Five New Blue Belts Earned at December Graduation

We held our December BJJ graduation ceremony last Friday at Studio Galera in Bandon, West Cork, celebrating years of dedication, hard work, and growth from students across our kids and adult programs.

Five New Blue Belts

The highlight of the evening was the promotion of five teenagers from our BJJ teenagers program to blue belt - a significant milestone that represents years of consistent training and personal development.

These students didn't buy their way to blue belt. They earned it through time on the mats, dedication through difficult days, and continuous improvement over months and years of training.

At our academy, belt promotions mean something. There are no shortcuts, no fast-tracks, no participation trophies. Every stripe, every belt represents real skill development and character growth.

Kids' Graduation and Competition

The kids' BJJ program also held belt promotions, recognizing the progress our youngest students have made throughout the year. Following the ceremonies, the kids participated in a small in-house competition where they demonstrated the techniques and skills they've developed.

The energy and enthusiasm from our kids' program continues to be one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do. Watching young students grow in confidence, discipline, and ability is what makes this work meaningful.

December Graduation Photos

More photos from the graduation ceremony are available on our Facebook page.

Philosophy of Earning Your Belt

Head Coach Galera has always maintained a clear philosophy: you don't pay for belts here, you earn them.

This approach means promotions take time. It means students need to show up consistently, push through plateaus, and demonstrate real growth - not just in technique, but in character and mindset.

When a student receives a belt, they know they've truly earned it. That knowledge builds confidence that goes far beyond the mats.

Congratulations to All Promoted Students

Fair play to our five new blue belts - this is just the beginning. Blue belt is where the real journey starts. Keep training, keep growing, keep showing up.

To all our kids who received promotions: you are building skills and habits that will serve you for life. Keep at it.