Samurai Karate Waverley Dojo — Victoria
378 Blackburn Rd,
Burwood East VIC 3151
Martial Arts Classes in Waverley for Kids & Adults
Samurai Karate is a traditional Martial art well designed to meet the needs of our modern world. From a solid foundation springs a wealth of physical and mental abilities that will serve you and your child throughout their life! Our martial arts academy has stood the test of time, serving the community for over 40 years and contributing to the development of thousands of students over the years.
At Waverley, that four-decade history is led day-to-day by Sensei Rebecca Porteus, who brings her own background in early childhood education into how classes are run.
Welcome to the Waverley Dojo
Learning Martial arts in Melbourne is fun and provides lifelong benefits. Proudly serving the City of Monash and surrounding areas, our Waverley dojo is deeply rooted in the local community. We know you may think it will be a little intimidating jumping right into a class. So, we invite you to come in for some private lessons with no obligation to join. We will even fit you out in your own uniform to get started. You will learn some basic skills, and we can answer all your questions. If you have friends or family further east, we also have thriving communities at our nearby Croydon Dojo.
Families come to us from across Burwood East, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley and Ashwood too, so if Croydon isn’t the right fit geographically, there’s a good chance we’re already training people from your street.
Karate Programs for All Ages
In our Samurai Karate Waverley classes, you or your child will experience a dynamic program designed to channel the student’s energy and focus in applying their developing karate skills in a supportive, friendly environment. With time and consistent practice, students enjoy the fruits of their training, obtaining various levels throughout their development. As in the dojo, the student’s development will transfer into success skills in everyday life. To learn more about how to begin this journey, check out our guide on finding the perfect dojo near me.
TINY NINJAS | 5-6
Our youngest program, built around short bursts of focus and movement that suit a 5- or 6-year-old's attention span. It's often where a family's first taste of karate for kids in Waverley happens, led by instructors used to working with this age group specifically.
JUNIORS | 7-9
Kids in this age group start building on the fundamentals properly — technique, coordination, and the discipline to follow a structured class, while still keeping things engaging.
CADETS | 10-14
A step up in intensity and complexity for 10- to 14-year-olds, with more advanced technique work and the option to move into competition training as skills develop.
ADULTS | 15+
Open to complete beginners and experienced students alike. Expect a genuine workout alongside traditional Shukokai technique and practical self-defence — taught in a dojo with over 40 years of history behind it.
Led By Experience
Our Chief Instructor, Sensei Rebecca Porteus, has trained under Soke Paul Mitchell (9th Dan) and internationally in Japan, New Zealand and Bangkok and combines that with over 30 years’ experience in early childhood and special education. It’s an unusual combination, and it shows in how classes are run, particularly for younger students and anyone a little nervous about their first class. Families searching for martial arts for kids in Waverley tend to notice the difference within the first couple of sessions.
WOMAN SELF-DEFENCE COURSE
WAVERLEY HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Rebecca Porteus
4th Dan
My karate journey began at the age of 19, training in the traditional style of Go Ju Ryu in Sydney under Shihan Tsanidis and Sensei Pat Drago. I achieved my Shodan in 2002 and trained for many years before taking time away due to a knee injury. After relocating to Melbourne, I began my Shukokai journey at the Waverley Dojo under Sensei Charles Bayliss and Sensei Adrian. While different in structure, Shukokai’s traditional foundations resonated deeply and have become central to who I am both as a karateka and as a person.
I am a direct student of Soke Paul Mitchell (9th Dan) and have had the privilege of training internationally in Japan, New Zealand and Bangkok. I currently hold the rank of Jun Shidoin Yondan Kenshi and train under Chief Instructor Shihan Darren Olsen and Sensei Rocky Simmons.
As Chief Instructor at Waverley Dojo, I draw on over 30 years’ experience in Early Childhood and Special Education to teach students from Tiny Ninjas to senior adults. I am passionate about developing confidence, self-esteem and personal growth, embracing the true meaning of Shukokai – “the way for all.”
Robert Sterle
2nd Dan
Bryn Griffiths
1st Dan
VIDEO
TESTIMONIALS
Our Martial Arts Family
Our Samurai Karate Family is a community of people committed to personal growth for themselves & one another. Individuals who support one another and share in the journey, having fun, enjoying the development of success strategies along the way. When you join Samurai Karate, you’ll find friends with like-minded focus.
ONLINE REGISTRATION – SPECIAL
Sign Up today and get 2 Weeks Training + FREE Uniform only $49
Waverley Dojo – VIC | Timetable
Monday
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TINY NINJAS
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(5 - 6 years )
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JNR NOVICE - YELLOW - GREEN
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( 8-11 years )
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SENIOR CADETS GREEN - JUNIOR BROWN BELTS
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( 11 - 14 years )
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ALL ADULTS NOVICE INTERMEDIATE SENIOR BROWN - BLACK BELTS
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Wednesday
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TINY NINJAS
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(5 - 6 years )
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JUNIOR NOVICE - WHITE - YELLOW BELTS
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(7-11 years)
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NOVICE - JUNIOR BROWN CADETS
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ALL ADULTS NOVICE INTERMEDIATE SENIOR BROWN - BLACK BELTS
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Friday
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JUNIOR NOVICE - WHITE - RED BELTS
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( 7 - 9 years )
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NOVICE CADETS WHITE - ORANGE BELTS
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( 10 - 14 years )
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WOMENS SELF DEFENCE PROGRAM-5 WEEK PROGRAM
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PLEASE CONTACT THE DOJO TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST or FOR THE NEXT AVAILABLE COURSE
Saturday
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TINY NINJAS
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(5 - 6 years )
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JUNIOR NOVICE COMBINED - WHITE - ORANGE BELTS INCL. JUNIOR SQUAD
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( 7 - 14 years )
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ALL CADETS GREEN - JUNIOR BROWN BELTS INCL SNR SQUAD ALL ADULTS
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Where are your martial arts classes located?
Our Waverley dojo is at 378 Blackburn Rd, Burwood East, serving the City of Monash and surrounding suburbs. We also run dojos across Victoria and in Queensland if this isn’t your closest location.
Q: Do you offer a free trial for new students?
Yes. Come in for a private introductory lesson with no obligation to join, and we’ll fit you out in a uniform to get started.
Q: What age can my child start karate?
From age 5 in our Tiny Ninjas program at Waverley. From there, kids progress into Juniors (7–9) and then Cadets (10–14) as their skills develop.
Q: What style of karate do you teach?
Traditional Shukokai Karate is fast, powerful, and practical, with a strong self-defence focus. Sensei Rebecca Porteus, our Chief Instructor, trains directly under Soke Paul Mitchell (9th Dan).
Q: What are the benefits of joining your martial arts academy?
For kids, it builds confidence, discipline, and motor skills, built up class by class. For adults, it’s a proper workout combined with stress relief and practical self-defence.
Q: Do you use weapons in training?
Not at the start. Beginners focus on empty-hand fundamentals first, and advanced students can go on to learn traditional Kobudo (weapons) later in their training.
Q: How much do the karate classes cost?
It depends on how often you train. Start with the $49 introductory offer (2 weeks plus a free uniform), and our team will talk you through membership pricing after that.
Q: What should I wear for my first class?
Just comfortable activewear or loose clothing for your first class; we’ll fit you out in your own uniform once you decide to join.
Q: Do you run a women's self-defence course at Waverley?
Yes, we run a dedicated 5-week Women’s Self-Defence Program at the Waverley dojo. Contact the dojo directly to register your interest or find out when the next course starts.
Q: What age groups does the Waverley dojo cater for?
From Tiny Ninjas at age 5 right through to adults, with Juniors (7–9) and Cadets (10–14) in between so most families can train together, just in different classes.