Description
Event Registration & Division Structure (2026 Updates)
Our competition is designed with children’s safety, fairness, and enjoyment as the top priority.
To help us create the best possible match-ups — especially in youth divisions — registration is structured around experience level, age band, and weight range, rather than very narrow categories. This allows us to build fuller groups, maximise mat time, and avoid situations where children travel long distances for only one short match.
How registration works
When registering, parents will be asked to select:
- Experience levels
- Beginner Competitor: 0–2 competitions
- Novice Competitor : 3–5 competitions
- Experienced Competitor: 6+ competitions
- Age band (based on the child’s age on competition day)
- Weight range (broad ranges used for grouping)
These selections help us plan divisions that are age-appropriate, experience-matched, and as fair as possible. Please add note of your belt and weight in the notes section.
How matches are structured
Final match-ups are organised closer to the event to account for registrations and withdrawals. Where appropriate, youth divisions may be run in round-robin formats or structured pools to ensure competitors receive meaningful mat time.
All youth competitors are guaranteed a minimum of two matches, and many divisions will provide more.
While divisions may appear broader at registration, actual matches are carefully arranged behind the scenes to prioritise safety, fairness, and competitive balance.
Our commitment
- Safety and child welfare come first
- Divisions are designed, not improvised
- We do not force unsafe or unfair matches
- If suitable match-ups are not available, we will communicate clearly with coaches and parents
Our goal is for every child to leave the event having had a positive, well-run competition experience, regardless of bracket size.
Event Rules:
- You must make weight for both your Gi & No Gi Division, making weight for one does not weigh you in for the other.
- Once weight is made for the Gi you cannot leave the bull pen until your bracket is finished or your a eliminated.
- You must this weigh in again for no gi and make that weight you are registered under.
- Again you must not leave the bull pen until your division is over or you are eliminated.
- Weight Allowance is0.2KG -> Athletes who are over weight will be DQ'd
- Athletes will not be moved divisions if weight is missed, a DQ will be issued for overweight competitors.
- Athletes will be DQ'd for improper uniform.
- Athletes cannot weigh in without ID, failure to weigh in will result in a walkover.
- No Mat Side Coaching will be permitted at our competitions.
- Foul or violent language will not be accepted by coaches, parents or supporters at the event and you will be asked to leave if you cannot control your emotions. Support and respect for all competitors is a must.
- When registering your weight, please ensure that the correct uniform is on as they will be weighed with this on them at check in (Gi & No Gi are two separate weighing)
WE DO NOT CONDONE ANY WEIGHT CUTTING OR WEIGHT LOSS PREP PRIOR TO COMPETING AT OUR EVENTS.
THIS IS UNSAFE AND WE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO COMPETE IF WE SUSPECT WEIGHT CUTTING IS TAKING PLACE.
MANDATORY UNIFORM RULES:
ALL KIMONOS MUST BE OF ADEQUATE QUALITY TO COMPETE, NO THIN KIMONOS, THE KIMONOS MUST BE STANDARD RIP STOP QUALITY.
(WE WILL ASK YOU TO CHANGE INTO ADEQUATE CLOTHING)
ALL ATHLETES MUST HAVE NAILS CUT AND CLEAN
(WE WILL ASK YOU TO TRIM)
FOOTWEAR MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES OFF THE MATS
TEAM CHAMPIONS:
THE OVERALL TEAM CHAMPIONS WILL ONLY GO TO INDIVIDUAL ACADEMIES, NOT TO GROUPS OF ACADEMIES.
THERE IS A SEPARATE AWARD FOR AFFILIATIONS THAT ALL AFFILIATES ARE ENTERED INTO.
ENSURE YOUR ACADEMY NAME OR LOCATION IS DETAILED ON YOUR ATHLETES ACADEMY REGISTRATION TO BE IN THE RUNNING FOR TEAM CHAMPIONS.
Weigh In - 30 Minutes minimum prior to bracket beginning (not your match commencing)
Competition Rules modifications and Format:
Our referees have two objectives:
1. Ensure all competitors are safe; and
2. Ensure the correct athlete wins.
We may make decisions that are viewed as unfair or inaccurate but this is only done in the spirit of protecting an athlete and thus we do not see it as an error.
The Solid Ground All Ireland Youth Championship adheres to the rules and regulations set forth by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), with necessary modifications to prioritise the safety and fairness of our young participants.
Detailed explanations of the rules can be found on the IBJJF Rules Book Page.
We have made one main adjustment to these rules and that is jumping guard will be banned across the board for all competitors due to the mixing of experience.
By following these rules, athletes can ensure a safe and fair competition environment for themselves and their opponents.
Advantages will only be included for juveniles matches.
