About AOGKF National

The one of the largest Okinawan Karate organisations in Australia

AOGKF National is Japan recognised and is an official representative of the International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-Do Federation (IOGKF International), which is one of few world bodies recognised by the Japanese Federal Government as an official traditional martial arts Federation. Goju-ryu Karate, under the auspices of Master Morio Higaonna has been practiced in Australia even before the formation of the world body in 1979. IOGKF Karate has been practiced in our country for over 40 years and one man who has been there since the beginning of Master Higaonna’s legacy in Australia is Sensei Joe Roses, the chief instructor of IOGKF/AOGKF in Australia.

In July 2012, Master Higaonna (74 years old at the time), stepped back from his role as World Chief Instructor of IOGKF and appointed Sensei Tetsuji Nakamura as his successor. It was around the same time that Sensei Nakamura approved a restructure of IOGKF in Australia, which resulted in the birth of the AOGKF – a newly structured and organised federation to preserve the cultural treasure of Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate for future generations, along with making it available to all Australian’s irrespective of race, creed of gender. A new modern organisation to present Goju-ryu Karate in a new way for members of new and old.

Since 2012 the AOGKF has blossomed under the leadership of Sensei Roses and the AOGKF executive committee and has become the largest authentic Okinawan Karate organisation in the country. The passion, dedication and commitment of all AOGKF instructors and members has lead to the cultivation of the ‘karate family’. AOGKF welcomes all newcomers to the organisation regardless of race, gender, culture, creed, religion, previous affiliation or previous martial arts background.

AOGKF has grown from strength to strength, taking teams of over 100 people to Okinawa, Japan along with hosting the largest IOGKF event ever held within the Oceania region. Every member of the IOGKF Executive Committee has been hosted in Australia, along with a senior techincal advisior of the organisation, by the AOGKF.

AOGKF Structure

AOGKF is run by a team of dedicated Australian instructors & members. We have a full organisational structure consisting of a Chief instructor, Chairperson, executive committee, treasurer, administrative team, event staff and more. A not for profit organisation, the federation has its own specially designed support network to ensure all activities are carried out in an efficient and professional manner. The current AOGKF structure is as follows:

IOGKF COUNTRY CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
Sensei Joe Roses

AOGKF CHAIRMAN
Sensei Kevin Nash

AOGKF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sensei Joe Roses
Sensei Kevin Nash
Sensei David Lambert

AOGKF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Secretary General: Sensei David Lambert
Treasurer: Sensei Michael Scott
Registration officer: Sensei Luke Drady

Merchandise officer:

Webmaster:

MEDIA ASSISTANTS:

Design & Website:

Graphic Design: Knockout Photography Design

Lead Photographer:

AOGKF Executive Committee

Sensei Joe Roses

IOGKF Country Chief Instructor

Sensei Roses is a 7th Dan instructor and the highest grade in Australian IOGKF history. He is also a 2nd Dan in Jujitsu & a 1st Dan in Kyokushinkai. He has been a dedicated student of Master Higaonna since before the foundation of IOGKF World wide and is one of IOGKF's highest ranked exponents.

Sensei Kevin Nash

AOGKF Chairman

Sensei Kevin Nash is a 6th Dan in IOGKF. He is an accomplished instructor having trained for over 35 years. Sensei Nash is chairman of the AOGKF and oversees the running of the organisation through the executive committee and ensures quality maintained.

Sensei David Lambert

AOGKF Executive Committee Member

Sensei David Lambert (DJ) is a 4th Dan in IOGKF. He is the final member of the AOGKF executive committee and along with acting as secretary general for the organisation, manages and takes care of the day to day running of our large Federation.

IOGKF International in Australia