Trainers
All of our instructors have years of teaching and martial arts experience and hold current qualifications from Commando Krav Maga. This means they’ve been trained rigorously through the instructor program to the highest standards.
Derek Upward - Head instructor
Derek Upward
Specializations
CKM Level 4 Smart Safe Level 3
Super Kid Level 2 TOP Level 1 Student Taekwondo 5th Dan
Derek has been teaching Martial Arts full time for over 11 years. He is the first and highest ranked Smart Safe instructor in Australia, and is also the first generation of Super Kid and TOP instructors in this country.
Derek is a former competitive taekwondo athlete who enjoys helping others succeed and achieve their goals. He brings a fun and down to earth attitude to all his classes and students.
Iwan Stafford
Iwan Stafford
Specializations
Smart Safe Instructor Level 2 CKM student Level 1
Iwan started training in CKM in 2015 under Australia’s BEST instructor Jeff Crane, in Lithgow, NSW. Iwan continued his CKM journey when he moved to Melbourne at Commando Krav Maga Melbourne. Iwan recently completed his first CKM Smart Safe boot camp with Elite Team Instructor Becky Richardson, and passed with flying colours.
As well as Smart Safe and CKM, Iwan has also trained in Muay Thai.
Iwan has a Bachelor degree in Science and Psychology and a Masters degree in Music Therapy. He has been actively practicing since 2014. He uses his experience in the psychology field to communicate effectively with his students and help them grow and develop, strengthening their mental strength as well as their physical skills.
Amy Petrie - Leading the way
Amy Petrie
Specializations
CKM Level 3 Super Kid Level 2
Taekwondo 1st Dan
Amy is Australia's first and only qualified female CKM instructor, leading the way for the next generation of practitioners and instructors.
Amy is also the first generation of Super Kid Instructors in Australia. Once again, leading the way. Her enthusiasm for the application of her knowledge shines in all her classes.
Catherine Gordon
Specializations
Smart Safe Instructor Level 2 Taekwondo 1st Dan
Catherine has been training in Taekwondo for over 10 years. She has been training in CKM and Smart Safe for over two years. Catherine was one of the first group of students to pass their Level 1 Smart Safe student levels in Australia in May, 2018!
Catherine then took the leap and trained to become one of the first female Smart Safe Instructors in Australia. She is one of the youngest instructors world wide to achieve this certification.
She is very excited to share these skills with other young women.
As well as Smart Safe and CKM, and Taekwondo, Catherine has also trained in Korean Swords.
Keryn Gordon
Specializations
Smart Safe Instructor Level 2 Taekwondo 2nd Dan
Keryn first took up taekwondo when she was 16. Her training has been interrupted by life, university, injury and children.
Twelve years ago, she returned to Taekwondo, and continued her journey, working her way up to her 2nd Dan. During her taekwondo career keryn has become an instructor, and has competed in contact sparring and poomsae (forms).
Keryn has been training in CKM and Smart Safe for over two years. Keryn was one of the first group of students to pass their Level 1 Smart Safe student levels in Australia in May, 2018!
As well as Smart Safe and CKM, Keryn has also trained in Korean Swords.