HVMAC Waratah Martial Arts School

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 Abi started karate in 1999. She attained her 4th degree black belt in 2019 and 2nd degree black belt in Matayoshi Kobudo in 2022. She has been teaching Martial Arts at HVMAC since 2006 and specifically at Waratah dojo since it opened in 2014, is NCAS Bronze level coaching accredited and has her Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness (Martial Arts specific). 

Sempai Sha is a 1st kyu in Chitokai Karate. She is program director at Waratah and is Sensei Abi's lovely mum. 

Sensei Ella began karate at the age of 10 in 2016 and graded to her Nidan (second degree black belt) in 2024. Ella was awarded Budoka of the Year (Waratah) in 2024 and is currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at the University of Newcastle.

Louise started karate in 2016 and achieved her Nidan (second degree black belt) in 2023. Louise enjoys the Xtreme program and is currently working towards a Diploma in Early Education.

Sensei Lara began karate at the age of 7 in 2017 and achieved her Nidan (second degree black belt) in 2025. Lara was awarded Budoka of the Year (Waratah) in 2023 and Competitor of the year (waratah) in 2024. Lara enjoys competing in Kata, Kumite and Kobudo.

Sensei Lucinda started karate in 2014 at the age of 5 and achieved her Nidan (second degree black belt) in 2024. Lucinda is doing her HSC in 2026.

Sensei Zach began his karate journey at the age of 4 in 2014 and achieved his Senior Nidan in 2025. He enjoys participating in the Competition Kata Squad Training, as well as training in Okinawan Kobudo. 

Sensei Matthew began karate at age 4 in Kindymites in 2016 and achieved his Junior Shodan rank in 2025. He enjoys competing regularly at ACKA tournaments.