Our instructing team are all registered with the British Martial Arts and Boxing Association, hold up to date First Aid and Safeguarding Certifications, and Enhanced DBS Checks (with Barred Lists)
Matt Johnson, Head Coach
Matt is our Founder and Head Coach, with over 25 years in Martial Arts starting training in the late 1990s. He is passionate about keeping Karate practical and relevant, whilst ensuring inclusion, safety (physical, mental, emotional, and psychological), and fairness.
Matt currently holds a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Sport Karate and Kickboxing as awarded by the World Karate Union in 2024 (Del Sampson, 7th Dan – Matt Hyndman, 4th Dan), and a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Shukokai Karate (Brian Whatford 7th Dan, co-signed by Peter Consterdine, 10th Dan – British Combat Karate Association, English Karate Federation).
In 2023 Matt became WKU English Champion in Kumite (Karate fighting) and Kata (forms). In 2024 Matt competed in the WKU World Championships in Rhodes, Greece winning a world title in Kumite (-90kg) and silver medal in Kumite (-85kg), and placing 7th in Kata. Matt’s international career continues in Trier, Germany in October 2025 where he is competing in Kumite and coaching his son, Leo in what will be Leo’s first international competition, a place earned by winning the u12s under 35kg WKU English Kumite Championship in January 2025.
Matt was trained by Sensei Dave Ritchie in Falcon Karate Club and currently trains with Rhino Kickboxing in K1 and Thai under Stuart and Paige Harris as he prepares to continue testing his Karate in a full contact environment. Sensei Dave was trained alongside his brother George at Kofukan (Tani-ha Shitoryu, led by Keiji Tomiyama and Naoko Omi). We do not have or claim any current affiliation to Kofukan and hold them in the highest of esteem.
- 3rd Dan Sport Karate / Kickboxing
- 2nd Dan Traditional Shukokai Karate
- 25 years in Martial Arts
- WKU World Champion (Kumite) 2024
- WKU World Silver Medalist (Kumite) 2024
- WKU English Champion (Kumite) 2023
- WKU English Champion (Kata) 2023
- Various WKU Silver/Bronze medals in Kata and Kumite 2023 onwards
- WKU England Team Kumite Coach 2024
- WKU England Director of Strategy & Development (2025-)
- WKU LightCon & KickLight Judge at English and British Level (2023-2025)
- BMABA Registered Instructor
- EKF Certified Tatami Coach
- Kickboxing GB / WAKO Registered Kickboxing Coach
- BMABA Level 2 Certified Instructor
- Former Law Enforcement (Police Constable, BTP)
- NVQ Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning & Development
- Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator
- Trained in Safeguarding, Knife Crime and Serious Youth Violence, Trauma Informed Coaching, Concussion and Head Injury Management, Mental Health First Aid
Felicity Johnson, Asst Instructor
Felicity, or Flick for short, has been Matt’s “2nd In Command” since the formation of Oubaitori Karate Club in 2023.
Flick is passionate about progressing her “girl gang”, as well as a keen competition Kata Coach having produced a series of Gold-medal winning Kata Competitors.
A keen advocate for neurodiversity and supporting those with mental health Flick has long since been an asset to our instructing team, whose steadfast dedication to everyone who walks through our doors is evident to everybody who has trained with us.
For Flick, Karate Kickboxing isn’t just training – it’s family. As Matt’s wife and Leo’s mum, she brings a unique “Coach-Mum” perspective to the dojo and can’t wait for their daughter to be old enough to join them on the mats.
- 1st Kyu Brown Belt – Black Stripe (June 2024)**
- Awarded “Senpai” title in February 2023
- WKU England Team Selection 2024*
- WKU British Bronze Medalist Kumite 2024
- WKU British Bronze Medalist Veteran’s Kumite 2024
- Competition experience in Kata, Kumite, Point Fighting, and Continuous
- BMABA Level 1 Certified Instructor
- BMABA Registered Instructor
- WKU English/British Level Kata Judge
* Flick was selected for the Women’s Kumite Team for England to fight in the World Championships in Rhodes 2024. Due to pregnancy, she had to medically withdraw.
** Co-signed by Sensei Aaron Graver, 2nd Dan, WKU England
Sam Sheppard, Asst Instructor
Senpai Shep is another founding member of OKC, beloved “uke” (demonstration partner) of Matt and a fearsome warrior. Former Board Member/Director and committed student and assistant instructor Shep is a beloved member of the team.
Being Matt’s younger brother, Shep remembers some of the “old days” under Sensei Dave and brings that same fire and energy to his training today. Despite earning his purple belt under Sensei Dave, when returning to training in early 2022 Shep decided to grade from white belt again, earning his 3rd Kyu Brown Belt in December 2023.
- 3rd Kyu Brown Belt (December 2023)*
- Awarded “Senpai” title in September 2024
- Competition experience in Kumite and Point Fighting
- BMABA Registered Assistant Instructor
* Co-signed by Sensei Matt Hyndman, 4th Dan, WKU England
Emily Pianu, Membership & Governance Director
Emily started her relationship with the Club as a parent of a teen competitor, and has since started training herself with her younger sons. Sitting in one of our democratically appointed Director roles as the Director of Membership and Governance her role revolves around process, EDI, and protecting Matt and Flick from overworking themselves. Emily’s background in HR and Compliance makes her the perfect partner in transparent Governance and Member management.
Ciaran Heagren, Community Director
Ciaran currently sits in one of the democratically appointed roles on our Board, the Community Director. He’s been a committed member of the Club since its inception, gaining his 3rd Kyu Brown belt in September 2024 with competition experience in Kata and Kumite. Ciaran’s Director role sees him managing club committees and overseeing accountability within the administrative functions of the club.
Leo Johnson – Kids Comp Captain
HONOURABLE MENTION
At age 10, Leo is clearly not one of our official team. However he deserves recognition for his efforts for the Club.
Leo is Matt and Flick’s son, the Club’s most experienced competitor, WKU English Champion Kumite 2025 and England Team Member for Trier, Germany World Championships 2025.
More impressive than that, however, is his dedication to his team mates. He’s the loudest to cheer, the most enthusiastic supporter, and the first to volunteer to help anyone. He especially shines as a “buddy” for first lesson students who always warm to his friendly energy immediately.
Leo is part of the furniture and culture at OKC, and we’re proud of the impact he has on his team mates and how he models not just the performance, but the behaviours, discipline, and empathy expected of our senior grades.
- 3rd Kyu Brown Belt (December 2023)*
- WKU English Champion Kumite 2025 (-12 years, -35kg)
- WKU England Team Competitor, Kumite 2025 (WKU World Championships in Trier, Germany – results pending)
- WKU British Silver Medal Kata 2023
- WKU British Bronze Medal Kumite 2024
- 25+ medals, 40+ competition entries across Point Fighting, LightCon, Kata, and Kumite since 2023
- Training since age 4 (January 2020)
* Co-signed by Sensei Matt Hyndman, 4th Dan, WKU England