Meet our Head Instructor

Professor Karl Slattery 

 1st Degree Black Belt BJJ Instructor 

Karl is a local living in the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire in Byford WA 6122 for the last 6 years with his family. A dedicated martial artist and instructor with a deep-rooted passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A 1st degree Black Belt under Professor Dean Whittington, he was awarded his Black Belt Certification in 2022 by Professor John B Will and Professor Dean Whittington, Karl has been training since 2009 and embodies the philosophy that a strong academy culture is the backbone of student success.

Recognizing that every student has unique reasons for training—whether for exercise, self-defense, community, or competition—Karl fosters an inclusive training environment that embraces individual goals while nurturing growth and camaraderie. As an instructor, he prioritizes cultivating club culture, ensuring that every student, from casual practitioners to dedicated competitors, feels valued and supported in their journey.

Known among his students as the "Dark Arts Instructor," Karl specializes in advanced Jiu-Jitsu techniques, including leg locks, Kimura trap, lapel trapping, and choking systems, and is very partial to biceps, forearm, and calf slicers. With a strong emphasis on breaking mechanics, pressure immobilisation, and technical efficiency, he continuously refines his approach to ensure effectiveness in both Gi and No-Gi settings.

While he appreciates the freedom and less restrictive submission ruleset of No-Gi, Karl's true passion lies in Gi Jiu-Jitsu—a realm where strategy, grip fighting, and the ever-evolving technical aspects of modern Jiu-Jitsu thrive. He is committed to deep-diving into the latest techniques, always striving to evolve as both a practitioner and instructor.

An eternal student of the martial arts, Karl's journey began at a young age, with extensive backgrounds in Taekwondo, Silat PD, MMA, Muay Thai, and Karate. However, it was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that ultimately brought his self-defense system together, solidifying his belief in its effectiveness and versatility.

Beyond his personal practice, Karl is passionate about developing his students and competitors, sharing his wealth of knowledge, and ensuring they grow both technically and mentally within the art. His philosophy is simple yet profound: every student matters, and an academy flourishes when its members are supported, appreciated, and driven toward their individual goals.