Andrew Cheung is a Sifu (master) of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Sifu Cheung is a lifelong practitioner training under the tutelage of his father Grand Master William Cheung. Sifu Chief Instructor at Cheungs Wing Chun Academy and at his young age has delivered traditional Wing Chun training to thousands of practitioners in Australia and international. Sifu Andrew Cheung leads the next generation of Wing Chun training with strength, commitment and dedication to this important and significant martial arts system. Sifu Andrew Cheung conducts workshops to enthusiasts all around the globe and is sought after as an expert in his field, and with experience in teaching private groups, school groups and women's self defence, is it any wonder that the popularity of the effective art of Wing Chun is alive and growing around the world. Wing Chun Melbourne; Martial arts Melbourne; kung fu Melbourne;
Glen Gibbons is a 7th Dan in Karate Shihan Glen Gibbons is a career martial artist who has been providing quality martial arts in Australia's Capital City, Canberra. Shihan Glen began training in martial arts in 1982 and began his Kyokushin journey in 1986. It wasn't long before he knew he wanted to make his passion a larger part of his life. Canberra Martial Arts has been a leading dojo in the region for close to 20 years. During this time many thousands of students has passed through its doors with many going on to achieve black belt and achieve national recognition in the various competition circuits supported and directed by Shihan Gibbons. Shihan Gibbons has a philosophy of training where he believes strong karate is the way to a more fulfilled life and as a consequence, he has been changing the lives of many Canberra practitioners lives for the better and has plans to carry this through for many years to come.
Grant Banister is Founder and Chief Instructor of Bukido Karate. Shidoshi Grant Bannister (shidoshi meaning, stable and independant leader) started his training in Martial Arts in 1974 under the San Chi Kai Karate group led by Shihan Mal Lomax. Shidoshi Grant has spent most of his adult life teaching karate for the benefit of his students of which many have gone on to earn their own successes in Australia and Internationally. Shidoshi Grant Bannister is responsible for changing the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of students through his heartful and articulate approach to martial arts. Grant believes in the profound effect that a well balance martial arts program has on the community when taught correctly. Shidoshi Grant Bannister has spent most of his career fefining what he considers to be his most important students, children! Grant knows that when when a child learns the value of respect for others, and committing to healthy practices early in life, their lives will be on track early and the best possible life changes are in motion. As a master of the traditional aspects of Karate and Kobudo (weapons) Shidoshi Grant bannister is able to deliver the best martial arts training around and possibly the best childrens program in the industry. Bukido Karate is located in Lilydale, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Amelia Zarb is a 4th Dan Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. Dai Shihan Amelia is a senior martial arts coach who has dedicated most of her adult life to providing traditional and, professional martial arts progrms to her community via her business "The Arts of Defence" which she runs with her husband, renown karate-ka Shihan David Zarb. Dai Shihan Amelia has travelled the world many times over the years to gain the knowledge and affiliations to ensure her students are given the best credentials available. . Dai Shihan Amelia and Shihan David have both notched up an impressive number of years 30 in fact, dedicating their lives to teaching martial arts and changing the lives of many thousands of students that attend their sessions in Sunbury and bacchaus Marsh in Victoria. Traditional martial arts that emphasise human values is important for Dai Shihan Amelia, her training in Tai Chi Chuan (an internal Chinese martial arts practiced for defence, health and meditation) reflects her passion for the wholistic benefits that martial arts bring. Dai Shihan Amelia believes in the theraputic benefits that her martial art brings to individual clients and communites, and she is able to eloquently blend a mix of the hard and the soft techniques of martial arts to create a balance that only few understand. The strong following and longevity in the martial arts that Shihan Dai Amelia has gained over the years is clear testament to her popularity as a teacher and mentor. Dai Shihan Amelia believes the martial arts to be a life changing programand, and also believes it should be taught via professional coaches. Dai Shihan Amelia advocates ongoing professional development for martial arts practitioners and has been responsible for helping many of her student gain nationally recignised and industry recognised qualifications. She believes that we all have a responsibility to train our young correctly to prepare them for the modern world of coaching, and eventually a career path, just like she has enjoyed.
Richie Ivory is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and accomplished MMA coach Richie Ivory began his martial arts training at an early age, his father supported his efforts and encouraged the young athlete as he competed in Irish and European Championships in Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. In 2005 Richie deided to expand his knowledge and left for Australia where he continued his Brazilian jiu jitsu training under the Ben Hall / Carlson Gracie BJJ Academy. It wasnt long before Richie was noticed as he began to make a strong impact in the local BJJ and MMA competitions. Richie was offered a job to manage the Bendigo Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Bendigo Central Victoria where he drew a large number of students, many of whom went on to chalk up some significant wins in the tournament circuits. Richie himself entered some of Australia's most significant MMA circuits and became a local celebrity amongst enthusiasts. Richie Ivory is not just a champion fighter he is also a family man who needed to move his Irish family back home and continue down his chosen path of teaching martial arts. Richie Ivory opened his school in Gorey County Wexford, and it has grown ever since. His wealth of knowledge and compassion for his students have made him a well sought after coach on two continents. Richie Ivory believes in ethical and professional practices in martial arts, and is an advocate for child safety and positive physical and mental development through martial arts. Richie has a variety of titles in Brazilian jiu Jitsu and muay thai and competes at a professional level in MMA. Richie has already trained a very strong stable of fighters in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, many going on to compete well in regional and state titles. Richie operates the Richi Ivory Jiu Jitsu Academy in Ireland where he has already gained a great following that includes junior and senior students.
Damien Martin is kaicho (Chief Instructor) at Southern Cross Martial Arts. Damien has been training in the martial arts for over 30 years having initially commenced training in Judo in 1982 and then Karate in 1984. Over the past 30+ years he has extended his interest in and explored the history and practices of a variety of martial arts; modern and traditional. Damien has worked extensively with kids and young people both in and out of the Dojo. He started his registered Kidz Karate classes in the 1980’s and has spent decades researching, studying and improving the results. He has extensive qualifications in psychology, education, OH&S and risk management, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Autism Studies from Griffith University. Damien still works regularly teaching martial arts to kids, some of whom have trained with him for over 25 years (obviously they are not kids any more). Continuing his interest in all aspects of the martial arts he has researched and implemented many traditional aspects into his training, holding a 7th dan in Goki-Kai Karate, a 6th dan in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate, a 2nd dan in Ryukyu Kobudo, a 5th Khan in Muay Thai and is a 4th kyu Kudo Sempai and hold a Green Glove rank in Savate. Damien continues his own study and practice and regularly travels to Okinawa to train with his Sensei, Masaji Taira, Hanshi 9th dan, of the Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenkyukai; as well as in Kobudo with his Sensei Satoshi Kinjo, Kyoshi 7th dan, of the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozonkai. He also trains in China in MingHe Quan (Singing Crane Boxing), a precursor art to modern Goju Ryu, with Master Yu Dan Xiu. Damien is a recognised branch of MingHe Quan and one of very few Westerners practising the art. Damien was inducted into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame for services to the Martial Arts in 2005. Damien founded Goki-Kai Karate in 2008 when he started Southern Cross Martial Arts. Damien is also the co-founder of the Australian branch of the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozonkai group under the auspices of the Kinjo family in Okinawa. Damien worked in the security industry for over 20 years where he was constantly exposed to some of the seedier and more violent characters in our society; an environment where techniques, tactics and training methods had to work! He has been lucky enough to travel the world with his work and has trained extensively in the US and the UK; he has also trained extensively in karate and Kobudo in Okinawa, the birthplace of karate; as well as researched the roots of Karate in Fuzhou, China. Through his experience running an internationally recognised Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Damien is considered to be a pioneer and expert in scenario based self defence training and has been developing and delivering this training within the national training system for over two decades. Damien is highly qualified in the martial arts and associated fields and holds instructor qualifications in Muay Thai Kickboxing and Docé Pares Eskrima; holds ranks in Judo, Kudo, Savate, and la Canne de Combat; and is a member of a number of internationally recognised martial arts organisations including the MingHe Quan Research Group and the Okinawa Goju Ryu Kenkyukai. Damien continues to compete on a National level in kata and weapons kata. He no longer competes in sparring events due to recurrent injuries. Damien is a published author, having co-written a book on firearms and defensive tactics, as well as authoring a number of industry journal articles as a subject matter expert on use-of-force, restraint, restraint related deaths and, of course, martial arts. These articles have been published in Blitz Australasian Martial Arts Magazine, Okinawa Karate News, Australian Hospital and Healthcare Bulletin, and Security Oz Magazine. Damien is also the course developer for the increasingly popular Martial Arts & Autism course, being delivered across Australia.