Nick Noordink is a 3rd Dan in Karate. Sensei Nick is a well known and highly respected martial arts teacher from Brisbane Australia. Sensei Nick began his martial arts journey in early 2000 and after grading for Shodan (1st Dan) he decided to make karate an even bigger part of his life by teaching and becoming involved in the largest tournament circuit in Australia, the National All Styles – NAS. Sensei Nick’s approach to training clearly reflects tradition, hard work, and integrity. Sensei Nick is a highly proficient martial artist who believes that when teaching is grounded and systemised you have a much greater chance of establishing success with students and as a result have a program rich in providing positive community values. In Sensei Nick’s own words – “We strive to create an environment that supports parents and helps children to grow and develop their character. We encourage families to train together, saving precious time. A safe and enjoyable atmosphere, where everyone is welcome.” It is well documented how Karate trains the body and the mind and provides tools for life! At Sensei Nick’s Dojo “Bonsai Karate” he has established programs that reach out to all members of the community, from classes for children all the way to older adults, and raw beginners to high performance, Bonsai Karate has it all. All of Nick’s gradings have been conducted under the highest scrutiny via the Kenshinkan International Karate Organisation directed by Australian Budo Karate legend Shihan Jim Casey. Bonsai Karate is situated in Albany Creek, which is a suburb of the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland.

Ben Hall is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the Head Instructor of the Carlson Gracie Team in Australia. Ben has had a robust career in physical activities, from champion body builder, to Karate and eventually Brazilian jiu Jitsu. Ben adapted and loved the art so much that he took the time to go to the source of Brazilian jiu Jitsu - Brazil. Many years of dedicated training resulted in him being awarded his brown belt by the founder and late Grandmaster Carlson Gracie Sr. Later in 2007 he would be awarded his black belt by Carlson Gracie Jr. It was during one of his many training trips to the original Carlson Gracie Academy in Copacabana, Brazil, that Ben was asked to officially represent the Carlson Gracie Team in Australia. Ben has enjoyed a long history of competition throughout the world, finding success success as a competitor at State, National and International competitions as well as competing with the best Jiu-Jitsu athletes in the world at the Mundial (World) Championships in Brazil. Ben’s knowledge and success as a competitor coupled with his dual diplomas in Sports Coaching and Sports Development ensure a progressive, safe and detailed style of teaching and learning. It was this experienced background that saw Ben being approached to take up a position with the Australian College of Sports Development as a Training Consultant, training people to be coaches & PTs & becoming leaders in the fitness industry. This also allowed Ben to up-skill his students and Assistant Instructors to ensure the future of the Carlson Gracie Team is in safe and fully qualified hands. Ben Hall is dedicated to the development of his students not just here in Australia, but his international network of affiliates. Ben has earned a reputation of being an instructor who passes on his art in its purest form, ensuring his students are well equipped to stand up to any equivalent ranked practitioners in the world. Ben’s friendly personality and his focussed approach to training ensures that his BJJ mats are always full and his students are happy.

Pania Casey is a 5th Dan in Karate Shihan Pania Casey is one of Australia's most accomplished martial artists. As a competitor, Pania has dominated the Australian martial arts tournament circuit ever since she was a junior student. , her swag of gold medals and trophies continues to grow as she makes her mark on the Australian tournament circuits. Shihan Pania is privileged to have grown up in a martial arts family where health and fitness is the norm. It was under the influence of her father Jim Casey and mother Virginia Casey that has given her the opportunity to go from strength to strength in all areas of her life. Pania's expertise now extends way beyond her martial arts career. As a massage and reiki therapist, she has dedicated her life to health, and fitness, physical and spiritual healing, truly a very rare combination for any health and fitness practitioner to achieve due to the untold number of hours required to achieve the skills. Pania holds a Certificate IV in both Sport Coaching and Fitness, . It is rare for women to rise through the martial arts ranks to achieve the 5th Dan Shihan Ranks. Pania is one of those rare individuals who live by the Budo karate spirit of continuous improvement and has become the perfect role model for most of her male and female students and clients. Pania Energy is appropriately named and is one of the Gold Coasts most recommended programs. #Burleigh Heads #Gold Coast. #Queensland #Kenshinkan Karate # Full Contact Karate #Fitness

Kaicho Narker is the Chief Instructor and Director of Ashihara Karate South Africa and the Ashihara Karate International Organisation. Kaicho Narkers’ experience, expertise and training history positions him well as a world authority in his unique and effective martial art style. It comes as no surprise to the international martial arts fraternity Kaicho Narker is now such a prominent figure in the world of martial arts. The technical ability, historical knowledge combined with a rare modern scientific approach to training places him as a world leader in karate. Hoosain Narker began his training at a young age and drew extensive knowledge from several martial art styles including Kyokushinkai, Shukokai and Taekwondo. Ashihara Karate is a modern style, with a new and dynamic approach to training. Although modern, it retains the positive aspects of traditional karate, such as Kata and Kihon and of course, discipline. The Kata’s are all fighting oriented and more importantly, functional. Kaicho Hoosain Narker is a man who has changed the lives of many thousands of practitioners around the globe, his passion for the benefits that traditional karate brings as well as his influence, leadership and guidance will ensure the Ashihara style will continue to have a positive influence on many lives for years to come.

Paul Mracek is an 8th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, Taekwonjitsu as well as an International Coach – Defensive Tactics and Open Circle Fighting Method and a Reiki Master Teacher. Paul holds qualifications in Meditation, Mindfulness, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Bowen Therapy, Sports & Recreation, Training & Assessing and Coaching. He has developed defensive tactics syllabus for the Security Industry since 2011 for nationally accredited courses for thousands of students; as well training and assessing industry instructors. In addition, he is the head instructor at Nutaofit Martial Arts Academy since 2016, continuing the tradition of servicing the local community in the Bayside suburbs of Melbourne since 1985. Paul is a seasoned international CEO with qualifications in Engineering, Management, Business and Statistics running his own international consultancy and coaching company from 2007. He has also been an active advisor on training, education, and industry policy to both Government and academic institutions through senior roles with a number of iconic global companies. He continues with researching core teachings on pressure points and martial arts principles and integrating them into his syllabus and teachings to students.

Eric Hiep Phan is a 4th DAN Kukkiwon Black belt in Taekwondo. Eric is the owner and head instructor at VTEAM Taekwondo in Maidstone and Springvale in Melbourne. Eric started Martial Arts training in the early 1990s and earned his first Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo back in 1997. Sooner than later, the hobby turned into his way of life. Now, more than 20 years later, his passion for Taekwondo has only strengthened. Eric has competed and medaled at States, Nationals, and International competitions in Poomsae (pattern), Sparring and Power breaking. Having produced several national medalists, his passion is helping people reach their potential. Eric is actively involved in training himself and prides himself on staying up-to-date on the most current techniques and strategies as they relate to Martial Arts. For Eric, it’s about keeping things fresh, helping people reach their goals, and delivering life-enhancing results for everyone who steps through the door at VTEAM Taekwondo. #VTeam Melbourne #VTeam Maidstone #VTeam Springvale