Coaching team

Our Coaches are skilled and experienced martial artists who are committed to the holistic development of our students. They bring a wealth of knowledge in various martial arts disciplines, ensuring that every class is both challenging and rewarding. Embodying the values of Astra, they are not just instructors but good-hearted individuals who care deeply about the well-being and growth of each student.

To ensure the highest standards of safety and professionalism, all our coaches are certified with Working With Vulnerable People (WWVP) checks and have first aid qualifications. Our senior coaches also have training certifications.

This blend of expertise, dedication, and compassion makes our coaching team central to Astra's mission of nurturing strong, capable, and community-minded individuals. We celebrate the diversity of martial arts experiences, body types, and lifestyles that our coaches bring to our students and community.

Founder and Head Coach - Kerstin Oberprieler

Kerstin has studied martial arts for over 25 years and is passionate about the life-changing effect martial arts can have for everyone, and especially kids and teens. Her achievements include internationally certified 5th Dan Black belt Taekwondo, 4th Dan Kyusho Jitsu, 1st Dan Kenpo Karate, Blue belt Brazilian Jujistu, and White shirt Kung Fu. Kerstin has represented Australia in Taekwondo several times and medalled at the Commonwealth Tkd Championships. Kerstin has competed at local and state BJJ competitions, and trained with various Masters and Grandmasters in Australia and overseas. Kerstin has had national coaching qualifications, referee qualitifications, and state and national sporting committee roles. She is First Aid qualified.

Kerstin holds a PhD in psychology and gamification and blends this knowledge with her vast martial arts and coaching experience.

Senior Coach - Michael Griffiths

Michael has many decades experience and senior ranks in several martial arts, including internationally certified 3rd Dan Taekwondo, 3rd Dan Kenpo Karate, 1st Dan MMA Black Belt, Judo, Zen Do Kai and Tang Soo Tao. Michael has competed in Taekwondo sparring, traditional forms, and board breaking events at State and National level, as well as several MMA cage fights.

Michael is an experienced coach for kids, teens, and adults. His three kids have grown up doing martial arts. Michael has experience as a martial arts competition coaching, grading examiner, and competition and event organised. Michael is a licensed second, coach and match maker, is First Aid qualified.

Senior Coach - Ewen Lee

Ewen has studied martial arts for 20 years, and his achievements include 4th Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo, 1st Dan Black Belt in Kyusho Jitsu, and 1st Dan Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. Ewen has competed at state, national and international competitions in Australia, Korea and Egypt. His competition experience includes sparring, poomsae, board breaking and self defence demonstration. He has studied under several Grand Masters in Australia and overseas.

Ewen is an experienced coach, having taught martial arts to kids, teens and adults for over a decade. Ewen has also led state, national and international teams and been a Taekwondo competition judge and referee.

Coach - Jennifer Bardsley

Jennifer starter her martial arts journey over 20 years ago in Taekwondo, having trained with several clubs over the years including training under Korean masters in France for over a year. Jen has achieved her 2nd Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo. Jen has also competed in Triathlons and won 3 national titles.

Coach - Dan Meadley

Dan has been studying martial arts since he was 6 years old. He has achieved a Junior Black Belt in Taekwondo, a Blue belt in Brazilian Jujitsu, and has also trained in Muay Thai and Kung Fu. Dan has also competed in BJJ competitions.

Coach - Tyler Campbell

Tyler has been training intensely in Mixed Martial Arts for about 2 years and has competed in 3 cage fights and a Brazilian Jujitsu competition. he has won all of his cage fights (finished two in under 60 seconds!). Tyler has a White Belt 3 Stripe in Brazilian Jujitsu and is actively competing in BJJ and MMA.