Our Club
​WELCOME to Combat Jujitsu Ryu.​
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Our club has a long and varied history, but we have selected the important and best bits for you to read about us.
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We have recently volunteered at the charity Action 4 Bullying by offering free workshops and tailored sessions to their users who are affected by bullying. We plan to continue this as we support those in need, as do our students.

Our school first opened in 1996 when Sensei Tim Brennan (formerly of Goshin Combat Jujitsu) opened a new club at North Birmingham Academy (then known as Perry Common Senior School) whilst he was a 1st Dan. We were part of Goshin Combat JuJitsu and affiliated with the Kenpo JuJitsu Budo Association.
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In 2006 we reformed as Combat JuJitsu Ryu (The School of Combat Jujitsu) and joined the International Fighting Arts Organisation, who regulate, license and insure us.
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The school eventually became an Academy and cut out 3rd party activities, so in 2009 we moved to the Kingstanding Leisure Centre (now Kingstanding Wellbeing Centre), where we currently continue to teach twice a week.

Each of our instructors have been training in JuJitsu for over 10 years each and have all gained basic First Aid qualifications and hold valid public indemnity/ liability insurance and DBS (new CRB) certificates. They are very dedicated to their art and passing on their skills and knowledge and have trained many students over the years. New students are always welcomed into the club and enjoy their time with us and like what we offer.
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In March 2017 Sensei Tim made the decision to step down after 30+ years of hard work and dedication, leaving Sensei Steve as the new head instructor and manager of Combat Jujitsu Ryu. Sensei Tim will still offer support though will be having a long deserved rest first.
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As of May 2018 Sensei Steve has moved to the South West and formally handed over the Birmingham club to Sensei Sarah. Sensei Steve has opened up a branch of Combat Jujitsu Ryu in Barnstaple, Devon. The last we heard from him it was going very well and he's collaborating with other black belts sharing the Dojo.
We own 48 high grade 40mm jigsaw mats covering 48 square metres, they are hard wearing and absorb a lot of impact, perfect for our style of Jujitsu and it's varied moves.
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We have previously supported local charities and youth groups by delivering free self defence sessions to those in need.
Name: Sensei TIM BRENNAN
Rank: Black Belt 2nd Dan (Founder)
Experience: 30+ Years
Club founder Sensei Tim's vast experience and years covers traditional Karate, and later, JuJitsu. Fast, dedicated, highly disciplined,
technicially skilled, knowledgable and passionate about teaching to the absolute best standards. He will give you all the time and encouragement you'll need to achieve each grade.
Sensei Tim is a firm believer in hard work, maximum effort and commitment. His experience means he will always advise you to give your sessions 100% in order to get the maximum benefit and results. Sensei Tim never doubts the effectiveness of our system but if he finds a technique ineffective or too complicated/flashy for practical use, he will adapt it, rework it or replace it to make it effective again. Well versed in many weapons within our system, adapts to situations and has incredible strike accuracy.
Name: Sensei STEVE MCNEILL
Rank: Black 1st Dan (Head instructor of our Devon club)
Experience: 19 Years
Sensei Steve has trained in various forms of Karate, Judo, Wrestling and other systems since a young age. He took up Goshin
Combat JuJitsu under Sensei Tim at 15/16 years old and earned his Black Belt after 7 years (and lots of sweat and hard work). Being the tallest in the class at 6'2" Sensei Steve is dedicated to using his experience and skill to show you that size and strength are not as important as technique in Jujitsu. His main focus is ensuring all students develop equally but at their own pace and to show them how capable they can be and that they enjoy training with us. Sense Steve became chief instructor and head of Combat Jujitsu Ryu in 2017, later moving to Devon in 2018 and founding a branch of Combat Jujitsu Ryu there. He formally handed ownership of the Birmingham club to Sensei Sarah in May 2018 and works 50/50 with her in overseeing, developing and promoting Combat Jujitsu Ryu as a whole.
Name: Sensei SARAH SPEKSNYDER
Rank: Black 1st Dan
Experience: 25 Years (Head instructor of our Birmingham club)
Sensei Sarah began Goshin Combat JuJitsu as a child, and later trained under Sensei Tim from her teens to her adult years.
Sensei Sarah is a prime example of a female instructor who had a very demanding black belt grade with mainly male attackers but proved the effectiveness of her technique and skill, earning a very well deserved grade. Sensei Sarah specialises in many areas, specifically the junior students, fitness, innovative warmups and confidence building.
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Sensei Sarah took over from Sensei Steve on his departure and is constantly looking for areas to improve and innovate, without losing our core beliefs and teachings.
Name: Sensei HAMISH COSGROVE
Rank: Black Belt
Experience: 15 Years
Sensei Hamish has been with us for over 14 years, starting out in the Juniors and working his way up to the adults. He is currently assisting Sensei Sarah and running classes when required.
Name: Sensei Angus COSGROVE
Rank: Black Belt
Experience: 14 Years
Sensei Angus has always been hot on the heels of his older brother and always ready to give 100%. Just like Sensei Hamish, he has worked through the junior grades and is currently assisting Sensei Sarah also.
