Our Coaches

GERRY YOUNG - HEAD COACH BJJ, Muay Thai & MMA

Qualifications: BJJ 2nd Degree Black Belt, Hapkido Black Belt, Cert 4 in Fitness, Diploma in Remedial Massage, Practitoner of Ortho-Bionomy

Gerry began his martial arts training in Hapkido and started to incorporate BJJ in his training in 2002 with Adam Newton. Gerry has instructed at several gyms including Tigers Eye Muay Thai and  BJJ Hobart. Gerry also studied and instructed at Hybrid Training Centre, a Mixed Martial Arts gym. Gerry is also the owner and head coach of Derwent Valley Martial Arts in New Norfolk. Gerry was awarded his black belt in BJJ by Adam Newton and Thiago Stefanutti in October 2016, making Gerry one of the first in the state to reach this rank.

In addition to martial arts, Gerry has a passion for functional strength and fitness training. As such he has a long history of kettle bell and barbell training as well as developing goal specific fitness programs.

Gerry has extensive experience coaching all aspects of BJJ, submission wrestling and MMA and has coached dozens of successful BJJ competitors and MMA fighers. Gerry is also an experienced MMA referee and judge.

Gerry is also a massage therapist and Ortho Bionomist working with clients of all ages on a variety of soft tissue and joint issues. As a therapist Gerry is very aware of the effect of the nervous system on our day to day life and so is passionate about creating a safe space for everyone, both on and off the mat.

ADAM NEWTON - BJJ COACH

Qualifications: BJJ 4th Degree Black Belt, Judo Black Belt, accomplished Muay Thai fighter

Adam is the head coach of Sorell Martial Arts Academy and a regular guest instructor at Hobart Martial Arts Academy. Adam has had a lifetime of experience training in martial arts, starting at a young age with Judo. Adam then went on to train Muay Thai and competed in several professional fights. Adam took up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1996 and has dedicated himself to this art since then. Adam was the first Tasmanian to reach the ranks of blue, purple, brown and black belt and most Tasmanian BJJ practitioners can trace their BJJ lineage to Adam.

Adam is an experienced coach in BJJ, Judo and Muay Thai as well as in Mixed Martial Arts. He is renowned for his detailed instruction and his ability to relate to his students. Adam is also sought after for private instruction in BJJ and MMA.

DAVID LEIGHTON - MUAY THAI HEAD COACH

Qualifications: 20 years of Muay Thai experiences, 15 years coaching experience.

David has been around all facets of the Muay Thai game and has extensive experience as a coach. He has cornered fighters in Australia and New Zealand, for Australian, Oceania and even World titles.

There is no question that David is one of the most respected Muay Thai coaches around and the mental preparation he helps his fighters with is a big part of the reason why.

David's specialties include fighter preparation, conditioning and Muay Thai techniques. David’s PT’s are some of the most feared in the business, you really should book one in with him…. if you are brave enough!

RYAN MAZENGARB – BJJ COACH

Qualifications; BJJ Black Belt, Judo yellow belt, Luta livre yellow belt.

Ryan started training judo in high school at Clarence PCYC reaching yellow belt. He discovered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while serving with the Royal Australian Air Force in Adelaide. In 2012 he left his career to go travelling through South America. During his nine month journey Ryan trained in brazil, Peru, Colombia and the USA. While in Peru, Ryan trained in Luta Livre, the original rival to Gracie Jiu Jitsu which focuses heavily on wrestling takedowns and is only trained No Gi. Ryan competed in a Luta Livre tournament and was graded to yellow belt. Ryan is an active competitor who has competition experience in South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Peru. Ryan was promoted to BJJ Black Belt in 2022 due to his technical understanding, competitive skills and teaching aptitude. Ryan is the first student to be promoted to Black Belt under HMAA Head Coach Gerry Young

PARK HYUNG WOOK "JAY" - MUAY THAI COACH

Qualifications: Tae Kwon Do Black Belt, Experienced Muay Thai, Kick Boxing, Taekwondo fighter & coach in Australia, Thailand and South Korea.

Jay started his Tae Kwon Do when he was 4 year old in South Korea for fun and from there he fell in love martial arts. Jay's first fight was when he was 7 years old in Tae Kwon Do, and he started to fight seriously when he was 8 years old.

Jay decided to make the change to training in Muay Thai and Kick Boxing when h was 14 years old. Jay alsways trained hard and continued to fight and compete every year, moving into professional fights. In an effort to learn more about Muay Thai, Jay travelled to Thailand to train and fight. Jay trained in some of the most notable gyms in Thailand including: Banchamek, FA Group, RSM Academy and Falun Muay Thai gym in Bangkok, Thailand.

Jay, also a talented chef, move to Australia in 2014, where he settled in Melbourne and continued to train at Fight Club in Melbourne, with Chris and George Kolovos. In 2021, Jay moved to Tasmania where he joined the Hobart Martial Arts Academy team, where he fits right in. Jay has had over 60 fights in his career including Muay Thai, Kick Boxing and Tae Kwon Do in Australia, Thailand and South Korea.

Jay's experience is exceptional and brings high level skills, particularly in kicking and clinch work to the team. Jay's competition experience is also extremely valuable to anyone looking to become a fighter.

ANDI HITCHCOCKS - MUAY THAI COACH

Qualifications: National Diploma in Sports Science, Diploma in Sports Nutrition and Personal Training

Andi, originally from Birmingham in England has a vast amount of experience within martial arts and has fought and trained with and alongside some of the biggest names in fighting. After over 50 competitive bouts in Boxing and Muay Thai, Andi moved into coaching and has had successes in boxing training Scotlands first female medal winner in the Commonwealth Games. Andi transitioned into mixed martial arts and was head striking coach for SBG Moray in Scotland, training, coaching and cornering some of Scotlands biggest MMA stars competing on the likes of Cagewarriors, Europe's biggest mma promotion.

BRAD HUTCHISON - BJJ COACH

Qualifications: BJJ Black Belt

Brad started his BJJ training in April 2010 under Adam Newton, Gerry Young and Pete Rogers and has been a regular and dedicated member of the team at HMAA ever since. Brad has a long career of BJJ coaching following on from a experience coaching after schools sports programs for kids.

Brad was awarded his Blue Belt by Adam Newton in 2013, becoming the first blue belt to be awarded at Hobart Martial Arts Academy. In 2023 he received the third ever Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt awarded by Gerry Young at Hobart Martial Arts Academy.

Brad has a long career as a successful competitor and is known for his laser focus and technique specialisation. Brad maintained a 2 year undefeated streak and has competed all over Australia.

Brad was the first Mat Devil's coach at Hobart Martial Arts Academy, where he taught countless kids for several years. You can now find Brad teaching BJJ on Tuesday nights. Brad offers experience, knowledge and passion to his students, a perfect fit for Hobart Martial Arts Academy.

BILLY BURTON - BJJ COACH

Qualifications: BJJ Black Belt, Taekwondo Black Belt

Billy started his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training in the late 1990’s, attending the first John Will seminar in Tasmania and then went on teach classes at the University and Hobart PCYC. Billy was a a pioneer of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Tasmania and in October 1999 became the third Tasmanian to receive his BJJ Blue Belt, following from Adam Newton and Clancy Roberts. In 2004 Billy, along with Adam and Clancy opened Hobart Mixed Martial Arts Academy, the first full time MMA gym in Tasmania.

Billy was one of Hobart Marital Arts Academy Head Coach Gerry Young's first coaches and has been a guiding hand for BJJ in Tassie from it's inception.

After a brief break from the mats, Billy came back in 2015 and since then has received his Purple, Brown and Black Belts from Gerry Young.

Billy teaches lunchtime classes and is always ready with a smile and encouragement for all of his training partners.

JASON COOK - MAT DEVILS JIU JITSU COACH

Qualifications: BJJ Blue Belt

Jason started his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training in the mid to late 1990’s when his Tae Kwon Do coach attended the first John Will seminar in Tasmania and over the next couple of decades he drifted in and out of BJJ at various clubs for short stints. In between these short stints of wrestling he went on to a career in Information Technology where after working as a computer technician, a system administrator and a network engineer he is currently employed as a network architect. His current role revolves around drawing pictures that most people don’t understand and nobody thinks are pretty!

Along the way Jason has also developed a lifelong habit of picking things up and putting them back down again. This powerlifting history has resulted in having relatively strong opinions about many strength and conditioning practices in regards to applying force safely and a healthy scepticism of many fitness influencers. As he continues lifting into middle age he is ‘gaining an appreciation’ for the changes necessary to continue training as his bodies recovery mechanisms slow down.

Jason re-started in BJJ in July of 2019 when he brought his children along to the Mat Devils class and Gerry asked him when he was getting back on the mat! In November of 2021 he was awarded his Blue Belt by Gerry at Hobart Martial Arts Academy.

In the second half of 2020 Jason asked Gerry if he could volunteer to assist with the Mat Devils class as he is passionate about the community that has built up around the Hobart Martial Arts Academy and in particular in assisting children to grow and learn something that is both physically and mentally challenging.

CALUM YOUNG - MUAY THAI & BJJ COACH

Qualifications: BJJ Brown Belt, Experienced MMA fighter

Calum started his martial arts training in Hapkido and Jiu Jitsu with Gerry Young in 2005 and got serious about training in 2013 at Hobart Martial Arts Academy. He has been the most consistent face in the gym for most of this time. Calum has embraced Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai training making him a favourite in both classes.

Calum has competed many times in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Submission Wrestling and Combat Jiu Jitsu and has had 5 MMA bouts, in 2021 he was promoted to the rank of BJJ Brown Belt by HMAA head coach Gerry Young. His focus on technique and his easy going nature make him a perfect fit as a coach at Hobart Martial Arts Academy.

DAVID SCOTT - TEENS MUAY THAI COACH

Qualifications: 3 years Muay Thai experience

David has been training at Hobart Martial Arts Academy for the past 3 years and has also trained overseas. Dave is lilving proof of the saying, big things come in small packages. Dave, is intelligent, sensitive, but is also technical and packs a punch (and kick….)

David works hard on meeting students where they are and because of this he is amazing with our teens. You can find David on the mat on Saturday mornings at 10.45 leading the Teens class.