6th Degree Black Belt — Rokudan (六段)
Head Instructor
John Mallory is a 6th Degree Black Belt (Rokudan) and the Head Instructor of Shimpokai Judo, bringing decades of experience, technical knowledge, and a deep commitment to the development of judo athletes of all ages and abilities.
John is highly respected for his technical expertise and dedication to traditional judo. As Head Instructor, he plays a key role in developing Shimpokai's competitive and recreational programs, helping students build strong fundamentals, confidence, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the sport.
In addition to his work as an instructor, John is an accomplished international-level Judo Kata competitor. He proudly represents:
John has competed at major national and international kata events, testing his skills against some of the world's leading practitioners. His commitment to kata reflects his passion for the technical and traditional aspects of judo and provides an excellent example for the next generation of Shimpokai athletes.
John's approach to coaching goes beyond teaching throws and techniques. He emphasizes discipline, respect, technical excellence, perseverance, and continuous improvement.
Whether working with a beginner taking their first steps onto the tatami or helping an experienced competitor prepare for competition, John is dedicated to helping every student reach their full potential.
"Judo is a lifelong journey of learning, growth, and improvement."
Executive Director | Shimpokai Judo Club
Vice President | Judo NB
5th Degree Black Belt - Godan (五段).
Jason Steers is a dedicated leader, instructor, and lifelong ambassador for the sport of Judo. A 4th Degree Black Belt, Jason brings years of experience and a deep commitment to developing judoka both on and off the mat.
As the Executive Director of Shimpokai Judo Club, Jason plays an important role in guiding the club, supporting its members, and helping build a strong and welcoming Judo community. His leadership helps ensure that Shimpokai continues its tradition of excellence while providing opportunities for judoka of all ages and experience levels.
Jason also serves as the current Vice President of Judo NB, contributing his knowledge and experience to the development and promotion of Judo throughout New Brunswick.
Whether working with athletes, supporting coaches, organizing club activities, or representing Judo at the provincial level, Jason is committed to growing the sport, developing athletes, and strengthening the Judo community.
Jason's commitment to Shimpokai and Judo NB reflects the values that have helped make Judo such a respected and enduring martial art: respect, discipline, perseverance, and continuous improvement.
5th Degree Black - Godan (五段).
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Robert Desjardins is the Head Coach for Shimpokai Judo’s Adult Judo sessions. With a strong passion for martial arts and a commitment to helping students develop their skills, Robert creates a welcoming and challenging training environment for judoka of all experience levels.
In addition to leading the adult sessions, Robert is an active competition coach, supporting Shimpokai athletes as they prepare for and participate in tournaments. His focus on technique, conditioning, strategy, and competition preparation helps athletes build confidence both on and off the mat.
Robert is also actively involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), bringing experience from another grappling discipline into his Judo coaching. His continued involvement in martial arts reflects his dedication to lifelong learning and development.
Whether you're new to Judo or an experienced competitor, Robert welcomes you to the mat and encourages everyone to train hard, learn, and enjoy the journey.
Robert Desjardins is the Head Coach for Shimpokai Judo’s Adult Judo sessions. With a strong passion for martial arts and a commitment to helping students develop their skills, Robert creates a welcoming and challenging training environment for judoka of all experience levels.
In addition to leading the adult sessions, Robert is an active competition coach, supporting Shimpokai athletes as they prepare for and participate in tournaments. His focus on technique, conditioning, strategy, and competition preparation helps athletes build confidence both on and off the mat.
Robert is also actively involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), bringing experience from another grappling discipline into his Judo coaching. His continued involvement in martial arts reflects his dedication to lifelong learning and development.
Whether you're new to Judo or an experienced competitor, Robert welcomes you to the mat and encourages everyone to train hard, learn, and enjoy the journey.
Marcus Mason is a 1st Degree Black Belt and an active competitive judoka at Shimpokai Judo Club. His experience as both a competitor and coach makes him an important part of Shimpokai’s competitive development program.
Marcus serves as the Head Coach of the Shimpokai Junior Competition Team, working with young athletes to develop their judo skills, competition strategies, physical conditioning, and mental preparation.
With a strong focus on fundamentals, discipline, and continuous improvement, Marcus helps prepare Shimpokai’s junior athletes for tournaments while encouraging them to build confidence, sportsmanship, and a lifelong love of judo.
Marcus Mason — Building the next generation of Shimpokai competitors.
Wes McDevitt is a 1st Degree Black Belt and an active coach at Shimpokai Judo Club, where he plays an important role in developing the club’s junior competitors.
Wes works closely with Shimpokai’s Junior Competition Team, helping young judoka develop their technical skills, confidence, conditioning, and competitive mindset. His coaching focuses not only on success on the mat, but also on the discipline, respect, perseverance, and sportsmanship that are at the heart of judo.
Through regular training and competition preparation, Wes helps Shimpokai’s junior athletes prepare to perform at their best while encouraging them to continually challenge themselves and grow as judoka.
Patrick Foley is co-founder of Shimpokai Jiu Jitsu. He is a lifelong martial artist with a background in law enforcement and adult education.
Patrick holds black belts in Olympic style Taekwondo, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He competed nationally in Taekwondo for fifteen years, where he medalled, and was ranked in the top five in his weight category before retiring from active competition.
The teachings of Carl Schell (founder of The Judo Shimpokai) and Chong-soo Lee (father of Taekwondo in Canada) greatly influence Patrick’s teaching style and inspire him to continually strive to improve as a coach.
Katie Foley is a co-founder, one of the Head Coaches of Shimpokai Jiu Jitsu and the first woman in Saint John to earn a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. With years of experience as both a competitor and coach, Katie brings a well-rounded approach to Jiu-Jitsu, from technical development and competition preparation to practical self-defence.
With a professional background in law enforcement, her training includes Gracie Survival Tactics and C4C Police Jiu-Jitsu certification. She also holds a brown belt in Judo and is a certified yoga instructor, incorporating movement, breathwork, mobility, and body awareness into her coaching.
Katie is passionate about creating a safe, welcoming environment where people of all experience levels can build confidence, develop practical skills, and discover what they’re capable of through Jiu-Jitsu.
Mike Melvin is the Head Coach of Shimpokai Karate, bringing a broad range of martial arts experience and a strong competitive background to his coaching.
A 2nd Degree Black Belt in Karate, Mike has developed his skills through years of dedicated training and competition. His approach to Karate focuses on strong fundamentals, technical development, discipline, timing, movement, and the confidence needed to perform under pressure.
Mike's martial arts experience extends well beyond Karate. He is also a Black Belt in Judo and an active international Judo Kata competitor, representing Shimpokai and competing at a high level. His experience in Judo provides students with an additional perspective on balance, movement, control, timing, and practical martial arts application.
Mike is also a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, giving him experience in grappling, positional control, submissions, and close-range techniques. His involvement in Karate, Judo, and BJJ gives him a well-rounded understanding of martial arts and allows him to bring knowledge from multiple disciplines into his coaching.
Mike believes martial arts training is about more than learning techniques. It is an opportunity to develop discipline, confidence, respect, perseverance, fitness, and personal growth.
Whether a student is training for competition, fitness, self-defence, or simply looking to challenge themselves and learn a new skill, Mike works to create an environment where students can develop at their own pace while continually striving to improve.
His goal is simple: help every student become a better martial artist and a better version of themselves.
Kevin McKenna is a dedicated martial artist and coach who brings extensive experience across multiple disciplines to the Shimpokai Karate coaching team.
Kevin holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Karate and is a Jun Shidoin, reflecting his years of training, technical knowledge, and commitment to the development and teaching of Karate.
In addition to his Karate experience, Kevin has trained extensively in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, holding a Blue Belt in Judo and a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
His experience across multiple martial arts gives Kevin a well-rounded perspective on technique, movement, discipline, and practical martial arts training. He is committed to helping students develop their skills while embracing the values of respect, discipline, confidence, and perseverance that are central to martial arts.
Kevin is proud to be part of the Shimpokai Karate coaching team and to contribute to the continued growth and tradition of martial arts at Shimpokai.
