Blackburn Karate Club - Homepage – Blackburn Karate Club

Authentic Karate Tuition for over 30 years

At Blackburn Karate, we are proud to provide:

a professional training environment with permanent safety features like fully-matted flooring
the highest standard of teaching delivered by internationally recognised instructors
a safe environment for children, with all instructors holding First Aid qualifications and Working With Children approvals
relationships and training events with the Australian Karate Federation and Kobe Osaka International
a fun and inclusive community for children and adults to strive for their personal best

Blackburn Karate Club is proud to be an Australian Karate Federation (AKF) affiliated club.
Led by two-time KOI world cup champion and 7th Dan blackbelt Richard Callaghan, our instructors are internationally assessed and government accredited.

Our Programs

Kids Karate

For over 30 years we have been delivering popular children’s classes that are about fun, fitness and learning to stay focused. Kids learn the physical skills of karate and the fundamentals of self-control and proper attitude. We empower kids to be the best they can be and take on challenges with dedication and discipline, while having fun and building strong social connections.

Karate kids are confident and resilient kids, ready for whatever the future may bring.

Adult Karate

Are you at your physical and mental best? Refined over thousands of years, karate is an excellent way to improve your mental and physical fitness and help you enjoy better wellbeing. We have classes for beginners and intermediate students, and separate advanced classes so that you train side-by-side with students at your level.

Whether you’ve never stepped into a dojo before or are set on earning your black belt, come down to our club and experience learning from our world-class instructors.

Shukokai Karate Style

Karate is a form of unarmed combat – karate meaning empty hand. Karate as a martial art was cultivated on the Japanese island of Okinawa during the 19th century.

Shukokai karate evolved from the Shitoryu style and was developed over a number of years by Chojiro Tani Sensei, a student of Kenwa Mabuni. Shukokai was developed to be more combat effective and is probably the most popular of all the Shitoryu styles practiced throughout the world today.

Blackburn Karate Club proudly teaches Shukokai karate in its traditional form.

Learn more

Head Instructor

Sensei Richard Callaghan 7th Dan

Sensei Richard Callaghan is the founder and Chief Instructor of our club. Rich is a 7th dan black belt and full-time professional karate practitioner. With two world cup kumite championships to his name and over thirty five years of teaching experience, Rich takes pride in passing on world-class knowledge and skills to our students.

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Our Affiliations

What our members say

Fun and engaging

Great Sensei! My girls love going. Great discipline, but also fun and engaging.

Raymond Flack

Modern learning with great traditional ethics

I’m a life club member and family member to the club. Sensei Richard, Sensei Tim and the instructors have the best interests for their kids and adults at the club. Modern learning with great traditional ethics.

Michael Spadea

Upholds the traditional standards of martial arts

As a Japanese parent, I truly appreciate how Richard upholds the traditional standards of martial arts while nurturing each student’s mind, spirit, and physical strength. My son deeply values Richard’s guidance and attention to detail, which have been instrumental in building his confidence and skills.

Naho Hamanaka

The club truly has a warm, family atmosphere

Love this club! My husband and I have been training here for 3 years now. The instructors are knowledgeable and very passionate about teaching karate. Many of their students (kids and adults) have been training here for 10+ years, which is a testament to the club’s inclusive culture. The club truly has a warm, family atmosphere. Whilst still instils great karate and self defence skills. I’m very thankful we found this club. Honestly has been life changing for both my husband and I.

Thu Nugent

Your teaching is second to none

Your teaching is second to none and your club, which is outstanding in its culture and community is a credit to you. We fully acknowledge that your club has contributed immensely to making our children what they are today.

Mark and Naomi Barnett

Huge part of the local community

Sensei Richard and the team of instructors have made this club a huge part of the local community. That can only come through professionalism, hard work, respect and inclusiveness. Highly recommended.

Matt Gyngell

Excellent instructors

Excellent instructors. Fantastic facilities. I have been training for many years now and love every day I train there.

Brad Rutzou

Highest quality in expertise in knowledge and instruction

My son has been training at this club for 3 years and has loved every minute of it. Richard and his team are the perfect example of the highest quality in expertise in their knowledge and instruction, and also in their professionalism in the way they organise their business. Richard’s energy and passion for the art sets such a great example to the students, and he is a wonderful mentor to them. We couldn’t recommend Blackburn Karate Club highly enough.

Glen Cannon

Best place for your kids to learn

Blackburn Karate Club would have to be the best place for your kids to learn. I find Richard fantastic with the classes and with the kids. Highly recommend taking your kids to Richard.