Address: 3D/321 Hillsborough Rd,
Warners Bay NSW 2282
Phone: (02) 4956 8876
The Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre headquarters at Warners Bay was established in 1989 by Kyoshi Brian Hayes and Shihan Sandy Hayes, one of the first full-time martial arts centres in the region. The Warners Bay centre is also the headquarters of the Australian Chitokai Karate Association. Sensei Anna Hayes and Mel Hayes took on the business in July 2023. The centre is still the training home of Chief Instructor Kyoshi Hayes and all Shihan and Shidoin (senior black belts). Classes tailored for all ages and abilities are held every day, as well as Okinawan traditional weaponry, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Hunter Fight Fit (Muay Thai kickboxing). Our instructors encourage character development and resilience through evidence based curriculum and there is a strong emphasis on wellbeing.
We also have an extensive Pro-Shop so that our students and members of the public as well as instructors and students from other local martial arts schools can buy their martial arts equipment locally. We have staff at the front desk and shop from 11am to 7pm on weekdays and 9am to 12pm on Saturdays.Â
 Age specific classes include:
Kinder Kicks – Jumping Joeys (18 months-3 years)
Minimites (3-4 years)
Kindymites (5-6 years)
Dynamites (6-9 years)
Dragons (9-14 years)
Adults (14+ years)
Wise Warriors (55+ yrs)
We also have Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from as young as 3 yrs, Matayoshi Kobudo (Weapons) from 6 yrs and Xtreme performance martial arts for children and adults from 6 yrs.
For those looking for some extra fitness, there is our fantastic Fight Fit program which combines fitness kickboxing and effective self defence in a dynamic workout from as young as 6 yrs.
Come down and see our friendly staff and join our martial arts family today!
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.
Shihan Ashley McKellar, a fourth degree black belt, has trained in Chitokai karate since his early teen years. He has travelled the world studying martial arts, spending a year at a Shaolin temple, training in Capoeira in Brazil and Tai Chi in Ireland. Shihan Ash has travelled to Kumamoto with Kyoshi Hayes multiple times to study with the Technical Director of Chitokai, Sakamoto Sensei.
Shihan Ash was lost at sea in 2023. We will always remember his dedication, integrity, humility, and generosity. His contributions to Ryusei Chitokai Karate live on in our memories of him.
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 Anna began karate at the age of five in 2004 and attained her Third Degree Black Belt at age 20 in 2019.
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 Third Degree Black Belt in Matayoshi Kobudo, a Black Belt in the Hunter Fight Fit program and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Anna graduated her first bachelor degree in Communications majoring in media production in 2021 and became HVMAC's media manager.
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 Joel began karate in 2007, achieved his Dynamites black belt in 2009, and his Sandan in 2022. He achieved his Kobudo Nidan in 2023. Sensei Joel was in the NSW state team in 2020.
Sensei Kaia began karate at the age of three in 2006.
Sensei Kaia joined the NSW state team, Australian Karate Federation, at age 12 in 2015 and competed for NSW for six years.
Kaia is studying a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Newcastle.
Sensei Zac gained his First Degree Black Belt in 2021.
Sensei Zac is an assistant instructor at the Warners Bay dojo.
Sensei Neve started karate in 2018 and achieved her Shodan in 2022, as well as her Kobudo black belt in 2023.
Sensei Neve is currently studying a Bachelor of Business at the University of Newcastle.
Sempai Christina is an advanced Fight Fit student.