Instructors

You will always know who is teaching you

Most dojos will not tell you who takes the class. We will. Here is the whole team, with their ranks and credentials, before you book a thing.

Owner and chief instructor

Kyoshi Glen Phillips

Roku Dan 6th Dan black belt

Glen is passionate about martial arts and honoured to share his knowledge with his students. He began training in 1998, was named WA Zen Do Kai Black Belt of the Year in 2001, and has owned and led this school since that same year. In 2006 he was named WA Zen Do Kai Instructor of the Year.

  • Roku Dan, 6th Dan black belt
  • 4th Degree White/Red Arm Band in Muay Thai (Kickboxing)
  • Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • 2nd Degree in Krav Maga (BJMA)
  • Registered with the WA Sports Commission as a trainer in Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  • Qualified instructor, World Karate Association
  • Qualified instructor, World Kickboxing Association
  • WKA state judge and referee
  • WA Zen Do Kai Black Belt of the Year, 2001
  • WA Zen Do Kai Instructor of the Year, 2006
  • Current First Aid certificate; Working with Children Check
Portrait of Kyoshi Glen Phillips, 6th Dan, owner and chief instructor at SOFMA

A recording of Glen's 4th Dan grading is kept as part of the school history and shown on request at the dojo.

The team

Our instructors

Experienced martial artists committed to bringing out the best in every student.

Portrait of Sensei Lachlan Mitchell

Sensei Lachlan Mitchell

3rd Dan (San Dan)

Student of the Year 2018 here before he earned his black belt and began teaching.

Portrait of Sensei Alex Betjeman

Sensei Alex Betjeman

3rd Dan (San Dan)

Student of the Year 2023, now teaching the next group coming up.

Portrait of Sensei Preston Kelly

Sensei Preston Kelly

3rd Dan (San Dan Ho)

Senior instructor across the kids and adult freestyle classes.

Portrait of Coach Dorn Nguyen

Coach Dorn Nguyen

2nd Dan

Leads the Silverbacks BJJ and MMA program and the Shadow Warriors Muay Thai classes.

Portrait of Sempai Zoey

Sempai Zoey

1st Dan

Assistant instructor.

Portrait of Sempai Ben

Sempai Ben

1st Dan

Assistant instructor.

Portrait of Sempai Miranda

Sempai Miranda

1st Dan

Assistant instructor.

Portrait of Sempai Olivia

Sempai Olivia

1st Dan

Assistant instructor.

Portrait of Sempai Deon

Sempai Deon

1st Degree black belt

Assistant instructor.

The pipeline

From Little Dragon to instructor

Some of the founding students of this school now assist as instructors across our classes. It is the clearest sign of the community we have built: kids who started here, kept training, earned their black belts, and came back to teach. Lachlan and Alex are two of them.

Train with a named, credentialed team

Your first class is on us. Turn up ten minutes early in loose clothing and one of the instructors above will walk you through everything.

Book a free trial Or call Glen on 0451 734 554