Head Instructor & Academy Lineage

Head Instructor Simon Farnsworth teaching at UCA

Simon Farnsworth

Simon Farnsworth is the founder and head coach at Universal Combat Academy. With decades of martial arts experience, Simon dedicated himself to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His original black belt was awarded by Sydney pioneer Anthony Lange and John Will, with all subsequent degrees proudly awarded directly by Master Rigan Machado and John Will.

Ranks & Accreditation

  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Black Belt 4th Degree
  • Mixed Martial Arts – Black Belt 5th Degree
  • Pankration – Black Belt 2nd Degree
  • Freestyle – Black Belt 4th Degree
  • Taekwondo – 1st Degree Black Belt

Government & Industry Credentials

  • Government Accredited Instructor
  • NCAS – Level 2 Certified
  • Sports Coaching – Certificate IV
  • MAA Certified Coach – Industry Qualified
  • Senior First Aid Certified

The Journey: From 1983 to the Mats

Simon started training in boxing in 1983, gaining his first competitive ring experience as a young teenager. After a brief break, he re-commenced his martial arts journey, spending years honing his skills as a Taekwondo exponent while incorporating his boxing foundations.

Driven by a desire for realistic training, Simon, his brother Luke, and a handful of dedicated training partners began meeting at a local park in the early 1990s to engage in full-contact matches. In 1995, his curiosity shifted gears after watching a video tape of the very first UFC event from the USA.

The search for a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach led Simon to an advertisement featuring pioneer John Will, who directed him to Sydney's only accredited instructor at the time, Mr Anthony Lange. A lifelong partnership followed, with Anthony remaining Simon's long-time BJJ/MMA coach and mentor. Along the way, Simon has cross-trained with elite UFC veterans and BJJ World Champions.

As a former BJJ champion and shootfighter, Simon stays on the cutting edge of modern combat sports training. His diverse athletic background also includes representing in soccer, winning two state titles, and a highly successful career as a professional motorcycle racer.

Simon credits his achievements to the unwavering support of his wife, Belinda, and considers passing down his knowledge to his son Jake and dedicated students to be his most satisfying milestone in life.

Note: Jake has since taken that competitive foundation to the tarmac. You can follow his progress in the Australian Superbike Championship via his ASBK Rider Profile or on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Verifiable Heritage

Traceability is proof of authenticity. Our direct lineage tracks straight down from the roots of the art form:

  1. Mitsuyo Maeda The Founding Pioneer
  2. Carlos Gracie Sr. First Generation Master
  3. Rigan Machado 8th Degree Red/Black Belt
  4. John Will BJJ Pioneer / Australasian Head
  5. Anthony Lange Sydney Pioneer / Coach & Mentor
  6. Simon Farnsworth UCA Castle Hill Head Coach

Academy Ranks & Black Belts

Current Black Belts & Coaches

Instructors actively guiding development on the UCA Castle Hill mats:

  • Simon Farnsworth Head Coach / Black Belt
  • Luke Farnsworth Black Belt
  • Peter Gaul Black Belt
  • Rob Sabaruddin Black Belt
Simon Farnsworth Black Belt Profile Simon Farnsworth
Luke Farnsworth Black Belt Profile Luke Farnsworth
Peter Gaul Black Belt Profile Peter Gaul
Rob Sabaruddin Black Belt Profile Rob Sabaruddin

Historical Black Belts & Pioneers

Acknowledging the foundational black belts and instructors who contributed to UCA's legacy over our journey:

  • Garry Jack First Generation Black Belt
  • David Ward Historical Head Coach
  • Ara Aroutiounian Founding Practitioner
  • Kirk Sicard Legacy Instructor
Garry Jack Historical Profile Garry Jack
UCA Legacy Pioneer Profile Dave Ward
UCA Legacy Pioneer Profile Ara Aroutiounian
UCA Legacy Pioneer Profile Kirk Sicard

Advanced Practitioners & Mat Seniority

Recognising the additional Black Belts and senior Brown Belts who form the technical backbone of our daily training floor:

Academy Black Belts

  • Jake Farnsworth Black Belt
  • Pete Shua Black Belt
  • Stephanie Ascone Black Belt
  • Todd Savage Black Belt

Academy Brown Belts

  • Joshua Bakhos Brown Belt
  • Joel Smith Brown Belt
  • [Practitioner Name] Brown Belt

Academy History & Milestones

A comprehensive tracking of our competitive achievements, grading milestones, and historical progression on the mats from 2009 to 2015.

2008

The Black Belt Milestone: A foundational year for the academy's technical lineage. Head Coach Simon Farnsworth is officially awarded his BJJ Black Belt by long-time mentor Anthony Lange and Peter King—view the Black Belt presentation details.

2009

Adults Grading (December): The academy holds a memorable end-of-year BJJ grading on 28th December. View the December 2009 Grading Photo as long-time foundational students Dave Ward and Rad Funiok are promoted to blue belt. In an inspiring milestone, sight-impaired student Andre Powell successfully earns his BJJ blue belt after fighting through a grueling 12-round adult sparring gauntlet—view the Simon & Andre presentation photo.

2010

Competitions (March): At the ISKA Tournament on March 14, Jake Farnsworth takes 2nd place after dominating his first two matches, and Ara wins two freestyle wrestling matches.

Adults & Kids Gradings (April): Peter Sardelich becomes the club's first BJJ brown belt. Kris Nubla receives his purple belt, and Shaun Galardi and Frank Gehret earn blue belts on April 26—view the April 2010 Grading Photo. A kids' grading follows shortly after.

Lineage Seminars (2010): The academy hosts technical seminars with top art pioneers. Students train at the March John Will Seminar, return on Saturday August 28 for the August John Will Seminar, attend the Richard Norton Seminar on October 16, complete part two on Saturday November 13 at the November John Will Seminar, and cap off the year at the Rigan Machado Black Belt Seminar.

Competitions (Mid-Year): Carlo Junker wins his division at the state Pankration titles. Robert Sabaruddin fights in a pro MMA match at Tuffa 6.

Competitions (September): Team Castle Hill dominates the Machado Nationals. View the 2010 Nationals Team Photo as Jake Farnsworth, Ara Aroutiounian, and Robert Sabaruddin all win 1st place in their divisions, while Andrew Fu secures 2nd place alongside Coach Simon.

Adults Grading (December): Guido Schultz and Chris Fletcher are awarded their blue belts. Coach Simon awards the club's first-ever MMA Black Belts to Luke Farnsworth and Robert Sabaruddin.

2011

Competitions (May): A massive medal haul at the ISKA tournament. Juniors Bobby Azimi (2nd), Zakky Azimi (3rd), Jake Farnsworth (2nd), and Michael Brown (4th) all place high against older, heavier opponents. Adults Lorando Thompson and Joey Agostino capture 1st place finishes. At the Events BJJ competition, Bobby Azimi and heavyweight Abdul Aboss win gold in their divisions.

Kids Grading (June): Junior practitioners Max, Connor, Thomas, Matthew, and Kai display exceptional wrestling to achieve their next colour belts.

Competitions (June): Robert Sabaruddin returns to Newcastle for Tuffa 10, completely dominating his professional MMA bout and securing a brilliant first-round victory via rear-naked choke.

Adults & Kids Grading (July): Robert Sabaruddin is promoted to BJJ purple belt on the mats. Juniors Zakky Azimi, Bobby Azimi, and Jake Brown all successfully advance to their next junior ranks.

Competitions (Late Year): At the ISJA World Cup, juniors Zakky Azimi and Jake Farnsworth are crowned World Cup Champions, while senior grapplers Peter Shua and Ara Aroutiounian win their respective adult championships. The year culminates at the Machado Nationals, where the team brings home 9 medals, including gold for Bobby Azimi, Zakky Azimi, Ara Aroutiounian, Robert Sabaruddin, and masters competitor Andrew Fu.

Adults Grading (October - December): Ara Aroutiounian is promoted to BJJ purple belt. In a massive milestone for the academy's striking lineage, Coach Simon is delighted to award an MMA Black Belt to Dave Ward on Monday 19th December, surrounded by the full team. The final end-of-year grading also sees Andre Powell achieve his BJJ purple belt, while Joey Agostino and Abdul Aboss wrap their hard-earned blue belts.

2012

World Championships (LA): Competitors Ara Aroutiounian and Robert Sabaruddin travel to Los Angeles to test their skills at the BJJ World Championships, capping off the campaign with a grueling training session with grappling legend Eddie Bravo—view the 10th Planet training photo.

Jean Jacques Machado Seminar: The academy hosts an unforgettable training event with coral belt legend Master Jean Jacques Machado—view the JJ Machado Seminar Photos.

Lineage Milestones: A historic day for our coaching lineage. Head Coach Simon Farnsworth receives his 1st-Degree BJJ Black Belt from Master Rigan Machado, while long-time mentor Anthony Lange is awarded his 3rd-Degree Black Belt—view the Black Belt Degrees presentation photo.

Kids & Adults Gradings (May & Nov): A two-day examination finishes on 7th May with 19 kids advancing—view the May Kids Photo. On 2nd November, another massive junior milestone is reached—view the November Kids Grading Photo. On the senior mats, Peter Shua earns his blue belt in May, and Dave Ward wraps up the year on 19th December by earning his MMA Black Belt.

2013

Adults BJJ Grading (24th June): A heavy winter testing session cycles new talent into the advanced ranks. Check out the June 2013 Grading Team Photo as technical standouts Kirk Sicard, Rhys Jack, and Daniel Mitchell successfully endure the sparring gauntlet to wrap their new BJJ blue belts.

2014

Half-Yearly Grading (1st July): Mid-year advancements push the technical standard up, with core team members Thomas Zarzecki and Lorando Thompson both earning their promotions to BJJ purple belt.

BJJ Grading (December): A truly monumental end-of-year grading packed with landmark milestones for the club. View the December 2014 Gallery Section as Luke Farnsworth is awarded his BJJ black belt, Kristen Nolan becomes the club's first-ever female blue belt, and Jake Farnsworth becomes the first kid to secure a junior black belt in our MMA syllabus. Dave Ward and Garry Jack step up to brown belt, Kirk Sicard and Leigh McWhirter achieve purple belt, while Dr Dave and Alex Chui earn blue belts.

2015

Adults Grading (December): Dave Ward and Kris Nubla are both proudly awarded their BJJ black belts—view the December 2015 Grading Photo. Thomas Zarzecki is promoted to brown belt. Rhys Jack and Guido Scholtz receive purple belts, while Jason Kurusumuthu and Nidin Pillai fight through the "shark tank" to earn their blue belts.

Our story continues every single week on the mats.

Want to follow our journey from 2015 through to today?

Read Our Recent History On Facebook →

Our Founding Motto

"Don't worry about being better than everyone else, instead just try to be better than yourself."