Kyoshi Brian Hayes has been teaching Chitokai Karate since 1983. He was graded to 7th Degree Black Belt by his instructor, Hanshi Ken Sakamoto, in Kumamoto in 2018. 

Sensei Hayes has won national titles in Arnis,  Koshiki karate and also as a NSW team member for 8 years at the  Australian Karate Federation national titles.

Competed in five Chito Ryu world titles, winning tournament Grand Champion in 2001 in Kumamoto Japan. 

Sensei Hayes is also a Silver level NCAS coach and  holds a Diploma  in Sports Coaching. 

Along with his wife, Shihan Sandy Hayes, he founded the Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centres, and is responsible as Chief Instructor for teacher training and grading standards at HVMAC dojos.

Sensei Hayes also holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in Matayoshi Kobudo, a Shodan in Iaido and a brown belt in Machado Brazilian Jiujitsu.

Shihan Sandy started Judo in a small town in British Columbia, Canada at the age of 11. She started karate in the 1980's at the age of 15. She was the only girl in the class. 

On the provincial team from 1986-1990 in Canada, and on the NSW state team 1992-1998. 

1986 Soke Cup - bronze in kata

1992 Soke Cup - bronze in kata and gold in team kumite 

Australian Karate Federation nationals - bronze in team kata 

Sensei Sandy is dedicated to empowering women and children in the community. She developed the Kindymites and Minimites programs, and the Fight Fit program. 

Sensei Anna began karate at the age of five in 2004 and attained her Fourth Degree Black Belt at age 26 in 2025. 

Sensei Anna joined the NSW state team, Australian Karate Federation, in 2015 at age 16 and placed first at her first National event that year in the Junior Kumite event. She continued competing in the state team for six years. 

Anna is also a Fourth Degree Black Belt in Matayoshi Kobudo, a Second Degree Black Belt in the Hunter Fight Fit program and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. 

Anna graduated a bachelor degree in Communications majoring in media production in 2021 and became HVMAC's media manager. She now owns HVMAC Warners Bay, Redhead and Maryland with sister-in-law Mel Hayes. 

Mel started working at HVMAC Warners Bay as program director in August 2006. 

Mel is business partners with father-in-law Kyoshi Hayes in Rock and Water Australia. Mel is a skilled business, marketing and events manager. 

Mel also works with husband Ben Hayes at his Newcastle based media company Eluminate. 

Sensei Kelie started karate in 2011 and attained her black belt in 2014. She attained her Sandan in 2022. 

Sensei Kelie is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (2023) and a black belt in Hunter Fight Fit (2014).

2017 Sydney champion in Australian Girls in Gi as a purple belt.

2nd place in National Machado Championships.

Bronze medalist in 2018 IFBJJ World Masters, top 50 IFBJJ rankings.

Sensei Kelie is our Head Coach for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre, which includes the Mat Rats kids BJJ program, and the Womens Only BJJ program. She also runs the Womens Empowerment program a few times a year. 

Sensei Willow started at HVMAC in 2023 and achieved her black belt in 2025. Willow began her Martial Arts journey at BBMA on the Central Coast and achieved a black belt there before moving closer to the Warners Bay area. Willow is in year 11 and is working towards her HSC and undergoing Tafe courses on top of that. She loves representing her school in all sports and is the sports captain, she also loves competing at ACKA tournaments. 

Sempai Christina is an advanced Fight Fit student and is studying a Bachelor of Education at the University of Newcastle.