Tiny Dragons
Ages 3–4Playful classes with a parent on the mat. Builds coordination, listening and school-readiness skills.
Free trial times: Saturday 2:30pm
4.8145+ Google reviewsSince 2013
Want Your Child to Feel More Confident?
1ST TRIAL CLASS IS FREEBlack Belt Martial Arts (BBMA) Hornsby Shotokan Karate for kids, teens and adults. Taught by accredited, WWC-checked teachers in Hornsby.
Book Their Free First Class
- Your first class is freeNothing to pay.
- Accredited, safe teachersAccredited and WWC checked.
- Confidence, focus and respectSkills for school and home.
- Classes from age 3 to 60+Mon–Thu and Saturdays.
Opens BBMA's live booking calendar. Pick any trial class time that suits.
- Ages 3 to 14
- WWC-checked teachers
- Free onsite parking
- Your first class is free
- Karate Australia accredited
- Working With Children checked teachers
- Full-time dojo since 2013
"My 7yr old son wasn't keen to join any activities as he's quite shy… From the very first introduction class, the welcome we received and the laughter on the mat he was hooked!"
Sally N.
Parent, Lil Dragons
"They are so supportive to my shy child who is developing her confidence already and my two children can do their classes together despite 4 yr age gap."
Parent
Lil Dragons
"Over the last few years, we have seen a remarkable improvement in our daughter's confidence, focus, and discipline, both inside and outside of class."
Manoj K.
Parent, started in kindy
"My son has grown in confidence, loves attending the classes and special activities and is learning skills to regulate his own emotions and body."
Melanie B.
Parent
"6 years and multiple black belts later, our family has gained confidence, resilience, self discipline and a wonderful community."
Hazel L.
Karate family
"My son started here as a Little Dragon, and my daughter and I joined in the Basics program later. We now all enjoy training together several times a week."
Susan C.
Parent and student
"As an older person (well into my 60s) with major physical limitations (two artificial knees), I have been hugely impressed by their program for seniors."
Greg N.
Low Impact Karate
"I joined the adult program at BBMA in 2018, and I have progressed so quickly in my martial arts skills and gained much more fitness, strength and confidence."
Ellie F.
Adult Karate
"Excellent teachers and staff! They try to develop not only karate skills but life skills in the students."
Prajakta A.
Parent
"From the very first introduction class, the welcome we received and the laughter on the mat he was hooked!"
A Full-Time Karate School in Hornsby, Run by Two 5th Dan Black Belts
A full-time dojo on Bridge Road, open Monday to Thursday and Saturdays. Run by Sensei Josh Marks and Sensei Ann Russell, both 5th Dan black belts, since 2013.
Every teacher is Karate Australia accredited, Working With Children checked and First Aid trained. Parents are welcome to watch every class.
- 2013
- Teaching in Hornsby since
- 5th Dan
- Head teachers Josh & Ann
- 3 to 60+
- Ages we teach
More than kicks and punches
Karate That Builds Confidence for Life, Not Just on the Mat
Certified Rock and Water trainers
Confidence, boundaries and emotional control are taught on purpose, not left to chance.
Mental Health First Aid trained
Our full-time teachers are accredited Mental Health First Aiders.
Anti-bullying and personal safety
Age-appropriate safety and anti-bullying strategies are part of the kids' curriculum.
Guardian Girls accredited
Sensei Ann and Tesshi Maggie are accredited Guardian Girls trainers in personal safety for women and girls.
Find the right class
Karate & Kickboxing Classes in Hornsby for Every Age
Lil Dragons
Ages 5–8Shy kids find their voice, busy kids channel their energy. Focus, respect and personal safety skills.
Free trial times: Monday–Thursday 3:45pm, Saturday 10:15am, 12:15pm or 2:30pm
Young Dragons
Ages 9–14Traditional Shotokan for kids and young teens. Real technique, real goals and screen-free time.
Free trial times: Tuesday & Thursday 4:30pm (Junior Basic), Saturday 9am
Adult Karate
All levelsGet stronger, manage stress and learn self-defence. No fitness or experience needed.
Free trial times: Monday–Thursday 8pm, Saturday 9am or 11am
Cardio Kickboxing
Ages 14+High-energy pad work and conditioning with practical self-defence built in.
Free trial times: Monday & Wednesday 7pm
Low Impact Karate
All LevelsGentle, controlled movement for balance, strength and mobility. No fighting, jumping or spinning.
Free trial times: Monday 2:30pm
Family discount available when multiple family members train. Approved Active and Creative Kids voucher provider.
Karate on Bridge Road, Hornsby — With Free Parking Under the Building
We're upstairs in the big white building on the corner of Bridge Road and Hunter Street, a short walk from Hornsby Station. Dedicated BBMA parking spots are under the building — enter from Hunter Street at the rear. Families come to us from across Hornsby and the Upper North Shore.
- Free onsite parking, with BBMA-marked spots
- Air-conditioned, fully equipped full-time dojo
- Parent viewing area for every class
- Classes Monday to Thursday afternoons and evenings, plus all day Saturday
0494 643 050
- service@bbmahornsby.com.au
- Suite 8 (Upstairs, Level 1), 6–18 Bridge Road, Hornsby NSW 2077
- Monday–Thursday 1pm–9pm · Saturday 9am–5pm · Friday & Sunday closed
Free Trial Karate Class FAQs
Book with the form above or call us on 0494 643 050 and we'll match you or your child with the right class for their age and experience. Arrive 10 minutes early, meet your teacher, fill in a short registration form, then join a full class. There's nothing to pay and nothing to buy. Afterwards we'll chat about how it went and, if you'd like to keep going, explain the options.
That's really common, and it's exactly why we offer a free 1:1 private introductory lesson as well as the group trial. Your child meets one teacher in a quiet dojo, learns a few moves and gets comfortable before ever stepping into a class. Parents can stay and watch the whole time. Many of our most confident students started out hiding behind a parent's leg.
From 3. Tiny Dragons (3–4) is for preschoolers with a parent on the mat. Lil Dragons is for ages 5–8 and Young Dragons for 9–14. Not sure which fits? Choose "Not sure — please recommend" on the form and we'll suggest the right class.
We'd rather you know this up front. If you decide to join, enrolment is a term agreement paid in weekly or fortnightly instalments, not a pay-per-class casual rate. You get a 7-day cooling-off period after signing, and after that cancellation needs 30 days' written notice. Karate rewards consistency, which is why we enrol by term — but the trial itself carries no obligation at all, and we'll walk you through the options in person before you sign anything.
Yes. Most of our adult students started with no martial arts experience, and fitness builds as you train. Classes adapt to you, and for adults 60+ we run a Low Impact Karate class with no fighting, jumping or spinning.
Comfortable clothes you can move in — a t-shirt with shorts, leggings or trackpants. Training is barefoot. You don't need a uniform for the trial; we'll help you get fitted for a karate gi if you join.
Yes. Every class starts with a proper warm-up, contact is age-appropriate and controlled, and all teachers are Karate Australia accredited, Working With Children checked and trained in First Aid and NSW Child Safety. Sparring is invite-only for experienced students. Parents can watch every class from our viewing area.
Their Black Belt Journey Starts With One Free Class
Tiny Dragons, Lil Dragons, Young Dragons, Adult Karate, Cardio Kickboxing and Low Impact Karate in Hornsby — taught by Karate Australia accredited, Working With Children checked teachers since 2013.