INSTRUCTORS

Shihan Peter Kirkwood
5th Degree         
Master Instructor (Kaizen Ryu)

Started training in Martial Arts in 1985 within the ZEN-DO-KAI system and remained training with them for 8 years reaching the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt.
In 1993 myself and a partner began KAIZEN RYU Freestyle Karate within the Hunter Valley, Central Coast and Sydney areas. I became the Head Instructor for K.R.F. in1995 as well as opening a full time Hombu in Maitland (Hunter Valley) on October of that year as well. Since then I have produced in excess of 130 Black Belts and at present looking to building a Full Time centre to be completed by May 2010.
Over the years I have been involved in the Martial Arts industry I have trained with some of the world best Karate, Arnis and Ju-Jitsu instructors, often travelling over seas to attend seminars and training sections.

Some of my personal achievements are listed below.

Martial Arts Grading
1st Degree Black Belt in    B.J.C. Arnis
3rd Degree Black Belt in    Zen-Do-Kai
5th Degree Black Belt in    Kaizen Ryu

Personal Achievements
Black Belt of the Year, 1991 & 1992
Security Guard
Personal Body Guard
I.S.K.A. Level 4 Referee
2002 Samurai Title Renshi (Expert)
2004 I.S.K.A “Karate Instructor of the Year”
2005 B.E.C. Recreation “Business of the Year Award”
2005 I.S.K.A “N.S.W. Referee of the YEAR”
2006 B.E.C. Recreation “Business of the Year Award”
2007 I.S.K.A. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Award
2007 Rated 5th in U.S. OPEN (Creative Forms)
2008 Samurai Title of “SHIHAN” (Master)

Sensei Bryan MAHER
4th Degree
Head Instructor (Maitland)
Bryan began his training within Zen-Do-Kai in1992 and reached the level of Brown Belt, Bryan has kept training and know holds a 4th Degree Black Belt in Kaizen Ryu. Being the Head Instructor of the Hombu, Bryan has a very pleasurable and unique way of teaching specializing in Locks and Holds from Hapkido and Arnis. Bryan has also trained in Ikido Sword work

Personal Achievements
1994 Bushido Cross
2000 Received the rank of Sensei
2000 Received the Choki Kenshin Ring for dedicated service
2008 GOLD Bushido Cross

Sensei Jonathan GLEESON
4th Degree
Head Instructor (Sydney)
Starting his training in 1992 Jonathan is the longest constant student every within the system. He has continually been training without ever having a break since the day he started. Jonathan has reached the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt and is the Head Instructor of the Sydney Dojo’s.

Personal Achievements
2001 Bushido Cross
2002 Travelled to Thailand Maui Thai training
2004 Received the Choki Kenshin Ring for dedicated service
2007 Travelled to China training in Kung Fu
2008 Received the rank of Sensei
2008 GOLD Bushido Cross

Dai-Sempai Craig Green
3rd Degree
Instructor (Maitland)
Craig has trained off and on since 1987. Reaching the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt Craig has been involved in Kickboxing as well as Karate through the years. Focus Pads and Kicking shields are a specialty of Craig’s.

Personal Achievements
1993 Bushido Cross
1998 Received the rank of Dai Sempai
2003 Received the Choki Kenshin Ring for dedicated service

Dai-Sempai Alona Kelly
3rd Degree
Instructor (Maitland & Port Stephens)
Alona started off doing KICK-N-FIT Kickboxing in 1995 and then changed over to Kaizen Ryu in 1997. She instructs in both the Hombu and Port Stephen teaching the children as well as the adults. Alona has also trained in Arnis as well.

Personal Achievements
2000 Bushido Cross
2005 Received the rank of Dai Sempai
2007 Received the Choki Kenshin Ring for dedicated service

Dai-Sempai Anthony Kidd
3rd Degree
Instructor (Maitland)
April 1999 sore Anthony begin his Kaizen Ryu training. He trains hard and has a strong believe in fitness. In 2007 Anthony received his 3rd Degree Black Belt and loves nothing better that to put the students that a good fitness program. As other Instructors have done Anthony has attended Arnis training as well.

Personal Achievements
2001 Bushido Cross
2005 Received the rank of Dai Sempai
2007 Received the Choki Kenshin Ring for dedicated service

Dai-Sempai Tony Huges
3rd Degree
Instructor (Maitland & Port Stephens)
Tony has trained since 2000 and has shown to all students what can be achieved even when the odds are against you. Technical training is a big part of his teaching specializing in the Bastons and Knife Defence from Arnis. Tony teaches at both the Hombu as well as Port Stephens Dojo.

Personal Achievements
2003 Bushido Cross
2008 Received the rank of Dai Sempai

Lloyde Mcletchie
3rd Degree
Instructor (Maitalnd)
Lloyd travelled to the U.S. OPEN in 2007 and competed strongly in the point Sparring divison.
After starting training in 1999 Lloyd now has a passion to teach Point and Contact Sparring.

Personal Achievements
2004 Bushido Cross

Sempai David Kirkwood
2nd Degree
Started Training 1992
Sempai Rank 2006
Specializing in Mixed Martial Arts (2010)

Sempai Alex Kirkwood
2nd Degree
Started Training 1997
Sempai Rank 2010
Specializing in Extreme Martial Arts

Shane Heley
2nd Degree
Started Training 2001
Specializing in Mixed Martial Arts (2010)

1st Degree Black Belts -

Sempai Olivia Lui
Nigel Moore

Black Belts -

Chris Ranse - Head Instructor Port Stephens
Kenny Curtis
Brett Campbell
Darren Jones
Linda-Lea Gruber
Cristine Hopkin

Jr Black Belt -

Josh Mungoven
Liam Rance