Club: Escapology BJJ – England, South
Belt: Black+
Women and girls make up a fundamental part of the UK jiu jitsu scene and need a representative that is going to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are met. I am co-owner of one of the largest jiu jitsu academies in the country, and received my technical training from AOJ. I have extensive competitive experience, but I also have spent years building a team and academy from the ground up.
Despite being a rising percentage of the training population, female jiu jitsu athletes in the UK face an uphill battle when it comes to representation and opportunity. Indeed, among European nations, the UK ranks poorly when it comes to female representation in sport overall outside the top levels. The number of girls that drop out of sport during their adolescence is, quite frankly, too high. While the drive to bolster support for female athletes exists, the framework needs attention.
Currently, according to Sport England only 26% of leaders in the top 20 sports in England are women– I would venture a guess that the number in UK/global jiu jitsu is far, far lower. However, lacking appropriate metrics to even provide a percentage is problematic: we need quantitative data to discuss the problems of women’s representation in jiu jitsu before we can begin to address the inequalities of the sport. Data-driven solutions and training are necessary going forward.
I would like to explore strategies that allow female practitioners access to existing opportunities in the same way as their male peers. The UK’s jiu jitsu scene is vibrant but small compared to other countries’ scenes, and we cannot continue to allow the development of two separate but parallel communities for male and female practitioners. Because the UK does not have a massive population, we do not have unlimited opportunities for developmental depth. Developing a shared communal space that is safe, welcoming, and intolerant of abusers is fundamentally important for the longevity of the UK’s jiu jitsu scene.
I would like to bring my organisational skills to help serve the community with the larger problem of building support systems for female athletes, but I would also like to focus on bringing more women into leadership roles within the community– diversity of voices and experiences is what makes the community.
Qualifications/ relevant professional experience
- BJJ Black Belt
- Escapology BJJ Academy Owner
- Academy Head Coach
- Multiple-time black belt Worlds/Euros/Pans/Worlds medalist (adult, gi & no gi)
Social Media
Instagram – @chelsea__leah @escapologybjj