Meet the Team!
HEAD INSTRUCTOR
New Zealand + RAKAIA
Sensei Amanda van Vliet
My martial arts career began when my children were aged 12 and 11, and experiencing bullying in school. As a proactive measure the family enrolled in martial arts, studying under the club founder and director Johnny Kennedy.
From the outset I thrived in the inclusive learning environment that Kennedy’s offered and quickly rose through the ranks to obtain my black belt. I was impressed by the friendly, family orientated classes and the positive changes I saw in my children and myself. As a mother in that environment, I could have been made to feel an outsider but was instead welcomed and encouraged to excel.
I was encouraged and supported to rise to meet each challenge and even entered the tournament arena, dabbling in both competition Karate and Taekwondo, obtaining a national title in Taekwondo.
I obtained my black belt in 2004 and was encouraged by Shihan Kennedy to rise to another challenge, that of opening the doors to my own franchise in Rakaia. The Rakaia club opened its doors on August the 17th 2005 and has not looked back since. I have trained ten people to black belt level and many more have passed through the club’s doors in that time.
I am proud of the values, resilience and character the Rakaia club has instilled in its members over the years and I continue to study to ensure all students have the tools and mechanisms they need to excel.
It is an honour to see my students excel not only in their martial arts training but also excelling at life. Taking the skills they have learned at the club, and applying them to other aspects of their lives, and reaping the rewards in doing so.
I continue to see a place for martial arts in every child’s life and remain dedicated to helping them achieve their goals.
Qualifications:
· NZ Diploma in Psychology
· NZ Diploma in Business
· Certified Neuro-change Practitioner
· 4th degree Black Belt Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts
· Sensei Teaching Rank
· Black belt rank Koryu Uchinadi
HEAD INSTRUCTOR
CHRISTCHURCH
Sensei Nadia van Vliet
I first began martial arts under Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts in 2001 at the age of 11. I was initially introduced to the sport for self defence reasons to keep the bullies at bay at school. However I soon began to love it for other reasons; friendships, positive influences, challenges and competition.
Before I knew it I was training 4 days a week, progressing through the ranks and began competing in both competition Karate and Taekwondo, and this is where my passion for the sport really took off. My competitive nature soon had me progress to the top of my divisions. Winning many regional, national and international competitions as well as representing New Zealand in Taekwondo, my passion for the sport was fully cemented into my lifestyle.
I sat my Shodan (1st degree Black belt) test in 2005 and soon after began to help with coaching at both the Rakaia and Christchurch Dojo’s. With a passion for watching those around me succeed I soon found a love of teaching pursuing my University Studies in this area and gaining a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning.
When Shihan Kennedy moved to Australia in 2010, I took over the role of Head Instructor and owner/operator of KFMA Christchurch. My passion for leadership and teaching saw the club successfully gain a full time facility, and it has continued to grow from strength to strength. Having recently been promoted to Probationary 4th Dan at Kennedys, acquiring my 1st Degree Black belt in Taekwondo and now coaching Nationally for Taekwondo New Zealand, it’s fair to say the challenges never stop.
These days, I still thoroughly enjoy training as well as coaching both our curriculum and my competitive squad. Watching people push past what they thought they were capable of; gaining new belts and medals through their dedication and perseverance and being a part of that success is a personal highlight each year.
People will forget what you do and forget what you say. But they will never forget how you made them feel.
Qualifications:
Bachelor Teaching and Learning
3rd Degree Black Belt Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts
Sensei Teaching Rank
1st Degree Black Belt World Taekwondo
National Kyorugi Coach - New Zealand Taekwondo
World Taekwondo Kyorugi Coach Qualified - Level 2
Dai Sampei Alex Barns
I joined Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts at the age of 6 years old. Initially, it was so I could learn self defence. However, my mother probably wanted me to join so I would learn respect, resilience, integrity, and discipline.
I was trained under Sensei Amanda at the Rakaia dojo. Over the years I moved up through the ranks.
In 2012, I became the first Junior Black belt of the KFMA club. Later, I would be promoted to Shodan (First degree Black belt).
As a black belt, I began giving back to the club by helping Sensei Amanda teach the kids classes.
During my time at KFMA, I developed an interest in competition Karate and Taekwondo. I joined Sensei Nadia’s tournament team and competed in a number of tournaments in New Zealand. After a few years, I changed my mind about competing and, after Sensei Nadia’s suggestion, I started helping coach the tournament team. Initially, I was just holding bags for drills, but soon I was coaching my own competitors and sitting ring-side in the coaches seat. During that time, I would also acquire a 1st degree Black belt in Taekwondo.
After finishing secondary school, I moved into Christchurch to study at the University of Canterbury. At the same time I began training at the Christchurch dojo with Sensei Nadia.
While I was studying my Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering with Honours, I continued training as a way to stay fit and maintain good mental health. During this time I was promoted to Nidan (2nd degree Black belt).
Having graduated University, I’m now working full time and continuing to train at, and support, the club.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Mechatronics Engineering with Honours
2nd Degree Black Belt Kennedy’s Freestyle Martial Arts
Dai Sampei Teaching Rank
1st Degree Black Belt World Taekwondo
Dai Sampei Tomoko Wright
I joined Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts Rakaia in the winter of 2010. I had heard a lot about the club as my work colleagues and their children were enrolled but I was too tired from work and didn’t have a courage to step into something new and different. But then in the winter of 2010 I put on 3kgs in two weeks and that made me to take action and I joined the club, just get in to a routine to do some exercise as well as learning martial arts which I always wanted to try. I was welcomed in to the club warmly as if I was already the part of the team/ family/ whanau and I have always got the same welcome every time I absent from the club for a few years for my personal circumstances and back. I am grateful for the close connection within the members and members families and comradely the club has.
After been through a straight road, bumpy road, up and down hills, the edge of the cliff, smooth curve, over the water, under the water, over the bridge, going forward, going backwards, off to the side track, a complete halt, the journey to get to black belt was not easy but I finally obtained my probationary black belt in December 2018. I have been away for the last few years and slowly back in training in Autumn 2023 at present.
I believe the club has helped me attain not only great martial arts skill sets including self defence but personal growth as I have learnt throughout the journey with KFMA that it is okay to have weaknesses or make mistakes because the important thing is that we’ve got your back and together we move forward if you want to.
By the way, I am more than happy to be called Tom, short for Tomoko.
Qualifications:
1st Degree Black Belt Kennedys Freestyle Martial
Dai Sempai Rank
Diploma in Agribusiness Management
Dai Sampei Tyla Boyd
I started training at Kennedy’s Freestyle Martial Arts when I was 6 in 2010. My sister trained there before me, and I often came to watch her classes. Through watching all the fun she had and the cool stuff she learned, I decided that I wanted to give it a try as well.
After training for more years, moving up the ranks and eventually being old enough to join the adults class, I gained a deeper understanding of what it means to do martial arts. As well as the fun that I had originally started for, I saw its importance in self-defence. Most of all, I saw how all the connections, friends and family that I had made there, molded me into the person I am today through their positive influence, knowledge, and commitment to me and my learning.
In 2017, I did my Shodan (First Degree Black Belt) test and took on the responsibility of helping teach the kids classes. Teaching didn't only help others, but also helped me in many different ways. Having to closely look at other people's techniques allowed me to better critique my own technique and most importantly it gave me more confidence in my abilities as well as talking in front of many people. When deciding what I wanted to do after high school, I thought about all that teaching at Kennedy's had given me and decided to do a Bachelor of Arts in Education, which I started in 2022. This degree has and will continue to help me refine my teaching skills and better accommodate students of all different backgrounds.
Today, I’m continuing my degree in Education and learning more ways to become a better instructor. Watching others train, improve and earn their new belts is a highlight of being involved with instructing. In terms of my own training, I still continue to train twice a week and I love it. I love how I still learn something new every class and find new ways to improve my technique.
Qualifications:
1st black belt Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts
Dai Sampai teaching rank
Sampei Jasmine Cruickshank
In 2012, I started martial arts with my sister, after my brother had started a bit before us. Kennedys has made such a massive impact on my life, from teaching me the sport, about people, and most importantly about myself.
After a few years of training and gaining my red belt, I began assisting with teaching the junior classes. I’ve since grown a huge passion for teaching our members. I enjoy teaching because it's an opportunity to pass on the knowledge and experiences that I was lucky enough to have learnt and received myself. Teaching our junior and senior members has had one of the biggest impacts on me as a person. I have finally grown the confidence I need in myself, and in the knowledge that I have to share. I now teach in our Junior and Senior Kids classes, helping to instruct in our Adults class, and also our Junior TKD Team.
At blue belt I joined the Kennedys Tournament Team, and this soon became another massive part of my life. Here I competed across New Zealand in regional and national tournaments. I was captain of our tournament team in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, I was selected to represent New Zealand in our national team alongside Coco. I competed in Tahiti in my very first international tournament. The forever support and ever-changing and new knowledge that comes from the tournament team and competing are some of the things that further fuel my passion and enjoyment for martial arts.
I have learnt so much from training with Kennedys. I have built many great relationships within the club with people I would be completely different without. I have made so many connections through the club, which have also allowed me to make many connections with fellow martial artists from around New Zealand. Through training and teaching, I have grown incredibly as an athlete, a teacher, and as a person.
Qualifications:
1st Degree Black belt - Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts
Sampai Teaching Rank - Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts
1st Degree Black belt - World Taekwondo
New Zealand Taekwondo Team 2022
Sampei Benjamin Cruickshank
I began training at Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts in 2012 at 10 years old. I started due to my parents wanting me to learn and do something else apart from gaming... From there onwards I loved it, loved meeting new people whom I would call friends and family, the attributes and values I would soon learn.
I met many people through the years of training at KFMA, that I soon called my closest friends. When things got tough, I would always have them to turn to for help. Having these people around was the motivation I needed to keep training and to exceed mine and others expectations to where I am now.
I started training Taekwondo competitively under Sensei Nadia in 2015 where I began to love other martial art styles. Winning regional, national tournaments throughout the years became a second lifestyle to me. And I still thoroughly enjoy training both styles even after these many years.
I sat my Shodan grading in 2017 where after many years I was given the chance to show what I had learnt. After losing many people I knew, I had the courage and confidence through others to help exceed this. The next year, I was given the privilege and teaching rank of Sampei.
I still enjoy training and coaching new people and students as they walk through the doors. I'm still having the chance to meet and become friends with those who are still here and those who join. Forever grateful for KFMA and the people, family that I have met.
Qualifications:
1st black belt Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts
Sampai teaching rank
1st Degree Black Belt World Taekwondo
Coco Cruickshank
I started martial arts at the age of 5, and I've been with Kennedys for almost 11 years now. I started karate because my older siblings started and of course I wanted to be just like them. The club and everyone involved have now become my family and the dojo my favourite place to be.
I started assisting with teaching after I received my red belt. Teaching our juniors has to be one of the best skills I have learnt from this club. I have become more confident in myself and my technique. I also participate in assistant coaching our junior competitive Taekwondo team.
In 2019, at the age of 12, I sat my Junior Black belt. At this time I was the youngest female Blackbelt at Kennedys FMA. Then throughout the following year I learnt the entirety of the senior curriculum and graded to my Senior Black belt at the end of 2020.
Being at this club for 2/3 of my life has changed how I treat others and especially how I treat myself. I have become a more confident, more outgoing, and overall happier person.
While training two times a week, I also ended up joining the Taekwondo team. This decision made me love my training even more. I then started competing around New Zealand, winning many regional and national tournaments. Mid 2022 I got selected with my sister to represent New Zealand in the Oceania Championships in Tahiti.
Qualifications:
Black Belt - Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts
1st Degree Black Belt - Taekwondo
New Zealand Taekwondo Team 2022
Steven Pearce
I joined Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts in 2012 along with my son who showed an interest in learning a martial art. While I have played a lot of different sports over my life, time and personal circumstances were never quite right to try martial arts.
Initially I was there just for my son but was soon cajoled into joining the adults class with a great mix of “mature” students, those in their twenties, and teenagers.
Progressing in martial arts is challenging both physically and mentally however the dojo has been a great venue to workout twice a week and learn valuable and applicable self-defence skills. As an engineer I have enjoyed being able to question the reason behind why certain techniques are performed the way they are and how they relate to the physiology of the human body. In life you truly never stop learning!
As I have progressed through the ranks I have become equally motivated by the positive changes and development that I see in our junior members as they travel on their martial arts journey. Parents enroll their children in our club for a variety of reasons including self-defence skills, but I take the greatest pleasure in seeing the increase in confidence and resilience that the children take from the dojo into all aspects of their lives.
To help build the club and support its goals, and our awesome hierarchy, I am currently the Christchurch club chairman.
Even having attained a black belt the learning doesn’t stop. I enjoy and am challenged to refine my skills, learning new techniques, and training with a great bunch of people including my son. It’s not always easy but it’s always rewarding.
Qualifications:
1st Degree Black Belt - Kennedys Freestyle Martial Arts
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Postgraduate Diploma in Management
PhD Mechanical Engineering