Coaches

​Michael Foley

Michael’s Background:

Michael Foley is a second generation martial artist who has been training since childhood. Foley’s Martial Arts was founded in 1978 by Michael’s father, Mike Foley Sr. Michael grew up participating in combat sports. He is a 7th degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and has an extensive background in Kickboxing as both a competitor and coach. His martial arts career has taken him to Brazil, Thailand, Greece, South Africa, the United States, and across Canada. In international competition Michael has stood on the podium numerous times for Canada as a member of the National Kickboxing Team. He has held both the Canadian and Atlantic Canadian amateur Kickboxing titles, and he took gold at the 2001 WPKA World Championships. His coaching credentials include certifications from Sport Canada and Kickboxing Canada. He is the current president of WAKO-NL, the governing body for amateur kickboxing in Newfoundland and Labrador. Michael has worked in film and television for over a decade as a stunt-actor and fight choreographer. He has worked fight scenes and stunts for the productions Republic of Doyle, Hudson and Rex, Frontier, Little Dog, SurrealEstate, Murdoch Mysteries, Son of a Critch, and Saint Pierre. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Memorial University with a major in English and a minor in Music.

Competition Highlights:

  • 1989 Bronze Kenpo ‘Top Ten’ Nationals, Montreal, QC.
  • 1991 Gold Kenpo CBN Open, Carbonear, NL.
  • 1996 Gold Kenpo St. John’s Open, St. John’s, NL.
  • 1999 Bronze Ontario Open, Hamilton, ON.
  • 2000 Gold WPKA Canada Cup, Burlington, ON.
  • 2001 Gold WPKA World Championships, Thessaloniki, Greece.
  • 2001 Double Gold KICKUSA International Martial Arts Festival, Orlando, FL, USA.
  • 2002 Gold WKA Canadian Nationals, Ottawa, ON.
  • 2005 Gold WKA Kickboxing, Buffalo, New York, USA.
  • 2006 Gold CASK Kickboxing Night of Champions, Oakville, ON.
  • 2007 CASK Atlantic Canadian Kickboxing title, St. John’s, NL.
  • 2010 CASK Canadian Kickboxing title, St. John’s, NL.
  • 2013 Silver IBJJF Montreal International Open, Montreal, QC.
  • 2016 Gold NAGA US Open, Orlando, FL, USA.

Coaching, Officiating, and First Aid Certifications:

  • NCCP level 2 nationally certified coach.
  • WAKO level 1 nationally certified Kickboxing coach.
  • WAKO level 2 nationally certified Kickboxing official.
  • Heart & Stroke Foundation Heart-saver CPR/AED.
  • St. John’s Ambulance Standard First Aid CPR-C & AED
  • Vulnerable sectors and background checks.

​William Smith

William’s Background:

William began training in 2003 shortly after Michael Foley’s Academy first opened. He has grown up in our programs starting with Kids’ Karate, then on to Kenpo Karate, Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and Kickboxing. His well rounded martial arts education and long competitive career has made him a versatile instructor.

Teaching Schedule:

William teaches all Saturday classes.

Competitive Highlights

  • 2016 Double silver NASKA US Open, Orlando, Florida, USA.
  • 2017 NLJJO lightweight blue belt title, Paradise, NL.
  • 2018 Bronze NASKA US Open, Orlando, Florida, USA.
  • 2023 Gold NASKA US Open, Orlando, Florida, USA.

Coaching and First Aid Certifications:

  • WAKO Level 1 nationally certified coach.
  • Heart & Stroke Foundation Heartsaver CPR/AED.
  • Lifesaving Society Standard First Aid with CPR-C
  • St. John’s Ambulance Standard First Aid CPR-C & AED

Chris Dyer

Chris’s Background:

In 2010, Chris started his training journey at Michael Foley’s Academy of Martial Arts and has since achieved a first-degree black belt in kenpo karate and a blue belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Chris, a dedicated athlete at the club, embodies the qualities of a positive role model, making him an exceptional instructor. Concurrently, Chris is working towards obtaining a business degree from Memorial University.

Chris’s Teaching Schedule:

Chris teaches all Saturday classes.

Chris’s Competitive Highlights

  • 2022 Double Gold Foley’s Martial Arts Invitational Tournament, St. John’s, NL
  • 2023 Gold WAKO National Championships, Niagara Falls, ON.
  • 2023 Silver WAKO National Championships, Niagara Falls, ON.
  • 2023 Bronze NLJJC Jiu Jitsu Championships, Mount Pearl, NL.

Coaching, Officiating, and First Aid Certifications:

  • WAKO Level 1 Nationally Kickboxing Coach.

Nick Yetman

Nicks’s Background:

Nick started Jiu Jitsu at 8 years old a grew up in the program, earning his yellow belt at 11, orange belt at 13, blue belt at 16, and purple belt at 18. Nick currently studies at Memorial University where he intends to be a teacher.

Competition Highlights:

  • 3 time junior provincial champion.
  • 2 time NLJJC bronze medalist.
  • High Tide bronze medalist.
  • Multiple time Battle on the Rock gold medalist.
  • WAKO kickboxing nationals silver medalist.
  • 2023 NLJJC Double Gold Men’s Purple Belt.
  • 2024 NLJJC Double Gold Men’s Brown Belt.

Coaching, Officiating, and First Aid Certifications:

  • Assistant coach of Kids’ Jiu Jitsu program.
  • Competition coach.
  • St. John Ambulance emergency first-aid.
  • Vulnerable sectors and background checks.

​Robert Shandera

Robert’s Background:

Robert has been training in the martial arts since the early 1990s and currently holds a third degree black belt in Kenpo Karate, brown belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, and green belt in Judo. An avid practitioner with competition experience, he brings his deep love and understanding of the martial arts to the mat with him every time he teaches. Robert is the assistant coach for our Tuesday and Saturday kids’ Jiu Jitsu classes, as well as Saturday Super Start kids’ karate.

Competition Highlights

  •  1999 Fourth place Ontario Open, Hamilton, ON.
  • 2013 Gold Copa da Terra Nova, St. John’s, NL.
  • 2016 Quarter finalist Abhaya Open, Halifax, NS.
  • 2017 Silver NLJJO, Paradise, NL.

Coaching, Officiating, and First Aid Certifications:

  • WAKO Level 1 Nationally Certified Coach
  • WAKO Level 2 Nationally Certified Official
  • St. John’s Ambulance Standard First Aid CPR-C & AED

Troy Penney

Troy’s Background:

Troy Penney is a hardworking dad of two girls, a dedicated husband and extremely motivated Martial Artist in Brazilian Jiu jitsu.

Troy was born and raised on the south coast of Labrador. He attended Memorial University in Corner Brook for two years before deciding to become a journey person carpenter. Troy continued on to St. John’s, NL where he studied and completed his journey person exam at the Carpenters Millright College. He set up his business which he has been successfully running for over 10 years.

Troy has always wanted to practice Martial Arts and finally took the dive in 2014 when he signed up for his first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class. He walked into Michael Foley’s Academy of Martial Arts and never looked back. He consistently trains 4+ times a week and has been coaching for 3 years. Troy has competed nationally and internationally in both gi and no gi divisions. He has taken home 1 Gold and 3 Silver medals. He also competes locally whenever possible and plans to stay competitive as long as fate allows. The drive to be better, stronger and learn more about the sport is what makes him a fantastic coach.

Competitive Highlights:

  • 2022 IBJJF Toronto Open silver medallist.
  • 2024 IBJJF Masters World Championship Competitor.

First Aid Certifications:

Stephanie Foley

Stephanie’s Background:

Stephanie started training in 2004 when the academy was located in Churchill Square, St. John’s. Through dedication and consistency, Stephanie has amassed many career wins in Sport Karate and Kickboxing competition including a 2014 WAKO North American title. Stephanie is a dedicated athlete who earned a spot on the Canadian national team which allowed her to compete across Canada, the USA, Italy and South Africa. As a coach at the academy, she is a positive role model for students and has a great energy when teaching Kickboxing, Karate, and Jiu Jitsu.

Stephanie has a degree in Kinesiology from Memorial University and a masters degree in Physiotherapy from Dalhousie University.

Competition Highlights:

  • 2014 Gold WAKO North American Championships.
  • 2015 WAKO Junior World Championship Competitor.

Chris Foley

Chris’s Background:

Chris Foley is a third generation martial artist.

Competition Highlights:

  • 2022 Silver Medalist WAKO National Championships, Niagara Falls, ON.
  • 2023 Silver Medalist WAKO National Championships, Niagara Falls, ON.
  • 2023 Bronze NASKA US Open, Orlando, Florida, USA.

Coaching, Officiating, and First Aid Certifications:

Rowan Foley

Rowan’s Background:

Rowan Foley is a third generation martial artist.

Competition Highlights:

  • 2022 Bronze WAKO National Championships, Niagara Falls, ON.
  • 2023 Bronze WAKO National Championships, Niagara Falls, ON.

Coaching, Officiating, and First Aid Certifications:

Muhammad Mansour

Muhammad’s Background:

Muhammad Mansour began training in Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing in 2011 under Michael Foley and started competing at the age of 14. He has competed in kickboxing both nationally and internationally in a variety of rule sets while also competing in boxing to strengthen his experience and knowledge. Muhammad has a purple belt in jiu jitsu and has a wealth of experience in competition.

Muhammad has coached since age 17 and has cornered several athletes including up to the professional MMA level. He always strives to expand his knowledge and has trained at major European gyms. Muhammad completed a master’s degree in England and currently works as a therapist. Since returning to Newfoundland, Muhammad has continued to coach the club’s athletes and works alongside Michael with WAKO NL.

Competition Highlights:

  • 2014 WAKO North American Bronze Medal
  • 2014 2x WAKO Nationals Open Class Silver Medal

Coaching, Officiating, and First Aid Certifications:

  • WAKO Level 1 Certified Coach
  • Wrestling NL Certified Coach