The Grapple Girls Open is about empowering women through our passion for the grappling arts. Our event aims to elevate the presence of women in sport by presenting the first-ever, all women’s grappling tournament and seminar weekend in Canada.

August 22, 2009 – Tournament

August 23-29, 2009 – Women’s grappling camp

~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada ~

Who we are

The Grapple Girls Open committee is made up of eight women from many different academies around Toronto. We want no part of the divisive politics that can be so prevalent in martial arts, so we are working together to make this happen. We don’t want money for our efforts. All proceeds after we cover our costs are going to non-profit women’s organizations. We are committed to making this not only the best-run women’s grappling event, but the best-run grappling event anywhere.

The reaction we have received so far has been nothing short of amazing. Women from all over North America are lining up to help – to organize and run the tournament, to give seminars, and to generally make this a fantastic experience for all of us.

Won’t you join us?

Why a women’s event?

Because of the structure of dojos and tournaments, women often train and compete in isolation, which helps perpetuate the male-dominated nature of the sport. However, there is a new generation of female grapplers who are collaborative, collegial and close-knit. This global community of athletes is still young, which means we can shape the essence of the female grappling experience.

The simple fact that this event is the first-ever all-female grappling tournament has drawn the interest of serious competitors and fascinated spectators from all over the continent. This tournament will fill a unique niche for the growing numbers of fans and women in the sport.

This event is a vehicle for change. Women are taking ownership of their training, their athletic communities, and the evolution of their sport. We look forward to the Grapple Girls Open becoming an annual inspiration for the global grappling community

Other important reasons for holding this event include:

• Awareness and education: Support, and athletic development for advanced, beginner, and younger women. We’ll break through stereotypes of what it means to be a female fighter, and we’ll honour the diversity of women’s body shapes, sizes, strengths, ages, skills, and personalities.

• Mentorship: Pro fights and Superfights between some of the biggest names in women’s grappling.

• Community: Grapple Girls Open will be a “hub” for other women training elsewhere — to collaborate, share resources, and provide training partners for women at other schools.

• Accessibility: Spectator-friendly tournament including live feeds to the event website, family-friendly accommodations, and a comfortable and spacious venue.

• Relevancy: Hand-picked sponsors will be interesting and memorable to our audience.

• Charity: All profits go to support women’s organizations.

“I’ve been involved in BJJ for a long time and am proud to see it grow from when women didn’t even have a change room in clubs to now where women can compete in a venue where they are supported and encouraged to learn, achieve, and be part of a growing community. In an all-female tournament, the competitors won’t feel marginalized as they have in the past, which will encourage other females to join and reap the benefits of sport. The future for female grapplers is bright and only getting better!”

–Kaelyn Wong (Event Coordination)

Featured athlete Felicia Oh was awarded her black belt by Jean Jacques Machado after only 4.5 years –- an achievement that has left many of her male training partners both envious and struggling to keep up. She has since dominated many national competitions; in 2007, Felicia became the first woman to win both the Pan American Jiu Jitsu Black Belt gi and no-gi divisions.

Charity we’ll support

Sistering is a women’s agency serving homeless, marginalized and low-income women in Toronto. They offer practical and emotional support through programs that enable women to take greater control over their lives. Their service philosophy is to ensure that women’s dignity is not eroded by poverty and homelessness. They provide showers, laundry facilities, clothing, some transportation, referrals, advocacy support, and life skills workshops. From 1987 to 1999, Sistering experienced a 459% increase in the number of women seeking services.

How to get involved

There are lots of ways to get involved with the Grapple Girls Open!

• Join us at the event as a competitor by signing up on the Registration Page.
• Let us know you plan to be a spectator by joining the discussion on our forums.
• Help sponsor an athlete or the event.
• Donate your time, energy, and expertise to volunteering.
• Keep in touch and stay updated as our News, Articles and Calendar pages will be frequently updated to feed you information through the sweet anticipation before the event.