Self defense, discipline, self respect and respect for others are just some of the valuable skills we teach within our training environment at KICKS After School. We aim to help your child/children achieve their best while relieving you of some of the demands and pressure from work commitments so you can truely enjoy your family time!
Get To Know Our World Class Instructors
A native born son to the city of Chicago Illinois Jeff Speakman started his athletic career very early in life. Training and competing as a gymnast during the school year and as a springboard diver in the summer consumed much of his young life.
Master Speakman’s talent as a springboard diver blossomed in high school where he set new records in the conference and district and earned the honor of being named All American without the assistance of a diving coach. Waiting for the bus at 5:30 a.m. every morning in the winters of Chicago to practice at the neighboring high school’s pool ultimately gave him the discipline and the drive to succeed.
Working his way trough his undergraduate studies at Missouri Southern State University Jeff Speakman was able to complete his degree in general psychology with a supporting area in biology. During his college years he began his martial arts career by earning a black belt in Japanese Goju-Ryu Karate from the legendary Master Lou Angel in 1980. Upon his graduation from college Mr. Angel told him to move to California to study Kenpo Karate from Master Ed Parker if he wanted to make martial arts his life.
Selling his car to pay for the U-Haul truck he was off to Los Angeles to follow his dream and feed his passion. Two years after arriving in Los Angeles Jeff Speakman was invited by Mr. Parker to join three other people at Mr. Parker’s house in Pasadena California to become what would be known as his last group of protégés.
He began studying acting at the same time with the same dedication he had approached everything else in his life. After five years of workshops, auditions and small bit parts here and there Jeff Speakman got his break with his first feature film with Paramount Pictures called “The Perfect Weapon”.
To date Master Speakman has starred in 10 feature films such as “Perfect Weapon” (Paramount), “Street Knight” (Warner Bros.) “The Expert” (MGM) and “Escape from Atlantis” (Universal) and produced 3 of those films.
In addition Master Speakman is a certified Defensive Tactics Instructor (DTI) for the Department of Justice, teaching DEA, FBI, Homeland Security and Department of State, and the “sharp edge weapons instructor” for the California Department of Corrections teaching at Pelican Bay and Folsom. Also he has been inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame, the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the Masters Hall of Fame.
Currently Master Speakman resides in Woodland Hills California where he oversees the largest Kenpo Karate organization in the world the AKKS and operates the Jeff Spreakman’s Kenpo Karate 5.0 franchise schools now in 20 counties. In addition Master Speakman has the Champions Foundation, a non-profit organization teaching the discipline of Kenpo Karate to underprivileged children currently in the U.S., Bolivia, Mexico, Germany and Australia.
I began training in martial arts at the age of 15 in Kyokushin Karate at the Parramatta Police Citizens’ Youth Club. Although I tried different styles such as boxing, kick boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), achieving a Blue Belt in BJJ and a Brown Belt in Kyokushin Karate, I soon found that I could not find a discipline that met all of my needs and answered all of my questions.
Still hungry for knowledge, I came across Kenpo through a friend who showed me a DVD of Larry Tatum. Shortly after, in 1999, I was introduced to Mr Jeff Speakman, a 7th Degree in the Kenpo Karate style, and I realised immediately that I had found a complete art with a true martial artist, a leader who led from the front. Not knowing who Mr Speakman was and not knowing anything about Kenpo, I did know that I wanted to be a Jeff Speakman Black Belt – not just in title, but in personality as well.
I achieved my goal after five years of every-day hard training. In 2004 in Las Vegas, I was tested for my 1st Degree Black Belt alongside my instructor and mentor (who was testing then for his 8th Degree Black Belt, he is now a 9th Degree Black Belt) and in front of a panel that consisted of Mr Lou Angel, Sigun Steve Labounty, Mr ‘Benny the Jet’ Urquidez, Mr Dan Inosanto and Mr Gokor Chivichyan. Two years later and again in Las Vegas I tested for my 2nd Degree Black Belt in front of a panel headed by Mr Lou Angel, Mr Jeff Speakman and Mr Eric Lee. I am now a 5th Degree Black Belt (the highest rank held in Australia) in Jeff Speakman’s Kenpo 5.0 as well as being a personal student of his, and am the American Kenpo Karate Systems (AKKS) representative for Australia.
Born and still living in Sydney, Australia, I run a school in Newington teaching Kenpo 5.0 as taught to me directly by Mr Speakman, the 9th degree Black Belt in Kenpo. To ensure I keep up to date with the latest information I travel interstate and overseas on a regular basis, and attend Mr Speakman’s yearly ‘Down Under’ training and teaching sessions.
Mr Speakman has always instilled in me the belief that life is about making a difference, that a true martial artist leaves the world a better place than he found it. In turn, this is the first thing I teach at my school. I am proud to be a Jeff Speakman Black Belt, to be part of his Kenpo 5.0 Family and the one he chose to lead Australia in the evolution of Kenpo 5.0. With the support and strength of all of the AKKS Schools across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, we will bring Kenpo 5.0 to this wonderful Country.
I work casually as a tactical defence instructor for Secta Security (the largest registered training organisation in Australia), teaching security guards correct eviction procedure, self defence and weapons training, and have also taught conflict resolution strategies to State Transit Authority employees.
I intend to keep my promise to Mr Speakman to promote and teach Kenpo 5.0 in Australia. I want to build a safe and friendly environment in which kids & adults can learn self defence and leadership skills, in the process further increasing my own knowledge in the amazing martial arts system called Kenpo 5.0.
My name is Lauren Campbell and I am a 5th Degree Black Belt in Jeff Speakman’s Kenpo 5.0.
I am currently an Instructor based in Sydney at the Kenpo 5.0 Head Quarters, with Australian Representative and 5th Degree Black Belt, Mr David Giovenco.
As a 9 year old looking to learn self-defence I was drawn to martial arts. With great commitment & determination I achieved my first Black Belt in 1995 as a 14 year old. As a teenager I focused on my studies & martial arts until completing my HSC.
In 2001 I discovered Kenpo and have dedicated myself to learning the art and essence of Jeff Speakman’s Kenpo 5.0 ever since. In 2002 I had the great opportunity to travel to Las Vegas to train with our inspirational leader Mr Jeff Speakman. I have returned on several occasions to represent Australia and to train and test alongside my international Kenpo family and friends.
I love the art of Kenpo 5.0 as it is a practical art. Not just for its practical application of self-defence but also for the way its lessons translate into everyday life. Kenpo teaches and requires Respect, Discipline, Commitment, Honour, Loyalty & Focus. In addition it teaches you how to deal with conflict, to have patience and a greater respect and understanding of people, their behaviours and awareness of your environment.
As an Instructor it has been amazing to watch the confidence of the students grow, as they learn, mature and build new friendships as they advance through the Kenpo Art.
Mr Speakman has taught me many things but most importantly:
Strive for excellence and never settle for the status quo
Never give up.
In addition to Kenpo I am also a qualified and practicing group fitness specialist and a qualified trainer. I hold a Certificate III in Fitness, Certificate IV in Training & Assessment and I hold a current Provide First Aid Certificate.
Something I believe in and have learnt along the way is:
“Respect yourself and one another, be disciplined to train and commit to learning the essence of the art, be loyal to your school and relationships, be honourable in your actions and words and love what you do and therefore do it with passion”.
Decide to be the best you can be and I will help you achieve things you never thought possible.
My active Judo and Kenpo trainings have given me a wealth of knowledge which I have incorporated in my love of teaching kids.
I have been a personal student of Mr. Giovenco since March 2010 and now have 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo 5.0. Having years of experience working with children and spent several years as a rugby coach and an acting teacher for young children and teens, I currently work as a childrens entertainer.
My strong passion for Kenpo, teaching and working with children and ability to interact easily make me an integral part of KICKS After School where I am a main instructor for the kids karate classes.
My name is Josh. My love for martial arts started from a young age when I would watch Asian/Kung Fu cinema and then my journey in martial arts started when I joined a karate dojo at age 10.
I have now been a student of Mr. Giovenco for 5 years and I hold the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt and I intend to attain my first degree black belt next year. I personally believe Kenpo is a great tool for shaping the generations to come by instilling important ideals and principals such as Discipline, Wisdom, Strength and Kindness.
Being part of the Instructor team I have seen first hand how the Kenpo 5.0 & the KICKS After School Program can make a difference to children both Mentally and Physically through the power of Martial Arts.
“Hello my name is kiana Giovenco ,
I’ve been doing karate for 9 years now and I’m a kids black belt and adults purple belt. I love teaching kids classes and feel that I can relate to them – since I have been through the entire kids curriculum.
I was the youngest the person to achieve junior blackbelt at the age of 12. I now am doing the adults program – Martial Arts has been a major part of my life and it has allowed me to share a special bond with my father. Martial arts has helped me excel at school and helped me develop into the person I am today. If you see me on the mat say hello I will be the one with the Big smile on the mat.”
