ABOUT OUR ACADEMY
The Kalgoorlie Karate Academy was formally established in 2020 by Matt and Susan Edwards after they saw a demand for a family-orientated martial arts school that delivered practical, realistic, and self-defence based training in a traditional karate environment for kids and adults. The Kalgoorlie Karate Academy teaches Matsubayashi-ryu Karate (松林流). The characters Ko-shi Kai (鋼志会) mean 'iron-willed' and represent the Academy's determination to preserve traditional karate and kobudo, and to build our student's fortitude and resilience in the face of adversity.
The Kalgoorlie Karate Academy's crest draws its inspiration from its home in Western Australia's Goldfields, an inhospitable region with a harsh climate home to a sizeable part of Australia's mining industry. The crest's colours represent gold and nickel - two metals mined in the region and vital to sustaining the area. Blue represents the clear sky and openness to learning.
A LITTLE MORE ABOUT US...
The Kalgoorlie Karate Academy is founded on the principles of old-style karate that pre-dates modern sports karate, and traces its lineage to Okinawa, Japan, the birthplace of karate.
The Academy teaches the Okinawan style of Matsubayashi-ryu (Shorin-ryu) Karatedo, founded by Osensei Shoshin Nagamine in 1947. The karate we teach can be traced back to some of Okinawa's earliest karate masters. To us, karate is not a sport; it is a way of life.
The Kalgoorlie Karate Academy is an official member of the Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Association of Australia, and the Australasian Federation of Traditional Karate and Kobudo, a national body representing associations and dojos throughout the Australasian region.
Our lineage is as follows Sokon Matsumura / Kosaku Matsumora > Chotoku Kyan / Choki Motobu / Ankichi Arakaki > Shoshin Nagamine > Takayoshi Nagamine / Toshimitsu Arakaki > John Carlyle > Kalgoorlie Karate Academy.
WHAT WE OFFER
SENSEI MATT EDWARDS
Head Instructor
Achievements:
- Began training in 1999
- Black belt certified in three karate styles and also in Taekwondo
- Certified Practising Traditional Karate Instructor (AFTK 00015)
- 2nd place National All Styles Senior Weaponry (2006)
- 2nd place Open Forms, Open Weaponry, 3rd place Open Male Continuous Sparring Full Contact - Albany Open Interclub Tournament (2007)
SENSEI SUSAN EDWARDS
Head Instructor
Achievements:
- Began training in 2001
- Trained in three karate styles as well as Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu
- Qualified Early Childcare Educator
- Working with Children with Special Needs (RUCSN)
- Childcare and Education First Aid (HLTAID004)
- 2nd place Female Senior Intermediate Sparring, 1st place Senior Intermediate Female Open Weaponry - Albany Open Interclub Tournament (2007)
ABOUT OUR INSTRUCTORS
Sensei Matt and Sensei Susan are the joint head instructors and act as the dynamic husband-wife duo.
They bring together over 40 years' of collective experience, and each embody the principle of family-orientated training.
While their passion brings together both instructors for teaching traditional karate, both Sensei Matt and Sensei Susan can utilise their qualifications and experience to bring unique approaches to their training delivery that gives students a unique training experience.
Our Head Instructors have:
- Current Working With Children Checks
- Appropriate Insurances
- First Aid Qualifications
- Authentic and recognised black belt grades
- Experience in competition
The Kalgooorlie Karate Academy is committed to ensuring our instructors are well qualified and utilise the Australasian Federation of Traditional Karate and Kobudo's Instructor Certification Program to work towards establishing a professional benchmark for traditional karate instructors in Australasia.
Senior Guest Instructors
In addition to our resident Head Instructors, the Kalgoorlie Karate Academy regularly hosts many senior visiting guest instructors, including Sensei John Carlyle (Renshi, 6th Dan, Chief Instructor of Matsubayashi-ryu Australia), and Sensei Reece Cummings (Kancho, 4th Dan, Head Instructor of Matsubayashi-ryu Canberra), who have both directly learnt from Soke Takayoshi Nagamine (Hanshisei, 10th Dan) and Sensei Toshimitsu Arakaki (Hanshi, 10th Dan) in Okinawa, Japan.
OUR ACADEMY'S FULLY-DEDICATED FACILITY
The Kalgoorlie Karate Academy is situated in a fully-dedicated dojo, offering an outstanding experience for all students.
