Progress Starts Here. Excellence Follows.
Jiu Jitsu, Elevated.
…While Making Sure They Have a TON of Fun
Give Your Kids the Lifelong Gifts of Personal Success, Confidence, Discipline and Self-Defense
YOUR CHILD WILL GROW WITH EVERY CLASS!
Children are like sponges. They absorb things quickly and easily – far more easily than we do as adults. In fact, parents can sometimes see a difference in their kids after just one martial arts class. Each additional class they attend increases their knowledge and growth.
Not only are they getting healthier as they learn martial arts, they’re also learning the value of self-discipline and respect. When you enroll your child in a martial arts class, you’re giving them much more than the physical skills we teach. You’re giving them the opportunity to thrive.
ICON JIU JITSU BELFAST
Boucher Road • Belfast
Kids Classes
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Age Group: 4-6 Years
Where play meets purpose.
Our Little Icons programme uses structured play to introduce children to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a fun and engaging way. While they’re enjoying themselves, they’re also building essential skills — concentration, focus, coordination, and early confidence.
A strong foundation in both movement and mindset, all in a positive, welcoming environment.
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Age Group: 7-11 year olds.
Where focus becomes a habit.
Our Icon Kids programme builds on the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while helping children develop real discipline, concentration, and resilience. Through structured classes, kids learn to stay focused, follow instruction, and push through challenges — skills that carry over into school and home life.
As a sport, BJJ develops coordination, problem-solving, confidence, and respect, all within a positive and supportive environment
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Age Group: 12 Years+.
Built for progress.
This is where Brazilian Jiu Jitsu becomes more than just a class. Our Teens programme focuses on technical development, discipline, and work ethic — helping students improve physically and mentally through consistent training.
BJJ develops strength, problem-solving, confidence, and the ability to stay calm under pressure, preparing them for the demands of both sport and life.
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This is where young minds start to sharpen. These classes blend technical Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with more structured movement, advanced problem solving, and growing personal responsibility, all while keeping sessions engaging and fun.
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ICON kids builds more than skills. It builds discipline, resilience, and the ability to stay composed under pressure — traits that give kids a real advantage as they grow.
Through consistent training, they learn focus, accountability, and how to push through challenges. These habits don’t stay in the gym — they show up in school, at home, and in how they approach life.
In a world where many struggle with attention and consistency, kids who train stand out. They’re more confident, more focused, and better prepared for whatever comes next.
junior Classes
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The skills learned here show up where it matters most — at school and socially.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu helps children improve focus, discipline, and concentration, making it easier to learn, listen, and stay on task. It also builds confidence, communication, and the ability to interact positively with others — giving them a clear advantage both in the classroom and with their peers.
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At ICON, we go beyond technique. We build discipline, respect, and resilience through consistent training and high standards.
Kids learn the value of showing up, listening, and applying themselves — even when things get difficult. Over time, this creates a mindset that carries into school, home, and everyday life, giving them a clear advantage as they grow.
THE DIFFICULTIES OF RAISING CHILDREN ARE NEAR ENDLESS
There really is a safe, natural and extremely effective way to take charge and positively impact every aspect of your child’s life. It doesn’t take medicine, therapy, harsh actions, or cajoling your kids to change their behavior. Instead, it is teaching your kids self-discipline, hard work, confidence, and respect. This done in a way that empowers them while also teaching them humility, and promoting health and fitness… all at the same time.
Sounds like a wonder cure doesn’t it?
But there really is something that does all that. And that’s the power of martial arts classes.
LIFELONG CHARACTER AND SUCCESS TRAITS
Your kids’ everyday friends aren’t the main concern anymore when it comes to character development. Now you have to worry about all the negative and harmful influences that the internet can introduce into your children’s lives.
The true benefit or our classes are the character and success traits that are developed through martial arts training.
Through learning the skills and techniques of martial arts, to the guidance and inspiration of our instructors and the positive social interaction with their fellow classmates, your kids will develop a whole list of skills.
FITNESS DISGUISED
Face it. Between the foods we eat and the constant sitting and staring into screens and devices, many kids aren’t getting enough regular exercise.
Our martial arts classes for kids are full exercise routines disguised as a boatload of fun! That’s because they are jam packed with activities, games and drills that are all designed to disguise the repetition of training.
Of course it’s important for your kids to exercise and wear themselves out – they stay healthy, sleep well, and develop their minds and bodies. But just as important, our classes will help develop at a young age the physical habits they need to grow into healthy adults.
SELF-DEFENSE FROM PREDATORS AND BULLIES
We never want our kids to have to use these skills in modern life, but every good parent still wants their kids to be safe.
That’s why our martial arts training is very serious about teaching your kids the skills needed for self-protection in any circumstance, from the neighborhood bully to a stranger on the street (and so much more).
But knowing how to defend oneself is only half the battle. Our classes teach your child the respect and self-discipline needed to diffuse a situation without violence whenever possible – as well as the knowledge to know when force is the only way to safety.
TONS OF F-U-N !!
We never forget… kids are kids and they deserve to have some fun!
We can’t guarantee that their normal school teachers are making learning an enjoyable experience, but we DO guarantee that your kid will have a blast in our martial arts classes.
It really is a challenge to design a class that keeps children focused on learning, respect, and discipline while still having fun… but our classes are created just for that. They are so full of ideas, activities, and games that your kids will never get bored or stagnate.
It’s also a fantastic and healthy environment for them (and you) to make friends with other like-minded students. It really is a place where laughter, cheer and happiness abound
Teens Classes
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Age Group: Ages 12 and over
For young athletes ready to level up…
Classes are designed for technical progression, instilling not just physical ability but confidence, focus, and resilience, preparing teens for challenges on and off the mats.
ARMA Teens classes build confidence, resilience, and technical skills. Help your teen progress with an ICON Teens Jiu Jitsu Membership and access structured training and competition pathways. -
ICON Teens is the next-stage Jiu Jitsu programme built for ages 12+, and who are ready to train with intention. Classes focus on technical progression, discipline, and physical development in a structured, supportive environment led by expert and world-class coaches.
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More than just technique, ICON Teens builds confidence, self-awareness, and resilience on and off the mat, equipping young athletes with tools that go far beyond Jiu Jitsu.
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This is where the journey starts to feel real. Focused training. Elevated standards. And a sense of belonging to something bigger. For the next generation of confident movers, thinkers, and leaders.Item description
Begin Your Jiu Jitsu Journey
Take your training to the next level
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Tony McMorrow
Childrens Programme Director
Being a qualified Youth/Community worker for over 25 years with extensive expertise working with kids with disabilities, complex needs like ADHD, ASD , anger problems and running projects focusing on a group work setting, it was natural for me to get involved with the kids programmes at Icon. -
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David Terry
Head Coach
I am a BJJ black belt and I have trained with the Icon Team under Zé Marcello for over 17 years. I loved the culture of the global Icon team as soon as I joined and it was exciting to be able to open my own Icon school and carry on our culture of no ego training, welcoming so many new starters to the sport. -
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Zé Marcello
Icon Founder
Zé Marcello (sixth degree black belt) went from training on wooden floors in Brazil to creating a jiu-jitsu association with more than 140 affiliates.Icon Jiu Jitsu team founder and head coach, now living permanently in England.
