Samurai Karate Waverley | Shukokai Karate

Chief Instructor: Sensei Charles Bayliss

Sensei Charles has been training and imparting his knowledge to students for over 20 years. For a full interview with Sensei, click here.

Instructor: Sensei Adrian Vogel

Sensei Adrian began his training with Shukokai karate in 1989.

He has been teaching karate since 1995, both children and adult classes.  Sensei Adrian is currently working within a large organisation, as a “train the trainer” in defensive tactics and conflict resolution. He has also trained in grappling, kickboxing, boxing and holds a certification in fitness.

Sensei Adrian has a strong focus on self-defense and ’street’ application of technique.  He regards the traditional values of the art as the way to achieve a better way of life and temperament in personal development. In this modern age of mixed and sport martial arts, Sensei Adrian seeks to find a blend of the old methodologies with the needs of todays individuals.

Instructor: Sensei Daryus Aden

Sensei Daryus key focus with his training is the use of body mechanics and mental training (the analysis and understanding combat tactics etc) to produce students who are aware of their environment, and their bodies and are capable of using both to defend themselves.

He enjoys exploring new ways to tackling the problem of being combat effective through constantly improving ones own technique.

He feels the most important lesson in karate is the application of the dojo creed to all aspects of your life. If you can show the values of Effort, Patience, Temperance, Respect, Creativity, Honesty and Courage you will make a good karate-ka.

Instructor: Sempai Annette Taylor

Annette began training in 1998 with Samurai obtaining her black belt in 2002 and has been teaching Karate since 2000 predominately to children.

One of the greatest pleasures has been teaching children as they are in there first year of prep and in some cases before prep; watching them as they head off to the first years of high school and sharing their experiences along the way.

Instructor: Sempai Lionel Wirth

Lionel began training with Samurai in 2004, having trained at a Shotokan-based karate club since 1994, then aged 9. Lionel was graded to shodan-ho in 2007 and to shodan in 2008.

“Lionel instructs adult beginners and intermediates and children of all grades, and takes particular pride in seeing his students improve.

“In Lionel’s view, karate is about much more than punching and kicking: it is a vehicle for personal development. Karate training develops physical fitness and mental discipline. The skills learned are transferable to all aspects of life: school, work and otherwise.

“Since having reached shodan, Lionel has developed an interest in the biomechanics of karate. These underpin the basic movements and striking techniques of karate, and can be practised in kata. Their ultimate application, however, is best practised in kumite training.

Instructor: Sempai Mark Richardson

My interest in karate has a long history….back to the days of Bob Jones.  I had a friend who was a man mountain and he inspired me through his dedication and amazing focus through his karate. Unfortunately his journey ended too soon, but it has been a source of inspiration and a challenge to me to achieve what some people only ever dream of.

I have competed in many sports over the years.  Surfing, football, cricket to name a few however, karate has always been part of my life and after participating in another style I found Samurai karate in East Burwood, and started my son training when he was four years old, he was not ready then, and we started again six months later.  I had however, found an old friend training with Samurai and started karate with the vigour of a junior.  Four years later I have reached a wonderful milestone on my karate journey; recently successfully achieving my Sho Dan Ho ( Black belt).

I look forward to challenges in front of me in becoming a more skillful and effective martial artist as I train to further my knowledge and obtain my (Shodan)

Black Belt 1st Dan.

Physical and mental fitness are key elements of all martial arts and this has given me the opportunity to excel in other areas of my life.

As a Sempai (teacher) of karate it is wonderful to watch young students learn to use both sides of their bodies; a useful skill for students in general and it thrills me to see the excitement in their eyes when they realise the potential they have from within themselves to perform the techniques required to be a competent martial artist.  Young and older students have so much potential to learn and improve their balance, focus, attitude, and general well being through karate. I would encourage anyone interested in learning more about karate to come along to Samarai karate, in Burwood. Have a go, you may surprise yourself!

Instructor: Sempai Jimmy Hoeks

Jimmy joined Samurai in 2005 as a means of getting fit and to share an experience with his young son, who was already doing karate. He currently holds a brown belt (3rd kyu) and is working towards his next grading.

‘The best part about my dojo is that I feel at home there. I am a bit older than most of my fellow students, and it would be easy to feel isolated from the younger crowd. It is a credit to the association, and particularly to the Burwood dojo, that every student is recognised as an individual who has something to contribute. I have never been treated with anything but respect and support here. Samurai recognises that karate is as much an individual journey towards confidence and self-discipline as it is about improving technique and skills. I am proud to be a member of this association.’

Jimmy sees teaching as the best way to give something back to the karate community. ‘Working with young students is intensive but rewarding. It gives me great joy to help the kids channel their energy and enthusiasm. My main objective is to make training enjoyable. If the children have fun while training, they will learn without even realising it. They pick up skills and attitudes that will help them as they make their way through the world.

Instructor: Sempai Andrew South

Andy originally began training in Karate with Senseis Paul and Ronan Mitchell at Samurai in 1987, progressing as far as 2nd kyu brown belt. However, in 1990 he sustained a serious knee injury (during performance of a kata – how embarassing!). The resulting operation and period of convalescence necessitated a break of several months, after which he drifted away to pursue other things.

A great deal of time passed, during which he married, had kids, and built a career. However, the thought of one day returning to Karate was something he often thought about, always as “one of those things he’d like to do one day”. Eventually, that day arrived. Driving back from work along Blackburn Road one bright summer day in early 2006, Andy happened to go past the Waverly dojo. He noticed the Samurai sign, and recognised his old school. Poking his head through the door, he got talking to Sensei Charles… and before he knew it was back at training as a white belt. Since then he’s been working steadily towards black belt and achieving the goals he never quite realised the first time around. He finally made Shodan Ho in 2009… 22 years after he first began training.

This long journey has made Andy intensely aware of the personal transformation associated with progression in Karate. He feels that he was not ready for some of the lessons he needed to learn during his initial training, but that subsequent life experience has brought him to a point of readiness. He strongly believes that the qualities necessary for achievement in Karate are enormous assets in everyday life, and are often in short supply in today’s world. In his opinion, respect (for self and others), patience, humility, self discipline, and a willingness to work hard towards personal achievement, are needed today more than ever. Andy is keenly interested in this aspect of Karate. As a father to 3 young children, he feels that helping to impart these qualities to young (and not so young!) people is amongst the most rewarding tasks anyone could hope to pursue.

Instructor: Sempai Michael Copely

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