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Karate & Martial Arts Warners Bay

Address: 3D/321 Hillsborough Rd,
Warners Bay NSW 2282

Phone: (02) 4956 8876

Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre Warners Bay

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. 

 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!

Unleash your Potential at Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre Warners Bay

 

HVMAC is a registered Active Kids Provider!

Book your free intro session now!
HVMAC Warners Bay Timetable
Brian Hayes
Kyoshi | Chief Instructor | HVMAC Principal

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.

Sandy Hayes
Shihan | Master Instructor | HVMAC Principal

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. 

 

In Memoriam: Ash McKeller
Shihan | Master Instructor

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. 

Dr. Romany McGuffog
Shihan | Master Instructor
Shihan Romany is a Fourth degree Black belt in Chitokai and Third degree Black belt in Matayoshi Kobudo. They started karate in 2006 at the age of 12.
 
Shihan Romany is also a researcher in psychology. They gained their PhD in social psychology from the University of Newcastle in 2020. Since then, they have conducted various research projects exploring how different social contexts impact health, such as the mental health of family day care educators, the ethical conduct of Indigenous health research, and social factors that impact eating disorders. Dr McGuffog brings their psychology expertise and enthusiasm for inclusivity to our leadership program, particularly in understanding the interaction between mind/body/social in martial arts.
 
Shihan Romany teaches Kobudo and advanced karate at the Warners Bay dojo. They are also the student liaison officer for the ACKA.
Mel Hayes
Studio Principal

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. 

Anna Hayes
Shidoin | Senior Instructor | Studio Principal

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. 

Kelie Fisher
Shidoin | Senior Instructor

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. 

Joel Holland
Shidoin | Senior Instructor

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.

Kaia Hayes
Instructor and Assistant Program Director

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. 

Zac Flick
Assistant Instructor

Sensei Zac gained his First Degree Black Belt in 2021.

Sensei Zac is an assistant instructor at the Warners Bay dojo.

Neve Elliott
Instructor | Program Director

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.

Christina Tsimos
Assistant Program Director

Sempai Christina is an advanced Fight Fit student. 

Temperance Newlands
Assistant Instructor and Assistant Program Director
Willow Rutherford
Assistant Instructor
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