Neil Williams and the Welsh Kids' BJJ League

Pictures: Dan Minto. Words: Jiu Jitsu Style.

Welsh Jiu Jitsu enthusiasts Neil Williams and Greg Creel spent months building something the local BJJ scene didn't have: a regular, friendly, competitive home for kids who were getting serious about their grappling.

Brown and black belts respectively, Neil and Greg launched the Welsh Kids' League to give youngsters the chance to compete often and pick up all the lessons — confidence, composure, friendships — that come with regular mat time outside their own academy.

Though based in Wales, the league has drawn families from across the UK, with more than 150 competitors turning up to their busiest event. We caught up with Neil to talk about how it came together and why he believes regular kids' competition matters more than ever.

Hi Neil, how did the Welsh Kids' League come about?

Greg actually approached me with the idea, and I was excited straight away. We'd seen the great things the UKBJJA were doing along the same lines in London, so we thought it was something that would work brilliantly down here.

We've got a pretty big catchment area, and lots of different schools and teams have shown their support, so we're really pleased with how it's going. It just seemed like a really good thing to offer the kids who are keen and into their jiu jitsu.

Has it gone down well with the kids and their parents?

The feedback has been absolutely fantastic — far more than I imagined. The kids all seem to have a terrific time, and the parents have given Greg and myself plenty of positive comments, so I think we're doing pretty well at this stage.

We've also had real support from Tatami Fightwear and a few other brands looking to get involved, which has been another huge help.

How often do you run the events?

We run the league regularly across the year so it's nice and predictable for families. We try to keep everything relaxed and as informal as we can. It's competitive and the standard is genuinely high, but we're more focused on the kids enjoying themselves than on anyone walking away with a giant trophy.

You and Greg have both been in BJJ a long time. Does it feel like a real achievement to offer this for kids?

I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Pedro Bessa nearly twenty years ago, and back then there was nothing like this around for the kids. The BJJ scene has changed completely. You only have to look at the Ruotolo brothers and Mikey Musumeci to see what a kid can become when they get regular, friendly mat time early. The talent pool we've got coming through in UK Jiu Jitsu is genuinely exciting, and shows like the UKBJJA Kids National are stacked with future contenders.

Honestly, it's surprised me a little — the kids' league is probably one of my highlights in jiu jitsu so far. I've been training for a long time, but I absolutely love coaching the kids.

Where can people find out more?

We post all our upcoming events and registration on our socials, and the UKBJJA calendar is the best place to keep across the wider UK kids' circuit. Come down, bring a packed lunch, and watch a hundred and fifty kids have the time of their lives.

Originally published in Jiu Jitsu Style. Refreshed for 2026.