Nick Bilton is one of the most promising young grapplers on the Australian no-gi BJJ scene, and at just 22 years old he is already making a name for himself far beyond Sydney. Originally from Canberra, Nick has been training Brazilian jiu-jitsu for nearly a decade — picking up the sport young and developing into one of the sharpest no-gi BJJ specialists in the country under the roof of Academy 411 in Rosebery, Sydney.
Having been coached by Academy 411 head no-gi coach Raphael Bardi since he was a kid, Nick is a product of the system he now teaches in. That continuity shows on the mat — his technique, his approach to training, and his competitive mindset are a direct reflection of the standards that have been set at Academy 411 since day one.
Nick holds an impressive 5-1 record on Subversion Invitational, one of Australia’s premier professional grappling promotions. For context, Subversion Invitational is not a local tournament — it is where Australia’s best no-gi BJJ competitors come to settle scores in front of a live audience. A 5-1 record on that platform at 22 years old is a serious achievement, and it reflects the level of no-gi BJJ that Nick brings to the Academy 411 mat every session.
With international competitions now in his sights, Nick is at the stage of his career where his best performances are still ahead of him — and the students training BJJ in Sydney with him today are getting a front row seat to that development.
Nick coaches adults, kids, and toddler classes at Academy 411. His patience and calm teaching style make him particularly effective with younger students — he has a natural ability to break down complex jiu-jitsu concepts into something accessible without dumbing it down.
For parents searching for jiu-jitsu near me or kids BJJ classes in Sydney, Nick’s sessions offer something rare: a coach who is genuinely elite at the sport and genuinely great with children. That combination is hard to find at any BJJ gym in Sydney.
Whether you are an adult looking for no-gi BJJ in Sydney or a parent bringing your child to their first jiu-jitsu class, Nick’s approach is the same — patient, methodical, and focused on building real technique from the ground up. He does not rush students, he does not skip steps, and he leads by example with a competitive record that speaks for itself.
At 22, with nearly ten years of training behind him and a 5-1 professional record, Nick Bilton is exactly the kind of coach you want in your corner — and Academy 411 is exactly the kind of gym you want to find when you’re searching for jiu-jitsu near you in Sydney.
Nick winning the black belt division as a purple belt in his weight category at a recent Grappling industries competition in Sydney.
Nick, coached by Raph, in the quarter-finals of the 2023 ADCC trials hosted in Singapore.
Nick assisting the teens class with coach Chris at Academy 411
Nick with his 2nd Superfight win of 2023 at Subversion Acension
EXCELLENT Based on 117 reviews Posted on Matthew Klein2 June 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommend Academy411 for any level of BJJ training. They offer world class training from beginner to the most advanced with extremely decorated and technical coaches. Their support for beginners is unparalleled and the welcoming atmosphere is extremely unique to their facility. Any level of experience will be welcomed with open arms and the expertise they offer is unlike any other gym in Sydney. Thank you guys!Posted on M P23 May 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great training partners, great facilities, great culture, great teaching approach. Easily best gym in SydneyPosted on Cameron Jones2 May 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Incredible academy. Highly recommend this gym. None of the cultish or autocratic behaviour of some other bjj gyms. High level, and always teaching the meta of current grappling combined with great fundamentals. Some Of the best coaches available in Aus. Couldn’t be happier to be training here in Sydney.Posted on Alberto Mangas7 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This gym is amazing, and so are the coaches. The level of detail on the techniques really make a difference, and so does the great atmosphere at the academy 💪🏻 Would recommend to anyone that’s looking for a place to train in SydneyPosted on Steven Milogiannakis4 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Four Eleven is sick! They have both great gi and no gi coaches. They watch your rolls and give you feedback. They support you at competitions and genuinely care about you. Happy to have trained here.Posted on Jonathon M1 April 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I joined Academy 411 last year having never tried Jiu jitsu before, the owners/staff immediately made me feel at home and comfortable.The gym is one of the most welcoming environments I’ve ever had the pleasure of being apart of and 411 feels like a family. On top of that the coaches are constantly adapting techniques/game-plans to be on top of the constantly evolving sport that modern jiu jitsu has become allowing members to evolve with the sport and constantly up their game. 10/10 would recommend also neurodivergent friendly 😎Posted on Maab18 March 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Academy 411 has been an incredible addition to my jits routine. They offer a "Traitor Membership," which is perfect for those who already train elsewhere but want to supplement their training with quality sessions (me). The gym facilities itself are top-tier with great matspace, an aesthetic vibe and some of the cleanest bathrooms I’ve seen at a jits gym. There’s a strong competition focus with a diverse range of athletes, from hobbyists to serious competitors, making every session a great mix of technical work and hard rounds. Also super nice and friendly peeps. I train both gi and nogi here, and both programs are solid, with a good balance of instruction and intensity. An excellent place to train. Highly recommend for anyone looking to cross-train!Posted on Kogar Cetinich15 March 2025Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you’re in the area and looking for somewhere to train, check out Academy 411. Great coaching and instruction for all levels with a welcoming environment.