HVMAC Warners Bay

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. 

Shihan Romany is a Fourth degree Black belt in Chitokai and Third degree Black belt in Matayoshi Kobudo.

Shihan Romany is also a Psychologist with a Doctorate in Psychology from Newcastle University. Dr McGuffog brings a particular expertise to our leadership program, particularly in understanding the mind/body/social benefits of martial arts study.

Shihan Romany teaches kobudo and also advanced karate at the Warners Bay dojo.

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 Rhee is Program Director at the Warners Bay dojo.

A Shodan in Chitokai karate, Sensei Rhee has a great understanding of not only the dojo curriculum but the individual needs of over 400 students who train at Warners Bay.

Sensei Rhee is also an assistant instructor on the Xtreme Team and assists in demonstration coordination.

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.

Chloe is currently a Blue belt in the adults program at HVMAC Warners Bay.