ABOUT US

The Jiyu-Shin Karate School is the oldest karate club in Peterborough, founded by Sensei Mark Bell in 1972. Several of Sensei Bell's first black belts still teach and train. Chito-Ryu is our formal style of karate. We also incorporates aspects from other martial arts into our curriculum.

Find out more about our instructors below.

OUR INSTRUCTORS

SENSEI JOHN MACCALLUM

Day Job: Technical Service Advisor

Started karate: 1990

Received my black belt: January 1996

Other martial arts training: Judo, Aiki jiu-jitsu

I joined karate because: I wanted to exercise and learn a martial art

I do karate now because: I enjoy breaking down technique I have performed over the year and am still able to find way to improve how I perform the techniques.

Other hobbies/interests: Motorcycles, volunteer firefighter, camping

SENSEI RICK MULLIN

Day Job: Retired; industrial electrician

Started karate: September 1975

Received my black belt: August 1981

Other martial arts training: None

I joined karate because: I was talked into trying karate by my brother in 1974 then started in 1975

I do karate now because: I have trained and continue to train with many very good martial artists and I am honoured to continue from their example. Now, it is my way of life.

Other hobbies/interests: Hunting

SENSEI MITCH MAXINE

Day Job: Business Owner - BAM Mascots

Started karate: 1985

Received my black belt: May 1988

Other martial arts training: Aikido (unranked), Judo (blue belt), grappling

I joined karate because: My brother convinced me to try it out

I do karate now because: I am slave to the structure and the physicality of the martial arts, karate specifically. That, and the undeniable link to an intellectual requirement are what keep me here

Other hobbies/interests: guitar, collecting miniature superhero replicas, working out

SENSEI SEANA FOSTER

Day Job: Business Owner - 360 Wellness Clinic, Registered Massage Therapist, Massage Therapy instructor

Started karate: 1996, picked up as an adult again in 2007

Received my black belt: September 2010

Other martial arts training: None

I joined karate because: As a kid I got bullied a lot, and my parents wanted me to be able to protect myself

I do karate now because: I enjoy the challenge, exercise, and beauty of karate. Also,the people involved have become a second family.

Other hobbies/interests: playing board games, Dungeons & Dragons, hand drumming

SENSEI DEVON MACCALLUM

Day Job: Paramedic

Started karate: 2004

Received my black belt: November 2012

Other martial arts training: None

I joined karate because: I wanted to start a sport the ran year round.

I do karate now because: I enjoy the training and being pushed to constantly improve.

Other hobbies/interests: guitar, volunteer firefighter

SENSEI MAX MACCALLUM

Day Job: University Student

Started karate: 2005

Received my black belt: June 2016

Other martial arts training: None

I joined karate because: My dad is the head instructor

I do karate now because: I enjoy it

Other hobbies/interests: Gaming