BJMA Affiliated Club: Wickham Martial Arts Centre, Echuca VIC
My journey of martial arts started 1982 in Judo and taekwondo, then in 1986 a friend introduced me to Zen do Kai.
I started in Echuca under Rick Mawson at that time he was a Sensei. I went through the ranks normally until I went for my brown Belt, what I didn’t expect was an extra hard grading that day and then to be awarded my Black belt, huge surprise! Once obtaining my Black belt I had extra confidence and my Instructor’s belief in my ability that I opened a Dojo. It was only a small country area hall but it was the beginning of a lifetime journey.
Over the years I have been fortunate to be able to train with some of Australian best Martial Artists and even some from overseas. Nowadays my martial arts club is situated in that same small country town in Victoria (Echuca) Australia, but that hasn’t held me back from bringing some of the world’s best to the town. I feel that some people will never get a chance so I like to contribute by bringing them to my students. The exposure to top athletes and the way they train and think inspires my students and myself to do better but also the opportunity to think bigger.
Through my learning I have tried to emulate these top coaches to help me in my own coaching, this has helped develop my teaching knowledge. Over the years I have taught Martial Arts/self-defence to thousands of people and it has been very rewarding to see them reach their goals and even to see it further improve themselves in other areas of their lives. I am even today a great believer that Martial Arts will enhance your mind, body and spirit to making you a better person. You might only train for one year or for many, I have spoken to lots of people and if they had some experience in Martial Arts, it’s always been a positive experience that they have never regretted.
My goal is to teach my students all I know and help them to reach their full potential in Martial Arts and in their lives. I believe that Martial Arts teaches us a multitude of things, not just about ourselves but about people. Over the years I have done competitions in different Martial Arts such as Karate tournaments (sparring and forms), Iaido Tournaments (Japanese Sword) to nowadays I compete in BJJ national and internationally. Why do I do Competitions? Well, I get very stressed before I compete, even nowadays, so I try to face my fear and step out of my comfort zone to test myself under pressure, to test my skills and to help me become a better coach. As a coach, I try to lead by example as to show my students that it’s okay to have a go and whatever the outcome you’re going to come out better for it. As long as you have the right coaches giving you the right advice it can be a positive result.
Some advice to anyone starting Martial Arts, search for the right instructor and be respectful to them, and in turn, they will teach you all that they know. Be dedicated, even when you’re not motivated just turn up, you will not regret it. Last is a saying I like to quote “ you’re only as good as your last training session” so when you turn up, put your heart into it!
Some attributes you need on the way –
- work hard toward your goals
- be able to learn and listen to all and only keep what you believe will help you
- strive for perfection in every aspect of your training and in life!
Qualifications:
- 9th Degree BJMA Tara Miliata
- 8th Degree Zen Do Kai
- 7th Degree BJMA Kickboxing (Muay Thai)
- 6th Degree BJMA Fighting Fit
- 5th Degree BJMA Krav Maga
- Level 1, Black Belt Instructor BJMA Eskrima
- Brown Belt -Instructor, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ( 2017)
- 5 Kyu, Settei Iaido – Australian Kendo Remnei Association, (Japanese Swordsmanship)
- Cage Fitness Instructor 2013
- Level 2 First Aid
- Licensed Trainer
- Licensed Judge and referee
- Approval for Prohibited Weapons Vic 696-311-20W
- Working with Children check
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