The only full time martial arts center on the Sydney city fringe. Sydney Karate Club offers a wide range of classes in the arts of Freestyle Karate, Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, Arnis, Kubodo and Yoga. We also offer children's classes from 3 years old. Sydney Karate Club is open to anyone men, women and child of any age.
Why study martial arts?
People decide to learn martial arts for many different reasons. Some people want to learn self defence, some enjoy it for the health beniefits, others want to meet new people. Whatever your reasons are, Sydney Karate Club can help you to achieve your goals.
If you want to get fit, have fun and learn self defence - Sydney Karate Club is the place for you!
If you have an interest in studying martial arts I highly recommend trying Sydney Karate Club! Lachlan Toohey
(Google+ - Feburary 2014)
This place has become my second home! I train here up to 4 or 5 times a week. When I started I thought there was no way I would get fit or tough enough to stay in martial arts, but I'm still here four years later. Yasmin Clarke
(Google+ - January 2014)
Great club, lots of variety and good fun! Christie McMonigal
(Facebook - December 2013)
Our instructional team is the best in the business. Every instructor is fully qualified at an advanced level in their art and backed by externally recognised instructor qualifications from bodies such as Ausport and ISKA.
Our full time centre is fully decked out with quality rubber floor matting, punching bags and all of the latest training equipment to make learning easy and training fun. Not to mention fully insured for sports injury to guarantee your safety.
All our classes have been designed around a dynamic curriculum with a focus on delivering information in a manner that is suitable to each level, so no-one gets thrown in the deep end not knowing what to do.
Want to get fit? How about fitter than fit? Our classes will help you meet your workout goals.
Our dynamic schedule means that there are more classes available at more times. With our Ultimate program you'll almost never have to leave the Dojo.
Want to get into the martial arts competitions and become the national champion? We can help you with that goal. We have several ISKA champions training with us already.
Students log in to every class via the club touch screen system. As well as allowing the students to keep track of their attendance, the system also allows the instructors to better organise classes appropriate to the level of attendance, so we can ensure a quality service provided to each student.
Don't want to train in a martial arts gym with a drill sergeant screaming orders at you and calling you names when you don't get it right? Don't want to train at a place where the sole focus is on competition? Don't worry - Sydney Karate club is a family friendly and very socially active environment. Everyone is there to help each other train - there are no attitudes and no egos allowed.
We train primarily in a mixed martial art style which combines techniques from the arts of Freestyle Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA and Arnis. Our centre also runs wide range of other classes, from Kobudo (traditional weapons) to Yoga to Fighting Fit (fitness circuits). There is definitely something to suit everyone.
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Sydney Karate Club was established by Renshi Jonathan when he moved into the Ultimo area in 2002. The club was founded with the goal of teaching self-defence to a small group of friends, and from here Sydney Karate Club has grown, offering freestyle karate and self-defence classes to people of all ages from its specialised facility in Ultimo.
Sydney Karate Club started its first classes in the park on Mary Ann St, and a small loungeroom in a nearby apartment. The Club quickly grew and moved into the Harris Community Centre Church Hall in 2003 and in 2005 Sydney Karate Club opened its second location in the West Epping Scout Hall. After 9 years in the Harris Community Centre Sydney Karate Club made the decision to set-up its own permanent space in the area moving one street away to 190/392 Jones St Ultimo. In 2012 Sydney Karate Club ratified its constitution, and become an Incorporated Sports Organisation, continuing its original goal to teach self-defence with all profits being directed back into the club.
Sydney Karate Club was a finalist in the 2012 City of Sydney small business awards, in the health and fitness category.
Sydney Karate Club currently operates its classes from its own facility located at 190/392 Jones St Ultimo NSW 2007.
Sydney Karate Club is a member of the International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) and the Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA). Sydney Karate Club's instructors all hold senior first aid certificates, are certified instructors with the MAIA and are referees with ISKA. All instructors are certified to work with children by the NSW Commission for Children and Young People and several instructors hold prohibited weapons permits from the NSW Police Commissioner.
Our classes are open to men, women, and children. We welcome anyone who wants to learn.
Renshi Jonathan Gleeson
Jonathan has been training in the martial arts since 1991. In this time he has reached the level of 5th degree black belt (Dan) in Kaizen Ryu Freestyle Karate. In 2012, in recognition of continual teaching efforts, Jonathan was promoted to the rank of Renshi (Expert-Teacher).
Jonathan has also achieved 1st Dan ranks in Ryu Kyu Kobudo Kai, and in Doce Pares Arnis, Eskrima & Kali.
At present, Jonathan also trains in Gracie Humaita Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in which he has received instruction from Royler Gracie
Seeking to further his knowledge and broaden his experience, Jonathan has also trained in the following martial art styles -
Jonathan competes and referees at ISKA tournaments where he holds the position of Head Referee and Arbitrator, and was presented with the award for Referee of the year in 2006.
In 2009 Jonathan was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame as the Martial Arts Instructor of the Year.
Jonathan is an accredited instructor with both the Martial Arts Industry Association and the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and holds a Martial Arts prohibited weapons permit from the NSW Police Commissioner.
Jonathan is passionate about teaching the martial arts. It is his pleasure to pass on what he has learned to anyone who is willing.
Dai-Sempai Olivia Liu
Dai-Sempai Christie McMonigal
Dai-Sempai Patrick Coy
Dai-Sempai Yasmin Clarke
Dai-Sempai Robert Bui
Sempai Annette Bui
Sempai Lilian Bui
Sempai Donherra Walmsley
Sydney Karate Club Incorporated is a not-for-profit sports club with the primary purpose of providing martial arts and self-defence instruction. It is under the leadership of the current board of directors. Each member of this board has a wealth of diverse knowledge and experience that they bring together to drive Sydney Karate Club forward.
Board of DirectorsSydney Karate Club (ABN 66 284 308 118) is a registered not-for-profit association. We exist solely to conduct, encourage and promote Martial Arts to our members and throughout our local community. As part of this mission, we consider the following to be fundamental:
Because we aim to remain affordable to everyone who wishes to attend our classes, we sometimes need a little extra help, for example, in purchasing new equipment or sending our students to tournaments.If you are interested in sponsoring our club, we would love to hear from you! There are many different ways that you could help us:
The possibilities are endless!
Contact us for more details.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to our current sponsors:
The first lesson of any class is free, so drop into the club at any time and try out one of our great classes.
Or for more information contact us
Want your child to learn self control, team work, manners or confidence? Or how about learning what to do in an emergency, how to introduce themselves or how to deal with strangers? With a new theme every week your child will learn valuable life skills as well as have fun, keep active and develop basic motion skills and hand-eye coordination.
This program has been created specifically for 3 to 5 year olds and focuses on Life Skills, Safety Skills and Basic Martial Arts Skills.
Recent studies demonstrate that willpower (self control) is a key factor in life success, and it’s a core martial arts skill in our Ninjas classes.
Our specialised curriculum teaches kids, not only self control, but valuable self-protection skills and builds confidence like no other activity. Little Ninjas Kids Karate classes teach children how to gain control of their mind, body and emotions.
Plus, every class we teach provides a safe, fun, high-energy workout that motivates children to reach new levels of mental and physical performance. When a child has the courage and willpower to overcome obstacles success naturally follows.
Kaizen Ryu Freestyle Karate classes are open to anyone aged 16 years and up. This class is an even mix of men and women with a wide age range - everyone is welcome.
Kaizen Ryu Freestyle Karate is a freestyle or mixed martial art, incorporating elements of Karate, Kung Fu, Kick-boxing, Arnis, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Muay Thai, Weapons, Ground fighting and Grappling.
Our classes follow the traditional coloured karate belt levels, but Kaizen Ryu takes the approach that every belt is different, with each new belt focusing on a new, more technical topic than the previous and adapting each of these topics into modern self-defence applications.
Kaizen Ryu classes can be very challenging both mentally and physically, but all classes are aimed to be delivered to students of any skill level, from beginner to expert.
Our Teen Karate program is based on Kaizen Ryu Freestyle Karate system. This class is an even mix of fun and hard work targeted to teenagers, everyone is welcome.
Kaizen Ryu Freestyle Karate is a freestyle or mixed martial art, incorporating elements of Karate, Kung Fu, Kick-boxing, Arnis, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, Muay Thai, Weapons, Ground fighting and Grappling.
Our classes follow the traditional coloured karate belt levels, but Kaizen Ryu takes the approach that every belt is different, with each new belt focusing on a new, more technical topic than the previous and adapting each of these topics into modern self-defence applications.
Kaizen Ryu classes can be very challenging both mentally and physically, but all classes are aimed to be delivered to students of any skill level, from beginner to expert.
Ryu Kyu Kobudo Kai is a traditional martial art, originating from Okinawa and centered around training with weapons for self-defense,
Weapons covered include the Bo, Sai, Kama, Tonfa, and Nunchuku. The basics of attack and defense with each weapon are covered as well as sparring with each weapon against the others, and the practice of traditional Kata or forms.
Due to the use of prohibited weapons in this class (Sydney Karate Club Instructors have Permits to possess and teach these weapons) the class has an 18+ age limit
This class is a great addition to any training, opening up a whole new part of the martial arts not offered in most other classes.
Our Grappling program follows a Brazillian Jui-Jitsu style instructional syllabus. Students progress through 6 levels designated by coloured rash shirts; white, blue, purple, brown, black, red.
The focus is on "no-gi" style grappling and competition.
Our students regularly compete in ISKA promoted competitions.
This class also delivers a fusion of street smart MMA.
We try to maintain the cost of training in any program at Sydney Karate Club at an affordable level.
All programs require an annual insurance fee to be paid with membership and annually on the 1st March, which is usually around $50.
Class costs are based on a monthly commitment:
The first lesson in all programs is FREE.
Are you time-poor and can’t make the classes? Feeling shy or intimidated and want to try it out on your own first? Do you want to learn some self defence quickly? Do you want to dramatically improve your Martial Arts skills with intense lessons? Then private sessions are for you.
Private and small group lessons are available by appointment.
During private lessons you will learn several techniques against all types of aggressions including bare hands, club and knife attacks. After only few private lessons a student will possess the knowledge and reflexes necessary to realistically improve the chances of defending him or herself in a real street fight.
To book a private or semi-private lesson please contact us