Instructors
The principal instructors are highly dedicated and experienced teachers, having trained and taught Wing Chun for over 10 years as a fulltime profession in Sydney, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
The principal instructors hold current tertiary qualifications, including the Certificate IV in Wing Chun Instruction, Certificate IV in Sports (Coaching) as well as CIV in Workplace, Training and Assessment.
The instructors personally trained with Grandmaster Jim Fung until his sad passing in 2007, and are currently continuing their training.
All instructors and trainee instructors are blue card compliant (working with children) and hold a current senior first aid certificate.
Andrew Withford
Having dabbled in various Martial arts since the age of 16, it was not till I met Sifu Jim that my real training began.
I met Sifu Jim in 1998 and was so impressed that I knew without a doubt I was in the presence of a genuine master.
I then began training full time under Sifu Jim doing the Certificate IV in Wing Chun Instruction. Having completed my formal training as one of his instructors, I was sent to the Gold Coast as one of two instructors to open Sifu Jim’s Queensland full time centre of the International Wing Chun Academy.
I continued my training and tutelage under Sifu Jim and was promoted to State Manager of NSW and continued my studies, attaining a Diploma in Sports Coaching (Martial Arts). I have extensive experience in teaching, training and running a successful Academy.
After the sad passing of Sifu Jim and the insistence of my current students I decided to co-found the Sunshine Coast Wing Chun Academy. I wish to keep Sifu’s dream alive of sharing and promoting genuine Wing Chun skills and knowledge.
Maya Brown
In 1997 I walked into the International Wing Chun Academy in Sydney. With a karate background and a brief introduction to Wing Chun in Queensland, I was very attracted to the defensive capabilities of Wing Chun but was under the assumption that all kung fu’s were fast but not very powerful. At 87kg I held the pad for one of the senior instructors who was about 65kg as he demonstrated a one inch punch on me which resulted in me being knocked back a couple of feet and a sore chest even though I was holding a large kick pad.
I signed up the next day and pretty much trained 4-5 days a week doing 2-4 classes a day. I was informed about there full time instructors course and since I was already training fulltime decided that being paid Austudy by the government to learn Wing Chun Kung Fu was an extremely cool thing to do.
It was during this time that I was offered work by Grandmaster Jim Fung and for the next 10 years worked, trained and taught Wing Chun for the Academy in all the major full-time centers of Sydney, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.
At the invitation of Andrew and the desire for the relaxed lifestyle of the Sunshine Coast I have decided to co-found the Sunshine Coast Wing Chun Academy. I will continue to train with the chief instructors of the International Wing Chun Academy and will pass my knowledge on to the best of my abilities, as I continue to develop mine.
I know that this is what my Sifu would want me to do.
Kam Low
Kam Low has been training in Wing Chun for over six years.
Teaching and training full-time over a three year period under Grandmaster Jim Fung at the Gold Coast branch, Kam became thoroughly fascinated with Kung Fu and decided to travel to China to continue his training.
He recently returned from a three year pilgrimage around mainland China and Hong Kong broadening his knowledge of the Martial Arts and Wing Chun Kung Fu.
Rick Blackmore
Originally from W.A, I moved to Sydney. In 2001 I started training Wing Chun, joining the Manly Vale branch of the International Wing Chun Academy.
Within weeks I was hooked and started training as many nights as possible. Having done a little boxing and other styles, I was very skeptical about Kung Fu, but my doubts were squashed by every Academy Instructor I encountered. Then I met Sifu Jim at a branch visit and saw first hand that Masters do exist. No b/s, no magic, just focus, force and science.
I couldn’t stop training, this was all too intriguing. So for the next 5 years I continued. After attaining Level 1 and completing the Si Hing Training Course in 2005, I kept training and teaching part time until moving to the coast in 2006.
Becoming a part of the SCWC was a great opportunity to keep progressing in genuine Wing Chun. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone, regardless of styles past or present.
Kira Tarapanoff
My first introduction to Wing Chun was in 2000 on the Gold Coast when I walked into the IWCA for a trial class. I was very impressed with the techniques and the fact that WC is based on 5 principles instead of a reproduction of movements like most martial arts styles.
I am originally from Brazil, with a degree in PE and 8 years experience on the fields of fitness, PT and hydro activities. Currently I hold a position of instructor at the SCWC which I acquired in Sydney thought the IWCA where I did most of my training. I am now in the process of getting my Certificate IV in Sports Coaching ( Martial Arts).