Our Instructors
Far from being just a karate club, we pride ourselves on the social and friendly atmosphere that our club promotes. Train with our well respected instructors who are fully qualified black belts, insured, DBS checked and registered with NAKMAS. Our instructors have many years of experience and are dedicated to provide you with the best training and experience possible. The instructors continually develop the training programme so that you continue to improve.
Steve Fernandez
Steve is a 2nd dan blackbelt and has trained in various forms of martial arts including traditional forms karate (Kyokushin and Shotokan), Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Kick Boxing, and Kung Fu. He has also competed in numerous competitions with many wins under his belt, including fighting for Great Britain and recently winning at a National Open Freestyle Martial Arts tournament. He also is a HIIT and strength trainer and is able to draw on this experience to incorporate into the classes.
"I started training as a teenager and exercise and martial arts is now part of my life! It has given me confidence and taught me discipline, which has positively helped make me the way I am today. I want to pass on the knowledge and experience that I have gained to help others."
Pete Allen
Pete is a 6th dan black belt senior instructor in the Leicester clubs. He specialises in kata and weapons work. He has trained over many years in many styles and is a competition coach and helps prepare students for tournament contact sparring and kata forms.
(Image is copyright NAKMAS)
Gary Smith
Gary is the chief instructor for all the Sepoy Karate clubs and founded the style in 1992. He has trained in multiple styles and has blended them to create Sepoy Freestyle Karate. He is an 8th Dan black belt and is the deputy chair of NAKMAS (Britain's independent National Governing Body for both traditional and modern martial arts).
Sepoy Karate clubs are located throughout the country and he works closely with all the senior instructors to keep the style relevant. As the Sepoy Freestyle Karate Chief Instructor he oversees all senior belt gradings including all black belts.
"I am passionate about having a style that is relevant for the streets, easy to learn and hard to beat. I have my own club in Peterborough and am often in the other clubs across the country as I love seeing the learning taking place."
Hear from the instructors
Licensed with the British Martial Arts & Boxing Association
Sepoy Freestyle Karate is a registered organisation and the instructors have had full DBS checks (UK government Disclosure & Barring Service).
Sepoy Freestyle Karate is fully insured, approved and registered by BMABA (British Martial Arts & Boxing Association). The British Martial Arts & Boxing Association is an independent professional body dedicated to ensuring the best training and standards are maintained. It promotes participation and effects social change through their foundation and effectively regulates the instruction of martial arts through all of their BMABA registered coaches, clubs and Sensei’s.
When you achieve your Back Belt, you will be added to the nationally recognised Black Belt register:
