Sorry in advance for the long post. I have thought about this for a long time, and have a lot to say about it.
I feel like I have a problem that is shared by many BJJ fighters, and I may have an idea for it. While I am fortunate enough to have a job in this economy, I am in debt, and training alone costs a ton. That doesn't even include: multiple gi's, protective equipment, good gear (ankle wraps, compression shorts, etc.), costs for belt tests, or anything else. God knows how expensive those seminars and master classes can be when an elite fighter comes by. Most importantly, I want to compete, but competitions average around $70, plus gas/airfare and extras (drinks or pedialyte or whatever else).
It is really hard for someone who doesn't win black belt tournaments (and thus can get sponsored) to finance BJJ, and I feel like students should start competing early to begin establishing an "A game" and figure out where we stand skill-wise. MMA and BJJ are rising fast, and the next generation of fighters needs some support to push them to an even higher level. You see young people like those 2 little boys who train with a bunch of pros all day and look like they could take me apart in 10 seconds, or JM or Gabby, and you know there are a ton more future monsters out there that should be getting the chance to compete, but can't.
We need to recognize that the established "best" are aging, and that ADCC 2021 will be full of totally different and much younger names (2009 started to show this w/ guys like Rafael Mendes, and the retirement from competition of a few legends like Saulo Riberio and Leo Vieira). Sadly, most people drawn to fighting are not rich, and often are broke. The grappling community has to help sustain itself, and support it's fighters directly if it wants to continue to stay ahead of the curve, especially in MMA.
On that note, I want to do the following. I want to go to clothing and equipment companies, tournament organizations, MMA companies, groups like NABJJF and IBJJF, etc and ask for support on starting a scholarship program for young BJJ fighters. This would not necessarily be solely for the prodigies ... the criteria would be some mix of passion, financial need / personal situation, and maybe skill some of the time, similar to need-based scholarships at colleges. My first instinct is that we could run an essay contest or something, or maybe ask for essays, a bio, and some grappling vids.
Smaller copmaines could offer the student free gear, or local schools could give free classes with a few private lessons each month. Bigger organizations would hopefully send some $$, knowing that it really doesn't take all that much in the grand scheme of things to cover competition costs for a few students. I would guess that $800-1k plus $300-400 worth of gear (which would cost the company much less to make) could very comfortably support an avid competitor for a year, maybe even two. In other words, 10-20 companies could send small amounts of support and still make a huge difference in the lives of 25 up-and-coming fighters.
Not only would this support the market in which they thrive, but it would also be great, cheap advertising / PR. It makes a great story, especially if one of the students starts tearing up competitions, and a simple patch on their gis could get the name/idea out there quickly. The BJJ world is small, and everyone talks. It's a win-win for everyone involved. So I want to ask a few things to the most open-minded group of fighters in the world. First, what do you think? Second, what changes or additions would you make? Third, what types of groups would be good to approach with this? Finally, if it did take off, would any of the TPJJ schools or gear-makers pitch in? Thanks for reading this short book I seem to have just written, and thanks for your ideas.
I feel like I have a problem that is shared by many BJJ fighters, and I may have an idea for it. While I am fortunate enough to have a job in this economy, I am in debt, and training alone costs a ton. That doesn't even include: multiple gi's, protective equipment, good gear (ankle wraps, compression shorts, etc.), costs for belt tests, or anything else. God knows how expensive those seminars and master classes can be when an elite fighter comes by. Most importantly, I want to compete, but competitions average around $70, plus gas/airfare and extras (drinks or pedialyte or whatever else).
It is really hard for someone who doesn't win black belt tournaments (and thus can get sponsored) to finance BJJ, and I feel like students should start competing early to begin establishing an "A game" and figure out where we stand skill-wise. MMA and BJJ are rising fast, and the next generation of fighters needs some support to push them to an even higher level. You see young people like those 2 little boys who train with a bunch of pros all day and look like they could take me apart in 10 seconds, or JM or Gabby, and you know there are a ton more future monsters out there that should be getting the chance to compete, but can't.
We need to recognize that the established "best" are aging, and that ADCC 2021 will be full of totally different and much younger names (2009 started to show this w/ guys like Rafael Mendes, and the retirement from competition of a few legends like Saulo Riberio and Leo Vieira). Sadly, most people drawn to fighting are not rich, and often are broke. The grappling community has to help sustain itself, and support it's fighters directly if it wants to continue to stay ahead of the curve, especially in MMA.
On that note, I want to do the following. I want to go to clothing and equipment companies, tournament organizations, MMA companies, groups like NABJJF and IBJJF, etc and ask for support on starting a scholarship program for young BJJ fighters. This would not necessarily be solely for the prodigies ... the criteria would be some mix of passion, financial need / personal situation, and maybe skill some of the time, similar to need-based scholarships at colleges. My first instinct is that we could run an essay contest or something, or maybe ask for essays, a bio, and some grappling vids.
Smaller copmaines could offer the student free gear, or local schools could give free classes with a few private lessons each month. Bigger organizations would hopefully send some $$, knowing that it really doesn't take all that much in the grand scheme of things to cover competition costs for a few students. I would guess that $800-1k plus $300-400 worth of gear (which would cost the company much less to make) could very comfortably support an avid competitor for a year, maybe even two. In other words, 10-20 companies could send small amounts of support and still make a huge difference in the lives of 25 up-and-coming fighters.
Not only would this support the market in which they thrive, but it would also be great, cheap advertising / PR. It makes a great story, especially if one of the students starts tearing up competitions, and a simple patch on their gis could get the name/idea out there quickly. The BJJ world is small, and everyone talks. It's a win-win for everyone involved. So I want to ask a few things to the most open-minded group of fighters in the world. First, what do you think? Second, what changes or additions would you make? Third, what types of groups would be good to approach with this? Finally, if it did take off, would any of the TPJJ schools or gear-makers pitch in? Thanks for reading this short book I seem to have just written, and thanks for your ideas.
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