A sensei is more than an instructor. A sensei should be a passionate student, a supportive coach, a role model and a trusted friend.
A sensei must model good judgement and discipline in their actions and achievements. Their lessons are not isolated to the dojo.
The achievements of a sensei may be measured by the quality of their advanced students.
Chris Gillies (sensei)
Chris has trained in martial arts for 4 decades, including many years in Japan and Brazil. He has coached and competed in Kudo, full-contact Karate, Kickboxing, and BJJ, winning state and national titles.
| Martial Art | Grade | Instructor |
| Jujutsu | Black belt (4th degree) | Okuyama Ryuho Soke (Japan) |
| Karate | Black belt (4th degree) | GM Vince Palumbo (Aust) |
| Judo | Black belt | Michael Headland Sensei (Aust) |
| Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu | Black belt | Patrick McCarthy Hanshi (Aust) |
| Shito-ryu karate | Black belt | Fujimoto Sadaharu Kaicho (Japan) John Boswell Sensei (Aust) |
| Pangamot | Black belt | SGM ‘Cacoy’ Canete (Philippines) GM Vince Palumbo (Aust) |
| Kudo / Daidojuku | Brown belt | Azuma Takashi Jukucho (Japan) |
| Brazilian Jiujitsu | Brown belt | Professor Pedro Galiza de Oliveira (Brazil) |
| Krav Maga | Practitioner 5 | Master Graham Kuerschner (Aust) |
Steven ‘Pacey’ Pace (sempai)
Pacey sempai is the first person to have received a Sobukan black belt. He also holds a black belt in Jissen Budo and level 1 in Kinetic Fighting. He has competed in Kudo and BJJ. His skill in all ranges of the martial arts are only surpassed by his personal character and integrity.
Sei Gillies (sempai)
Sei has trained in martial arts his entire life, starting with Sobukan at 3 years old and having trained in Japan and Brazil. Sei earned his Sobukan black belt at 17 years of age after 14 years training.
Dan Scibilia (sempai)
Dan sempai holds black belts in multiple arts and a brown belt at Sobukan. He is life-long martial artist who has competed in MMA, Kudo and more. In addition to being an extremely advanced and proficient martial artist, Dan sempai is a dojo leader and respected instructor.
Sobukan Dojo 
Gday Chris we trained together with John Boswell looks like you have had an interesting martial arts jurney well done I have a little club in the northern suberbs it’s going well it would b good to have a chat one day .Hamish
Hi Hamish,
Of course I remember you, how are you? I touched base with Boswell sensei recently, must call him again. By all means lets catch up sometime.
Chris
Where is your dojo Chris
Hi chris. My no is 0400836543. I just want to know where your dojo is and your fees please. Thx
Hi Linden, thank you for your interest. The dojo and cost info is all listed at https://sobukan.com.au/class-times/
Regards
Chris
Hi Chris, looks like you are doing great things with families, children & martial arts. I remember our training with Master Palumbo and the demonstrations we participated in fondly. I often remember your explosive style with admiration. I intend to catch up and say hi at some point. Best wishes, Matt Hogan
Hi Matty, great to hear from you. I am still grateful for your assistance with some martial art demonstrations. Please do try to find the time to drop by. Regards Chris.
Hello, is this style “Sobukan” a self developed, non-affiliated style of karate? I’m assuming so, as I don’t see it having any connection to or recognition from WKF or JKA. If so, please correct my error. Thanks.
Sobukan has connections to Daidojuku (Kudo), Shobukai shito-ryu, Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu and Hakkoryu Jujutsu HQ, but is no longer technically affiliated.
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