In the mean time I would like to show people that want to compete the rules. 


See the rules set out by the AFBJJ/IFBJJ.

There seems to be no set out blanket rules across Australia like BJJ (just region to region) but here are all the common rules and one to show UFC rules

Coming Up

Book a spot now!