Aaron Ireland

Aaron began training at John Zahra’s Shaolin Martial Arts Academy in 1986, attaining the rank of junior black belt in 1989. This set a foundation which was refined when he started at Freestyle Combat Australia, training with Sensei Robert Reid. In 2009, Aaron began training under the direct guidance of Kancho Mick Nicholls, Aaron attained the rank of Level 1 Master Instructor (fifth degree black belt) in 2024. 

In 2013 Aaron formed Freestyle Combat Diamond Valley. After spending the first year teaching out of Elite Dance Studio in Eltham, the school was moved to Integrity Martial Arts Academy in 2014, and in 2016 was moved to its own fixed location in Greensborough called Diamond Valley Martial Arts Academy. As well as teaching, Aaron has continued in his own training under the tutelage of Kancho Mick, an has been learning KFM, DefenceLab, Urban Street Defence, Silat Suffian Bela Diri, Floro Fighting Systems, Kalis Ilustrisimo, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Taboada Balintawak Cuentada Arnis, Pekiti Tirsia Kali, Marcaida Kali and Silat Domas. Drawing on his diverse martial training and influenced greatly by Kuya Doug Marcaida's "thought provoking method", Aaron’s strength is helping others to not only learn a set of techniques, but have an understanding the underlying principles that make them work, focusing on structure, timing and precision. 

Aaron also carries all relevant insurance and certifications including a working with children card, first aid level 2 and level 1 national coaching accreditation.