About | TSKF Five Dock

ABOUT US

Traditional Shotokan Karate Federation

Five Dock Dojo

TSKF Five Dock Dojo resides within the City of Canada Bay, in the inner west of Sydney. Our mission is to promote the many benefits derived through diligent karate practice to residents and community members within our suburbs. We are also much more than that though.

TSKF Five Dock is also a club affiliated to the parent body of Traditional Shotokan Karate Federation Australia (TSKFA). With over 30 dojos and more than 1200 members TSKFA is a well-established federation with over 45 years of proud history. Our chief instructor, Takahashi Shihan OAM has been coming to Australia twice yearly for those past 45 years. An outstanding commitment by anyone’s standards, it’s exactly this dedication that has fostered a culture of exceptionally high standards and commitment to the Martial discipline of Karate-do throughout the TSKF clubs Australia wide.

Our club, situated on the beautiful ‘Bay Run’ foreshores at Rodd Point has arguably one of the finest views from any dojo floor. It doesn’t make the training any easier but that change breeze blowing through the dojo on a hot summer night certainly helps.

Five Dock dojo runs weekly training classes for both junior and adult students. We cater for beginners, intermediate and advanced karateka.

Come along for a chat or try out a lesson. Karate really is for everyone and you can start from the age of 5 years old with no upper age limit.

OUR INSTRUCTORS

We’ve worked hard to get to where we are today, and are proud to say our team is more talented than ever before. All our instructors are certified as qualified instructors under the TSKFA body, working with children registered in NSW and themselves active practitioners and competitors today. Five Dock Dojo is one of many clubs in NSW, however currently the only one in the Sydney region. The President of NSW and our Sensei is 7th Dan Ian Harris Sensei. Harry Sensei visits us frequently and we are grateful for his continued support and guidence. Take a look below to learn more about each individual, and get in touch to learn more.

SENSEI ANDY MCKECHNIE

Dojo Head (4th Dan)

Andy Mckechnie Sensei, Dojo Head TSKF Five Dock, Yondan (4th Dan) Certified Instructor under TSKFA and ISKF. Registered Referee C grade qualified. Working with Children Certified and a first aider.

Andy Started his karate journey in 1985 in the style of Wado Ryu at the age of 17 in England under the auspicious guidance of 6th Dan (now 8th Dan) Les Birkin. Achieving 1st Kyu brown belt in 1990 before relocating to Dusseldorf Germany for work and continuing with Sensei Peter Meuren then 4th Dan instructor.

It wasn’t until 2002 having returned to England that Andy began his Shotokan Karate training with the renowned Karate Union of Great Britain who’s Chief instructor is Andy Sherry Sensei (9th Dan). Training in Colchester under Peter Heal Sensei and grading Shodan in December 2004 and then Nidan in March 2008 just prior to leaving England for Australia. During this time in England Andy trained with some of the best karateka in the world; from KUGB Andy Sherry Sensei, Terry O’Neill Sensei, Frank Brennan Sensei, Bob Poynton Sensei and Bob Rhodes Sensei. Under SKIF the legendry Hirokazu Kanazawa, his son Nobuaki Kanazawa and Chief Instructor Manabu Murakami Sensei. Special courses and seminars with Simon Oliver Sensei JKR completed the first class line-up of notable and respected instructors that Andy had the good fortune to learn from.

If you were to ask Andy about his foundation training whilst living in the UK he’d tell you that he owes all he’s learnt from these masters who spent time teaching him with a special mention to Peter Heal Sensei who instructed him through his Shodan and Nidan grading.

Emigrating to Australia in 2008 saw Andy join Traditional Shotokan Karate Federation under Chief Instructor Takahashi Shihan OAM. TSKFA have embraced Andy into their organisation and enabled him to have the opportunity to create his own Dojo in Sydney, compete and win at state level in Queensland and NSW titles championships, attend Aoyama Gakuin University Gasshuku in Japan in 2012 and again in 2016. Andy graded to Sandan (3rd Dan) in August 2016 and post Covid graded to Yondan (4th Dan) in March 2023 at the TSKFA Nationals in SA under Takahashi Shihan’s instruction proud events in his karate journey.

Today you will find Andy teaching and training at Dobroyrd Sailing Club with its beautiful wooden floor and panoramic views over the bay looking onto Sydney City. TSKF Five Dock is a young dojo, into its 10th year in 2025. Membership continues to grow and the club is already creating a name for itself.

‘Regular and focused training throughout the year certainly pays off’ - ‘I couldn’t be more proud of the effort and results from the students’ Andy remarked.

SENPAI CAMERON SMITH

Assistant Instructor (2nd Dan)

Cameron Smith began his karate study with Harry Sensei in Lismore NSW in 2000. Training weekly and with diligence it was a proud moment when Cameron graded Shodan, black belt 1st Dan in 2008.

Representing Five Dock Dojo in the NSW state competitions in men’s open kumite, individual and team kata it’s clear that karate is a passion for Cam who enjoys the self-confidence and self-control the study of karate-do builds.

A certified TSKF Instructor, qualified D grade judge and a first aider Cameron contributes to the club as an invaluable support Instructor for the weekly kids’ classes. His current focus is diligently training towards his Sandan grading, 3rd Dan black belt.

Student Spotlight - Massimo Costa-Puntillo

Assistant (2nd Dan)

Massimo Costa Puntillo began his karate training with TSKF Five Dock in 2017, alongside his brother and cousins. Growing up in a close and supportive family, he quickly embraced the opportunity to attend his first nationals in South Australia. There, he was inspired by the expansive community of fellow karateka and world-class Japanese instructors, igniting a passion for the sport that continues to thrive today.

From the outset, Massimo showed a natural talent for kumite and a strong work ethic that propelled his progress. His dedication has allowed him to compete at club, state, and national levels. Notably, he was selected as one of three young athletes to represent Australia under 18 at the ISKF World Cup in London 2024, where he and his teammates won the gold medal for the under 18 team kumite title, making him a world champion before the age of 17.

Massimo exemplifies what can be achieved through commitment and discipline. He continues to train with focus and determination, seizing every opportunity to compete at TSKF events nationwide. Recently, at the 2025 Nationals in Perth, he was awarded the Junior Spirit Award and secured gold in both kumite and kata, earning the title of National Champion.

We are immensely proud of Massimo and the example he sets for our students. He actively contributes to the dojo by leading warm-ups and coaching younger students in their karate journey. Despite being early in his own journey, he has already accomplished so much.

Massimo's story is a testament to the belief that tenacity and commitment, supported by a loving family, can lead to remarkable achievements. Our dojo is dedicated to helping your child make the impossible possible. With the right guidance and support, who knows? Your child could be our next champion at TSKF Five Dock!