INSTRUCTORS

Sensei Phill 4th Dan
Chief Instructor
Secretary General of So-Kyokushin UK

Sensei Phill is the Chief Instructor of Barry Kyokushin Honbu Dojo, the very club where his Kyokushin journey began at the age of 11 under the instruction of Sensei Richard Males.
For 20 years, Phill trained under Sensei Richard, developing his skills and deepening his understanding of Kyokushin karate. When Sensei Richard retired, Phill, then a Senpai, stepped into the role of Chief Instructor at the age of 33, taking on the responsibility of guiding the next generation of karateka.

His own grading journey has been one of perseverance and dedication. Phill achieved his Shodan (1st Dan) in 2008 and was made Assistant Instructor, before earning his Nidan (2nd Dan) in 2013. In 2017, he travelled to Japan to the sacred Mitsumine Shrine, where he successfully graded to Sandan (3rd Dan) under Kancho Matsui. His commitment and leadership continued to flourish, and in March 2023, Phill achieved his Yondan (4th Dan) in front of the So-Kyokushin UK grading panel, becoming the first person in the history of Barry Kyokushin to reach this prestigious rank.

In March 2021, Phill made the bold decision to move the dojo away from IKO, believing that its direction no longer reflected the true spirit of Kyokushin. He joined So-Kyokushin UK under Shihan Mac Robertson, where his leadership and organisational skills quickly saw him appointed Secretary General and Executive Committee Member. Barry Kyokushin was soon recognised as the Headquarters of So-Kyokushin UK, a reflection of Phill’s high standards and the respect he commands across the organisation. He also serves on the National Grading Panel for So-Kyokushin UK.

Beyond teaching, Phill is a qualified National Referee and International Judge, representing the UK at tournaments across Europe, including Bulgaria, Poland, France, and Germany, as well as at the prestigious World Tournament in Japan. His diplomatic approach and strong international connections led to his appointment as Secretary for Europe, where he works to strengthen ties between European organisations and Japan, managing communications and promoting events across the continent. www.sokyokushin.eu

What sets Sensei Phill apart is not only his personal achievements but also the opportunities he has created for others. Over the years, he has inspired countless students, helping them discover their potential both on and off the tatami. Many of his students have competed nationally and internationally, gained referee and judging qualifications, and even taken on teaching roles themselves – opportunities they may never have had elsewhere. His passion lies in seeing others succeed and in building a dojo where everyone can achieve more than they thought possible.
Sensei Phill continues to embody the values of Kyokushin – perseverance, humility, and spirit – while leading Barry Kyokushin Honbu Dojo as a place of excellence, opportunity, and inspiration.

Sensei Rhian 3rd Dan
Instructor

Sensei Rhian began her Kyokushin journey at Barry Kyokushin Dojo at the age of 16. Over more than a decade of dedicated training, she has become one of the club’s most accomplished martial artists, balancing success as a competitor, referee, and senior instructor.

During her competitive career, Rhian has achieved remarkable success, winning 11 National Kata titles and 1 Knockdown title, with her most recent national victory at the 2025 So-Kyokushin UK Championships. On the international stage, she has represented Barry Kyokushin and So-Kyokushin UK with distinction. Rhian competed in the World Championships in Japan (2017 and 2023), as well as the European Championships in France (2017), Bulgaria (2018), and Poland (2019), where she achieved a European ranking of 5th place. She was the first individual in the history of Barry Kyokushin to compete at this level, paving the way for future generations.

Her grading journey has been equally inspiring. Rhian achieved her Shodan (1st Dan) at the IKO Summer Camp in Brecon in July 2018, becoming only the second senior female black belt and the 13th Shodan in the club’s 40-year history. In March 2022, following the club’s transition to So-Kyokushin, she was promoted to Nidan (2nd Dan), marking another milestone as the first female in the dojo’s history to earn this rank. Most recently, in September 2025, Rhian achieved the prestigious rank of Sandan (3rd Dan). This promotion recognises not only her technical ability and competitive achievements, but also her continued dedication to teaching, refereeing, and representing the club at the highest level. Her Sandan is a testament to years of perseverance, hard training, and commitment to the values of Kyokushin karate.

Beyond her grading and competition, Rhian has actively expanded her martial arts knowledge by attending referee courses, summer camps, weapons seminars, and Iain Abernethy seminars. She is a fully qualified National Judge and Referee and has officiated at national tournaments. She has also been honoured as Barry Kyokushin Student of the Year (2013 & 2014) and was awarded Competitor of the Year at the British Martial Arts Awards in 2017.
Rhian also attended the prestigious Mitsumine Camp in Japan (2017) alongside Sensei Phill during his Sandan grading – a formative experience that deepened her connection with the wider Kyokushin community.

Sensei Rhian’s journey from beginner to Sandan is one of determination, achievement, and leadership. She continues to be a role model and trailblazer, inspiring students at Barry Kyokushin and beyond to pursue excellence both on and off the tatami.

Aimee 2nd Kyu

Instructor

Aimee is an Instructor at Barry Kyokushin, where she plays a key role in developing both young and beginner students.


She has been an integral part of our Little Spartans program, taking a leading role in teaching and mentoring other staff members to follow in her footsteps. Her natural ability to engage and inspire has made her a driving force in the success of the program.


Building on this, Aimee now leads instruction within our Beginner Kyokushin classes and our intermediate classes, where her students continue to progress to a high standard, with many successfully achieving their first gradings under her guidance. Her passion for teaching and dedication to her students are evident in every class she leads.


Alongside her teaching, Aimee is also a committed competitor. Since achieving her Orange Belt, she has consistently competed in Kata, placing in every Kyokushin tournament she has entered. She has recently begun her Knockdown career, gaining valuable experience on the mats as she looks to challenge herself further. Aimee has set her sights on representing So-Kyokushin UK on the World Stage in Japan in 2027.


In addition to instructing and competing, Aimee is making her mark in refereeing. Following her excellent work at recent organisation events, she was promoted to Associate Referee, a recognition of her knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to the art. She is now focused on achieving international judging status from 2026 onwards, continuing to broaden her contribution to Kyokushin karate both on and off the tatami.



Aimee’s journey from student to instructor, competitor, and official is a testament to her dedication, hard work, and passion. She is a role model within the dojo and a shining example of the spirit of Kyokushin.