INSTRUCTORS – grapplersgrove.com

Meet the grappler's grove instructors

Read more about Coach Eric

Grappler’s Grove is a proud affiliate of Infinum Brazilian Jiujitsu, owned and operated by Professor Eric Nease. Eric has been training martial arts for 20+ years. “He opened Infinum BJJ in 2015 with the hopes of spreading the benefits of jiu-jitsu, especially when he moved the business to Brantford in 2016.” (infinumbjj.com). At the black belt level, Eric’s accolades include:

Silver – 2025 Canadian Nationals Jiu Jitsu Tournament (Gi/ Purple-Black/Master 35+)
Gold – 2025 Grappling Industries BUFFALO (No Gi /Brown-Black/Master 30+)
Bronze – 2024 Next Gen Toronto (No-Gi /Black)
Silver – 2022 Godai Jiu Jitsu Open (Gi/Master 30+/Brown-Black)
Silver – 2022 ASG Open Toronto (No-Gi Elite)
Bronze – 2022 Submission Arts United Toronto (NoGi/Elite/Absolute)
Silver – 2021 ASG Open Toronto (NoGi/Advanced)

Read more about Coach Brayden

Grappler’s Grove is honoured to have Tillsonburg’s very own Brayden Ambo passing on his wrestling expertise to the next generation of athletes. Brayden first started wrestling in 2011 and has accumulated an incredibly impressive list of accolades including:

3-time Pan-American Championships athlete (2018, 2020, & 2022)
3-time Western University (UWO) Team Captain
4-time OUA Championship medalist (3x Bronze & 1x Silver)
5-time UWO First Colour Award winner
2021 UWO Purple Blanket Award winner
2-time Greco-Roman Senior Canadian Wrestling Championships silver medalist
Freestyle Senior Canadian Wrestling Championships bronze medalist
2nd place in 2020 Greco-Roman Olympic trials
2021 Olympic Games Team Canada Greco-Roman alternate

Read more about Coach Joel

Off the mats, Joel Stringer is the founder of FineLine Finishing which offers drywall and painting services to our local areas. On the mats, he is a talented instructor and fierce competitor with the following accomplishments:

Gold – 2025 Barrie Open Jiu Jitsu Invitational (NoGi/Purple)
Gold – 2025 Barrie Open Jiu Jitsu Invitational (Gi/Purple/Open Weight)
Silver – 2025 Barrie Open Jiu Jitsu Invitational (NoGI/Purple/Open Weight)
Gold – 2024 Great Lakes Jiu Jitsu Open (Gi/Blue)
Gold – 2024 Great Lakes Jiu Jitsu Open (NoGi/Blue)
Bronze – 2024 Great Lakes Jiu Jitsu Open (Gi/Blue/Open Weight)
Bronze – 2024 Grappling Industries Toronto (Gi/Blue)
Gold – 2023 Submission War 10 (White-Blue)

Read more about Coach John

For 2 decades, John Froese has served the Tillsonburg and surrounding communities with his family company, Froese Escavating. He is very excited to step into a new role in our community as a coach and mentor. John is an avid believer in the discipline and mental fortitude that grappling develops.

Read more about Coach Andrew

Andrew Leliveld serves the Tillsonburg and surrounding communities as a realtor. He has remained a passionate practitioner of martial arts for over a decade. Andrew has experience competing in wrestling, amateur MMA, and jujitsu.

Read more about Coach Logan

Logan Froese is one of the most active competitors we know with 52 Ontario Jiu-jitsu Association tournament wins across a short 2-year span. His resume includes:

Bronze – 2025 Ontario Open International Jiu Jitsu Championship – GI Edition (Gi/Blue)
Silver – 2025 Nextgen Niagara (NoGi/Blue)
Gold – 2024 Grappling Industries BUFFALO (NoGi/Blue)
Silver – 2024 The London Open (NoGi/Blue)
Silver – 2024 The London Open (Gi/Blue)
Silver – 2024 Windsor Open Jiu Jitsu Tournament (Gi/Blue)
Bronze – 2024 Windsor Open Jiu Jitsu Tournament (NoGi/Blue)
Silver – 2024 Submission War 13 NO GI (NoGi/White-Blue/Absolute)

Read more about Coach Keith

Keith Froese is a passionate jujitsu practitioner and gentleman of outstanding character. He looks forward to serving his community as a coach and mentor for many years to come.