Community Spotlight

Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu: A Family Business Creating Community on the Northern Beaches

September 18, 2025

When you walk into Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu, you find more than a martial arts gym.

You find a family.

Built and run by the Pacheco family, this academy has become a welcoming space on Sydney’s Northern Beaches where kids, teens and adults of all levels — with dedicated programs for women — can train in a supportive and community-driven environment.

Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu family business in Warriewood
The Pacheco family at the inauguration of the Warriewood headquarters.

The Family Story

Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu is a family-run Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy with three locations on Sydney’s Northern Beaches: Warriewood, Narraweena and Avalon. The academy was founded by Diogenes Pacheco, who leads the headquarters in Warriewood with a focus on discipline, confidence and respect.

The Warriewood headquarters is the heart of Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu. This is where Diogenes teaches classes and guides students of all ages, from kids’ Jiu-Jitsu beginners to adults training at an advanced level. The location also offers more than martial arts. Inside the Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu Warriewood HQ you will find:

Pacheco Performance, a fully equipped training gym.
Vitality Pilates Studio, led by Fernanda Gressler, specialising in recovery and flexibility.
BG Physio, a sports physiotherapy clinic run by Bruno Gragnani, located on-site and supporting athletes with injury prevention and rehabilitation.

What began in Warriewood as a family project has since grown.

The family expanded with the Youth Academy, which opened in May 2025 in Narraweena. This new location is managed by Wesley Pacheco and his wife Kyla Bolterstenj, and focuses on kids’ and teens’ Jiu-Jitsu programs.

The Youth Academy creates a safe and positive environment where young students develop discipline, resilience and self-belief. With Wesley’s experience as a competitor and Kyla’s background as a teacher, the Narraweena academy has quickly become a trusted choice for local families.

With three locations now open, Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu continues to grow while staying true to its family values.

Programs for Everyone

With locations in Warriewood, Narraweena and Avalon, Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu offers programs for the whole family, from kids and teens to adults of all levels, with dedicated sessions for women:

Kids’ Jiu-Jitsu Program

Jiu-Jitsu classes for children are available in all Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu locations at the Northern Beaches. The focus is on discipline, resilience and personal growth, taught in a safe and fun environment. Kids learn self-defence, improve fitness and build social skills. Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu is also an approved provider for the NSW Active Kids Program, and in September new students can access a promotion of two weeks free training for ages 4 to 15.

Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu Kids Programa

Women’s Jiu-Jitsu Program

Women’s classes at Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu combine technical training, self-defence and fitness with a supportive community atmosphere. The program is designed to empower women of all levels, offering a safe space to build strength, resilience and self-assurance.

Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu Women Program

Beginners and Advanced Training

Everyone is welcome at every stage, from first-time beginners to advanced competitors. Classes mix technical instruction, sparring and conditioning. For athletes with competition goals, Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu offers advanced training led by experienced coaches, including medal-winning champions.

Pacheco Jiu-Jiutsu Advanced Training

Champions and Achievements

Training at Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu is not only about fitness, self-defence and community — it’s also about excellence. From kids stepping onto the mats for their first competitions to seasoned athletes climbing podiums, the academy has built a culture of achievement.

Two names that highlight this journey are Wesley Pacheco and Kenay Santos:

Wesley Pacheco @wesleypachecojj

Head coach of the Narraweena Youth Academy and active competitor. Wesley has won gold at the IBJJF Pan Pacific Championship and the Abu Dhabi National Pro, and continues to pursue his goal of becoming a World Champion. His experience as both an athlete and a coach brings real-world competition knowledge to students.

Kenay Santos @kenaybjj7

A rising star at just 20 years old, Kenay Santos is a Brown Belt competitor representing Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu. He has already earned gold at tournaments such as Sydney Jiujiteiros and the NSW Jiu-Jitsu Championship, showing the pathway from beginner to elite that Pacheco provides.

These stories reflect only part of the picture.

From kids developing confidence at their first competitions to women excelling on the mats, Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu continues to grow a new generation of champions.

Loved by the Community, A Big Help for Parents

Parents across Sydney’s Northern Beaches choose Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu because it’s more than a place to train — it’s a safe and positive environment where kids and teens can thrive. In an era dominated by screens and devices, the Pacheco family helps children build healthy habits, stay active and learn values that last a lifetime. At Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu, kids gain:

Discipline and respect
Resilience and self-esteem
Fitness, coordination and balance
Social connection beyond the screen
A supportive community for the whole family

Instead of pushing aggression, the focus is on self-defence, teamwork and respect.

Children are encouraged to grow in self-belief while learning how to handle challenges calmly and safely. Parents see the difference every week — kids walk out of class happier, more active and proud of what they’ve achieved.

Join the Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu Family

Pacheco Jiu-Jitsu has grown from a family dream into a cornerstone of the Northern Beaches community. With three locations, expert coaching and programs for every age, it continues to shape confident athletes and resilient kids, all while staying true to the values of respect, discipline and family.

Whether you’re looking for a place for your child to thrive, to start your own Jiu-Jitsu journey, or to push your skills to a competitive level, the Pacheco family welcomes you to be part of their story.

Book your free trial today and see the difference for yourself.