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*Students must be fully vaccinated.
Melbourne Dragons Martial Arts is Melbourne’s first inclusive LGBTIQA+ martial arts club. We offer Martial Arts and self-defence classes in our queer-friendly Collingwood dojo. We run weekly Karate and Muay Thai/Kickboxing sessions at our accessible martial arts dojo. Located close to the CBD and next door to Collingwood Station, the dojo is open to all members of the LGBTIQA+ community and their allies.
We offer one free trial class, so you can come along and get a feel for our dojo. We look forward to meeting and training with you soon.
Why Melbourne Dragons?
Melbourne Dragon Martial Arts provides a supportive and inclusive environment to learn how to protect yourself. You develop self-esteem, confidence, resilience and competence under the tutelage of Sensei Damian Wilson (Founder). At Melbourne Dragons Martial Arts, we teach traditional martial arts called Goju Ryu Karate and Muay Thai/Kick Boxing. We also provide self-defence classes intermittently throughout the year. All of our classes are taught at our Collingwood dojo. At Melbourne Dragons, we offer martial arts that are easy to learn for all ages and abilities, whether you are a seasoned martial artist or an absolute beginner.
Discover new friendships
Our club is the perfect place to form new friendships. Create personal connections through sport, and focus on your well-being with a group of like-minded individuals.
We also engage in social events and encourage members and friends to come and socialise outside our training hours.
It is easy to get involved, and we welcome new members to come and try out the classes that we offer in a friendly and supportive environment.
Learn a practical martial art
We offer training in Goju Ryu Karate & Muay Thai (Kickboxing) through our experienced head instructor – Sensei Damian Wilson (he\him).
Our classes include standard Karate techniques (e.g., punches, kicks, strikes) and kata (forms of movements), along with Muay Thai (kickboxing), which can be used for fitness as well as self-defence.
We also offer self-defence classes for those seeking a less formal approach to martial arts training throughout the year.
Grading and kyu (“colour”) belts
Challenge yourself and measure your achievements through our grading process. Like most other martial arts, Goju Ryu Karate utilises a belt system to monitor students’ progress. Students are encouraged to work through our Goju Ryu belt systems at their own pace. Our belt system starts with a White or beginner’s belt; students then work through various coloured belts before being tested for their Black belt or 1st Dan.
Mudansha (Kyu – Coloured belt) grading is held four times yearly (on the last Sunday of March, June, September and November). The grading process is a formal assessment of the skills and techniques obtained by the student.
2024 Highlights
Mardi Gras Martial Arts Tournament 2024
MIDSUMMA 2024
Kickboxing Workshop with guest instructor Karsten Krüger
Getting started as a beginner with Melbourne Dragons
For newbies, we encourage you to commit to attending classes for at least 8 weeks to form the habit and discipline for training. We have very flexible class payment options. We look forward to welcoming you to our martial arts family. For further information, have a look at the tabs below. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about coming to your first free session. Click here to book a trial session today!
