Our Instructors
Sam and Cam Sparkes have over 30 years of karate experience between them. They are a young and dynamic teaching team who love teaching karate. Please continue reading below to find out more about our teaching team.
Sam Sparkes
Head Instructor
JKA 3rd Dan Black Belt
JKA 3rd Dan Black Belt
Sensei Sam has been practicing and teaching karate for over 20 years with the Japan Karate Association. She is an enthusiastic teacher and enjoys helping her students develop confidence and learn new skills. Over her karate career, she has competed at the State, National and International level. Sam is a mother of three and a fantastic role model for our young students. She is one of only a select few senior female karate instructors in Adelaide.
Qualifications:
3rd Dan JKA Black Belt
JKA C Class Instructor
JKA D Class Judge
JKA D Class Examiner
Ba. Human Movement (UniSA)
M. Physiotherapy (UniSA)
Senior First Aid & Police Clearance
RAN & WWC certified
Club Child Safe Officer
3x JKA Australian National Team Member -
2004 (Tokyo), 2014 (Tokyo) & 2017 (Ireland).
Career Highlight: Winning Gold at the JKAA Australian National Championships - Women's Kumite, Gold Coast, 2009.
Cameron Sparkes
Assistant Instructor
JKA 3rd Dan Black Belt
JKA 3rd Dan Black Belt
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Sensei Cam has been practicing and teaching karate for over 10 years with the Japan Karate Association. He has competed at the State, National and International level. Cam is also a qualified High School teacher, currently working in Learning and Behaviour Unit within the Department for Education SA. In his spare time, Cam volunteers as the President of the Somerton Park Tennis Club and coaches junior footy at the Brighton Bombers Football Club.
Qualifications:
3rd Dan JKA Black Belt
JKA D Class Instructor
Ba. Human Movement (UniSA)
M. Teaching - Health and Physical Education (UniSA)
Registered Teacher (TRBSA)
Senior First Aid & Police Clearance
RAN & WWC Certified
MAPA Certified
2x JKA Australian National Team Member -
2014 (Tokyo) & 2017 (Ireland).
Career Highlight: Winning the tiebreak fight for Australia in the Men's Team Kumite at the 2014 JKA World Cup, Tokyo.
Sensei Cam has been practicing and teaching karate for over 10 years with the Japan Karate Association. He has competed at the State, National and International level. Cam is also a qualified High School teacher, currently working in Learning and Behaviour Unit within the Department for Education SA. In his spare time, Cam volunteers as the President of the Somerton Park Tennis Club and coaches junior footy at the Brighton Bombers Football Club.
Qualifications:
3rd Dan JKA Black Belt
JKA D Class Instructor
Ba. Human Movement (UniSA)
M. Teaching - Health and Physical Education (UniSA)
Registered Teacher (TRBSA)
Senior First Aid & Police Clearance
RAN & WWC Certified
MAPA Certified
2x JKA Australian National Team Member -
2014 (Tokyo) & 2017 (Ireland).
Career Highlight: Winning the tiebreak fight for Australia in the Men's Team Kumite at the 2014 JKA World Cup, Tokyo.