Derek Minus, 5th dan

Derek Minus is the chief instructor at the Ku-ring-gai dojo, which he established in 1982.

Ranked 5th Dan by the Aiki-Kai International, he has been teaching Aikido for over 25 years and is also qualified to instruct Aiki-ken (sword) and Aiki-jo (staff), holding four weapons teaching certificates awarded by Morihiro Saito Sensei.

Before coming to Aikido, he trained in Kyokushinkai karate, in which he holds a black belt rank, Taiki-ken, a Japanese derivative of Hsing I-ch'uan and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (a classical Japanese staff art)

Derek started Aikido practice in 1972 with Sugarno Sensei, the Aikikai representative for Australia.  However, it was his present teacher, Saburo Takayasu 6th dan shihan, who introduced him to the powerful Aikido of the Iwama dojo in 1976, when he was able to throw him easily in response to an attack.

As in all good martial arts tales, he became Takayasu Sensei's first Australian student and has continued to study with him to this day. In 1980 he travelled to Japan for an extensive period of study and practice with Takayasu Sensei's teacher and then headmaster of the Iwama dojo, Morihiro Saito Sensei 9th dan.

Derek has been instrumental in helping establish and direct the Takemusu Aiki Association Inc. in New South Wales in order to promote Aikido, particularly the technical curriculum entrusted by the founder, O'Sensei to Saito Sensei.

Derek Minus 5th dan - Chief Instructor

Mike Carter 2nd dan - Assistant Instructor

Mike CArter, 2nd dan

Mike Carter is an assistant instructor and has been a student at the Ku-ring-gai dojo for 15 years.

Mike takes primary responsibility for the Beginners courses to ensure that all new students have a solid basis of understanding from which to develop their Aikido form.

Mike has a background in Asian martial arts. He trained in Budok-Kan karate for seven years in the '70s achieving Shodan black belt grade. He also trained in Tai Chi Chuan for 2 years before starting
Aikido in 1993.

Mike lives on the central coast, so three times every week for the past 15 years he has made the one hour trip from his home to Aikido practice - a good example for the many students who think that they have to travel too far to the dojo.

RORY McLeod, 2nd dan

Rory McLeod is an assistant instructor at the Ku-ring-gai dojo and now in his 15th year of practice with the Club.

Rory sampled a number of martial arts in his youth including Judo and Tai Chi. However, it was not until his early forties that he discovered Aikido. Since then he has trained regularly at the Ku-ring-gai dojo and is now a second dan black belt. This shows that its never too late to take up the art of Aikido.

Rory has also trained at the Iwama dojo in Japan and has attended numerous Aikido seminars presented by international instructors in Australia. He was the foundation instructor for the children's class and is also an instructor with the adults classes during the week.

Rory McLeod 2nd dan - Assistant Instructor