Featured affiliated academy: Bushido Flow Grappling Arts, Tasmania BJJ
Where is the gym located?
Devonport, Tasmania (Australia)
How many people train there?
All up about 20 people.
Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
We’ve only just opened and are still getting set up, but yes we have doubled our members in a month.
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
Highest grade is brown belt – that’s me and I am coaching. We have lots of new white belts which is great to help the sport grow!
When did Bushido Flow Grappling Arts, Tasmania BJJ open?
We opened on the 1st August 2022. At the moment our space is pretty sparse, however in a fortnight we have new carpet coming, new vinyl cover for the mats, and we’ll finish painting.
Some facts about you:
Name: Matt Hull-Styles
Age: 42
Belt: Brown belt
Profession: Academic/University tutor
Years in BJJ: 15
Other martial arts: Luta Livre
Currently living in: Ulverstone, Tasmania
Originally from: I was born in New South Wales in Australia and moved to Queensland and lived there for over 20 years.
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
I was training at another gym for a few months, but took a short break due to Covid concerns as my kids have compromised immune systems. In the downtime I started to realise there were some things at the gym I was previously at that didn’t sit well with me from a coaching and leadership methodology perspective. Soon after, some local guys I had met at open mats and casual classes contacted me to come and do some training. We hit it off and I began rolling regularly with them at their shed before it was suggested I start coaching some regular sessions. After doing this for a few months and having some new people join in, we realised we had something special going on and wanted to expand. We managed to secure a nice big space close by and are in the process of fitting it out, but have been training and welcoming new people in the meantime.
Tell us about the people that train in Bushido Flow Grappling Arts, Tasmania BJJ – who are they?
We have a great variety of people already. Some young crew, a few a bit older like me or close to it, some relatively experienced with a few years of training, and others who are brand new. Men and women, mums and dads. Each person comes from a different walk of life and brings a unique background to training which I try to incorporate into how I coach them.
Why do they train?
Many of the students are fans of the new wave of nogi competition as well as MMA, and so it is a logical progression to seek out training. Others are keen for the challenge that martial arts creates and understand that grappling is a highly effective art for self defence as well as fairly safe due to the lack of repeated concussions that can accumulate when training in the striking arts for a long period of time.
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
The main challenge for me is structuring classes that are engaging yet practical and build all the necessary fundamentals without being boring! Other than that other challenges are balancing the task of building a new business with my work and family responsibilities. Also, ensuring my way of doing business is community minded and ethical is also really important and needs constant attention. Keeping costs low for my students whilst trying to fit out the place on a limited budget is also challenging.
Bushido Flow Grappling Arts, Tasmania BJJ
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
There are already some other gyms around with their own flavour. I think different and new coaching approaches and gym cultures offer healthy alternatives to people looking to start BJJ, or who need a change from the gym they are in, so hopefully I can be a part of a trend that focuses on quality coaching and great gym culture.
What’s the best thing about your Bushido Flow Grappling Arts, Tasmania BJJ?
The welcoming atmosphere and attention to detail! Lazy coaching is disrespectful and so is an uninviting vibe. From the outset I wanted to run a progressive and inclusive gym. I’ve been around enough to know the atmosphere I want to train and coach in and produce new students from. Racists, homophobes etc can go find somewhere else to train. We invest in people first.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
Tasmania is a gorgeous place!!!! I have only been here a year but the beaches are amazing, the numerous rivers and lakes are beautiful, Cradle Mountain is breathtaking, and the forests and natural landscapes are world class.
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