OUR INSTRUCTORS
SAMURAI CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
Sunshine Dojo
SHIHAN DARREN OLSEN
7th Dan Kyoshi
Karate Australia Head National Coach for International Pathways
Karate Victoria Senior State Coach
Philosophy & Mission
My passion for Karate comes from a lifelong journey of self-realisation through self-development—balancing the three pillars of growth: mental, physical, and spiritual.
From this, my mission has become clear: to serve others by improving all aspects of the human experience through Karate. I aim to teach not only technique, but life skills—guiding students toward confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and personal growth.
By using Karate as the foundation, my goal is to have a positive and lasting impact on as many people in the community as possible, supporting each individual on their own journey of self-realisation.
My journey in Karate began during a pivotal period of change in Shukokai. As an orange belt, I clearly remember Sensei Tommy Morris arriving at a time when the style, then over 20 years old, was no longer keeping pace with modern developments. His arrival marked a turning point—Shukokai was, quite literally, turned on its head.
SAMURAI KATA SPECIALIST INSTRUCTOR
Nori Miki
5th Dan
Karate Australia Head National kata coach
Karate Victoria Head State Kata Coach
5th Dan in Rocky Ryu (Goju/Shito ryu style) and 2nd Dan Japan Karate Federation.
Started training when I was 3 in my Fathers dojo in Kyoto japan. My father was an 8th dan in JKF.
When I was in grade 2 you won National Kata championship.
1st place Japan’s Nationals in the 16-18 year old Kata division and 2nd place in the 19-22 year old Kata division,
1st place Kata in the Asia/pacific Games in Singapore and also in the Shito Ryu World Championships in Italy.
In Japan’s National team for 3 Years.
Training since 1974 and teaching since 1986.
Love helping people develop, especially in preparation for kata competition.
UNDWERWOOD HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Rocky Simmons
7th Dan
Sensei Rocky is the Queensland Chief Instructor and has been studying Shukokai for over 40 years. He is a multiple AKF QLD State Team representative, coach, and a direct student of Shihan Kimura 8th Dan and Soke Paul Mitchell 9th Dan Hanshi.
CROYDON HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Sensei Craig Taylor
5th Dan
Hello, I’m Craig, though many call me Sensei. I’m the Head Trainer and Manager at Samurai Karate Croydon. I teach many classes throughout the club from Little Samurai kids to our oldest and toughest black belts 
I currently hold the rank of Shidoin Godan (5th dan) Kenshi.
My Karate journey started 40 years ago, in 1984 when I turned 8. To say I was a reluctant student would be an understatement. It was many years before my training became a passion for focus, discipline, and excellence.
When I was younger, I was a keen kata competitor and had some local success. I’ve travelled internationally to compete and train having been to Japan some 15 times.
Over the years I have complimented my Karate with further training in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I love the challenge of martial arts training.
Outside the dojo, I love keeping fit, reading and am quite the avid gamer playing ARPGs and RPGs. As a bit of a performer, you’ll occasionally find me streaming online.
TARNEIT HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Luke Olsen
5th Dan Samurai Karate
Karate Australia 5th Dan
The first time I tried karate I was 4 years old, I always wanted to be a black belt like my dad sensei Darren Olsen, but when I got to the door of the class and the rest of the class looked back at me, I started to cry and wouldn’t go in. It wasn’t till 1997 when I was 9 that my mum told me it was about time to give it another go.
Sunshine dojo was located at sunshine station at the time, and when I started my training, there my dad had me train under his other instructors at first, Senseis Frank, Franka and Claudio.
- Who you have trained with
I have always trained at Sunshine Dojo under my father Sensei Darren Olsen, but he has always encouraged me to train under others to further my learning.
Wasn’t long before Sensei Darren had me training with his instructor Sensei Paul Mitchell, he even sent me to Sensei Pauls Dojo in Croydon every Friday to train for 2 years
I then trained with the AKF Victorian and National team where I was exposed to a lot of great instructors, people like the late Allen Murdoc. It was though the AKF National team I got my first taste at training with a world champion, Junior Levfer. I have since trained with many other top athletes like Rikitor Shimada from Japan.
TARNEIT HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Thomas Olsen
4th Dan Samurai Karate
4th Dan Karate Australia
I started karate in 1997 at 5 yrs old, training at my father’s club in sunshine, across the road from sunshine train station.
My latest grading to date (2024) was my 4th dan grading under Shihan Darren Olsen 7th Dan and Sensei Maro Mazzanti 7th Dan (Kimekai head of Style)
Karate Australia 4th Dan
I have done lots of competitions within Australia and around the world taking me to many different countries fighting in WKF and international open competitions including Czech republic Open, WKF under 21 WKF worrlds in Malaysia, Premier league in Germany and Jakarta, Japan, USA Open at Ceasars Palace, WKF Junior Worlds, Morocco, the latest being the first WKF Teams World Cup in Spain 2024. My greatest achievements are coming first at the Czech open in 2011, third at the German open in 2011 and top 8 at the WKF world championships in Morrocco.
I love doing karate it has taken me all around the world and has helped me prosper in other areas of my life through the lessons I have learned inside the dojo, I love teaching now, to help the students at Samurai Karate gain the experiences, lessons and knowledge that has helped me throughout my life so far.
CAROLINE SPRINGS HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Fabian Carter
4th Dan
KENSINGTON HEAD INSTRUCTOR
Sensei John Hell
3rd dan black belt
Started training at 24 years old in mid-1992 with Samurai Karate.
Mainly trained with Sensei Darren Olsen since starting with Shukokai karate. Also trained under Sensei Paul Mitchell in Japan with Sensei Yamada, and Sensei Kawata.
Teaching since 2012, until I partnered up with Sensei Darren to open Kensington Dojo in 2015.
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.”
Do you want to join our growing team?
As our number of students and Dojos grow so will our need for bright committed team members.
If you are interested please do not hesitate about inquiring below.