Welcome to the Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association
We are proud to represent Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-do in Canada, preserving the art and traditions passed down from Okinawa while fostering a spirit of respect, friendship, and growth. Whether you are a new student taking your first steps or a seasoned practitioner continuing your journey, this is your community.
Explore our Learning Section for valuable resources, training insights, and historical knowledge to deepen your understanding of our style. We encourage members to share their experiences, ideas, and questions — connecting with fellow karateka here in Canada and around the world.
Together, we strengthen our practice, support each other’s growth, and keep the legacy of Matsubayashi-Ryu alive for generations to come.
“Let’s train, learn, and share — as one Matsubayashi Ryu family in karate-do.”
— Sensei Vern Tilley
Explorer our Learning Center for valuable resources, training insights, and historical knowledge to deepen your understanding of Matsubayashi Ryu Karate Do
**Out Learning Center is still under construction, please check back for the official launch of this section **
Founding of the CMKA (1997)
After the passing of Grandmaster Shoshin Nagamine in 1997, his son, Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, assumed leadership of Matsubayashi-Ryu worldwide. That same year, with his blessing, the Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association (CMKA) was formally founded under Sensei Vern Tilley and other senior Canadian instructors.
At its inception, Soke Takayoshi Nagamine served as the Headmaster of the CMKA, providing guidance and recognition from Okinawa. The organization was established to:
• Preserve the legacy of Shoshin Nagamine in Canada.
• Support Canadian instructors in spreading Matsubayashi-Ryu with consistency and integrity.
In that effort, Sensei Tilley and the many affiliated dojos across Canada hosted numerous events, inviting senior Okinawan Sensei to share their teaching, wisdom, and friendship. These visits created lasting bonds between Canadian practitioners and the Okinawan masters, ensuring the art was passed down with authenticity and respect.
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Expansion Across Canada (2000s–Present)
During the 2000s, Matsubayashi-Ryu dojos affiliated with the CMKA and WMKA were established in several provinces, including Ontario, Newfoundland, and beyond.
Many Canadian instructors have also cross-trained in other martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and MMA, which has enriched their teaching while keeping the traditional core of Matsubayashi-Ryu intact.
The Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu community continues to blend respect for Okinawan heritage with adaptation to Canadian culture—offering programs for youth, self-defense seminars, and community demonstrations.
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Present Leadership
Today, Sensei Vern Tilley continues to serve as the President of the CMKA, guiding the association with the same dedication he has shown since its founding. Supporting him is his son, Joe Tilley, who serves as a Special Advisor, helping to carry forward the family’s commitment to preserving and sharing Matsubayashi-Ryu in Canada.
The remaining Board Directors of the CMKA—Sensei Pete Phillips, Sensei Brock Burley, and Sensei Chris Boreland—each play an important role in mentoring students, supporting dojos, and ensuring the continued growth of Matsubayashi-Ryu across Canada.
Sensei Vern Tilley – President, Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Do Association
A Lifetime in Matsubayashi-ryu Karate
Sensei Vern Tilley has devoted his life to the study, practice, and teaching of traditional Okinawan karate. He began his karate training in 1962, but found his true calling in 1967, when he was introduced to Matsubayashi-Ryu, the system founded by Grandmaster Shoshin Nagamine. From that point forward, Matsubayashi-Ryu became the foundation of his lifelong journey in martial arts.
With a career spanning over six decades, Sensei Tilley has become a leading figure in the Canadian and international Matsubayashi-Ryu community. In 1997, with the approval of Soke Takayoshi Nagamine, he founded the Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-do Association (CMKA) and continues to serve as its Kaiso (founder). His leadership has shaped a strong national organization committed to preserving and promoting the authentic teachings of Okinawan karate-do.
Sensei Tilley has travelled to Okinawa several times to study under senior masters and maintain a direct connection to the art’s origins. Known for his clear, traditional instruction and deep technical knowledge, he also specializes in practical self-defence techniques, helping students develop skills that are both rooted in tradition and effective in real-world situations.
In addition to his teaching and organizational leadership, Sensei Tilley—alongside the CMKA membership—has hosted numerous seminars in Ontario, featuring high-ranking Okinawan sensei. These events have strengthened ties with Okinawa and provided invaluable learning experiences for Canadian practitioners.
Sensei Tilley has guided and inspired generations of karateka, many of whom have become instructors and community leaders themselves. His legacy lives on in the values he imparts: humility, discipline, respect, and lifelong dedication to the martial way.
Today, Sensei Vern Tilley continues to lead by example—honouring the roots of Matsubayashi-Ryu and ensuring its future through thoughtful instruction, cultural respect, and an unwavering passion for karate-do.
Sensei Brock Burley –
Vice President, Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association
Sensei Brock Burley began his study of karate in 1968 at the Maple Leaf Dojo under Sensei Frank Baehr. In 1979, he continued his training under Sensei Ed Erler, one of the early pioneers of Matsubayashi-Ryu in North America. With Erler Sensei, he not only deepened his understanding of Shorin-Ryu but also expanded his studies into Hakutsuru (White Crane) and Yamanni-Ryu weapons. Training under such demanding, old-school instruction gave him both the technical foundation and the spirit that continue to shape his martial arts journey.
In 1988, guided by his passion for sharing Matsubayashi-Ryu, Sensei Burley opened his current dojo, where he has taught for nearly four decades. His dojo remains a place where students of all ages learn traditional Okinawan karate, instilling discipline, respect, and perseverance while preserving the values of karate-do.
In the early 1990s, Sensei Burley met Sensei Vern Tilley at a gathering of Matsubayashi practitioners in New York. That meeting began a friendship and training partnership that endures today, strengthening the Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association (CMKA) and its commitment to preserving authentic Okinawan karate.
Kobudo
Alongside karate, Sensei Burley pursued extensive training in Okinawan kobudo. He studied under Yoshiko Dometrich, a pioneering martial artist and direct student of Okinawan master Akamine Eisuke. Dometrich Sensei introduced the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai to North America in 1977, ensuring that Okinawa’s classical weapons traditions were faithfully preserved. Under her guidance, Sensei Burley gained not only skill with traditional weapons but also a deep respect for their cultural and historical importance. He currently holds the rank of Sandan in the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai. Following her passing in 2024, Dometrich Sensei’s teachings continue through dedicated students like Sensei Burley.
Leadership & Legacy
Since the founding of the Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association in 1997, Sensei Burley has served as Vice President, offering leadership, guidance, and mentorship to its members. He holds the title of Kyoshi, formally recognizing his lifetime of dedication to karate-do.
Today, Sensei Burley remains deeply committed to his role as teacher, leader, and mentor. His journey reflects not only technical mastery in karate, kobudo, and related traditions but also the true spirit of Okinawan martial arts: discipline, respect, and the preservation of heritage for future generations.
Sensei Pete Phillips –
Vice President, Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association
Sensei Pete Phillips began training in Matsubayashi-Ryu in 1970 at the Maple Leaf Dojo, part of the early wave of Okinawan karate that took root in Canada. From the very beginning, he showed a quiet determination and a strong connection to the traditions of Okinawan martial arts.
In June 1980, he opened his own dojo, where for more than 25 years he taught both karate and kobudo. His school became a place where generations of students developed not only martial skill, but also confidence, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the values of budo.
In 1997, Sensei Phillips joined Sensei Vern Tilley, Sensei Brock Burley, and Sensei Chris Boreland as one of the founding members of the Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association, established with the blessing of Soke Takayoshi Nagamine. His commitment to tradition and technical excellence helped ensure a strong and lasting foundation for Matsubayashi-Ryu in Canada.
Kobudo
Alongside his karate training, Sensei Phillips devoted himself to the study of Okinawan kobudo. He trained under Yoshiko Dometrich, a trailblazing martial artist and direct student of Okinawan master Akamine Eisuke. Dometrich Sensei was instrumental in bringing the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko Kai to North America in 1977, and under her guidance, Sensei Phillips developed both skill and insight into Okinawa’s weapons traditions. His study of kobudo enriched his karate and broadened his understanding of Okinawan martial culture.
Leadership & Legacy
Respected for his humility and steady presence, Sensei Phillips is valued as both teacher and mentor. His technical expertise, balanced by patience and kindness, has shaped the paths of many students over the decades.
Today, as Vice President and Kyoshi of the CMKA, Sensei Phillips continues to serve as Senior Technical Advisor and guide. His lifelong devotion to Matsubayashi-Ryu and kobudo remains an inspiration to karateka across Canada.
Sensei Chris Boreland – General Secretary, Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Do Association
Bridging Tradition and Modern Martial Arts
Sensei Chris Boreland is a highly respected martial artist with deep roots in traditional Okinawan karate and extensive experience in modern martial disciplines. He began his training in Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate in the late 1970s, where he met Sensei Vern Tilley, forming a lasting mentorship and friendship that has continued to shape his martial arts journey for over four decades.
In 1992, Sensei Boreland founded Boreland’s School of Karate in Georgetown, Ontario, where he continues to teach authentic Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate to students of all ages. His dojo upholds the classical Okinawan values of discipline, humility, and personal development. A founding member of the Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association (CMKA), Sensei Boreland currently serves as Kyoshi, contributing to the technical standards, instruction, and organizational leadership of the association.
In the early 2000s, Sensei Boreland entered the competitive mixed martial arts (MMA) circuit, where he tested and proved his skills in real combat. This led him to form Boreland’s Combat Team, a competitive MMA team that participated in events across Canada and the United States, gaining a reputation for producing strong, disciplined, and well-rounded fighters.
His commitment to cross-disciplinary training also led him into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). After many years of dedicated training and competition, he was awarded his black belt in 2014 by Professor Fabio Holanda, headmaster of Brazilian Top Team Canada—a milestone that further cemented his reputation as a complete martial artist.
Through decades of teaching, coaching, and leading, Sensei Boreland has remained true to the spirit of budo. He is deeply committed to passing on the traditions of Okinawan karate while embracing the realities of modern martial arts. His ability to connect traditional kata with practical application has made him a sought-after instructor and mentor.
Today, Sensei Chris Boreland serves as General Secretary of the CMKA—honouring his roots, evolving his skills, and inspiring the next generation with integrity, experience, and passion
Joe Tilley
Son of Kaicho Vern Tilley – Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association
Joe grew up surrounded by martial arts, training under his father in Matsubayashi-Ryu. Immersed in the traditions and teachings of Okinawan karate from an early age, he developed both strong technical ability and a deep respect for the philosophy of karate-do.
Throughout decades of training, Joe has carried forward the Tilley family legacy in karate, serving as both a student and teacher within the CMKA, and helping preserve the values of Matsubayashi-Ryu for future generations.
Today, Joe continues to serve the CMKA as both an advocate and senior advisor to his father, Kaicho Vern Tilley.
About Aubrey Brawley
Owner and head instructor of
MA-X Martial Arts CrossTraining
Aubrey began training in karate in 1980 and has dedicated his life to martial arts and personal protection. At just 19, he opened his first karate dojo and has been teaching children and adults ever since.
He currently holds a 5th-degree black belt in Shorin-Ryu, a 1st-degree black belt in Goju-Ryu, a black belt in Krav Maga, and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Aubrey has also competed in Muay Thai kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, bringing real-world experience to his teaching. Over the past 45 years, he has also trained in Boxing, Wrestling, Judo, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, Filipino Martial Arts, Okinawan Kobudo, Japanese Kenjutsu, and various Chinese martial arts.
He received a special award in Japan through the Dai Nippon Butokukai for his efforts in coaching a group of Canadian children during the 2004 Youth Butokusai, a gathering of youth from around the world to visit and train in Kyoto, Japan. Recognized as Instructor of the Year (2009) by Krav Maga Worldwide, Aubrey is a Certified “Train-the-Trainer,” Advanced Instructor Trainer, and Certified Coach, as well as an Advanced-Level Civilian Law Enforcement Certified Trainer.
His passion for learning and teaching has taken him around the world, where he has had the privilege to learn from, train with, and instruct martial artists across many disciplines.
Sensei Michael Mullett - Director of Eastern Canada, Canadian Matsubayashi-ryu Karate Do Association
Owner & Head Instructor – Mad Rock Martial Arts & Fitness
Sensei Michael Mullett brings over three decades of diverse martial arts experience to his role as head instructor at Mad Rock Martial Arts & Fitness. He began his martial arts journey in 1990 at the age of seven, training in Kenpo Karate in Cambridge, Ontario. After moving to Scarborough in 1993, he continued his development in Okinawan Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do before returning to Cambridge, where he earned a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Japanese Goju-Ryu Karate-Do.
In addition to his karate background, Sensei Mullett has studied Judo for eight years, Tai Chi for five years, and has been actively training in Japanese JuJutsu since the age of 14. His depth of cross-training has shaped a well-rounded approach to self-defense and traditional martial arts.
Sensei Mullett currently holds the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt - Renshi in Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do, through the Canadian Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu Karate Association under Vern Tilley, Hanshi, 9th Dan,
He began teaching martial arts classes for children at the age of 14 and opened his first professional dojo at 19. Since 2019, he has offered instruction in the Bay Roberts area and opened a full-time training facility in May 2025. His teaching emphasizes discipline, personal growth, and practical application.
Beyond the dojo, Sensei Mullett has contributed as a guest instructor for numerous institutions, including the Waterloo Region District and Catholic School Boards, Conestoga College, and the University of Waterloo. He has led workshops focusing on self-defense, youth empowerment, and martial arts fundamentals
Sensei Andrew Kennedy -
Andrew began training in martial arts in the early 2000s while in high school, starting with Yoshinkan Aikido before transitioning to Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate, where he found his primary focus.
In 2008, Andrew enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Artillery Gunner. Over six years of service, he trained alongside fellow soldiers and practitioners in disciplines including BJJ, MMA/boxing, Krav Maga, and Hung Kuen Kung Fu. Always seeking to broaden his knowledge, Andrew emphasized practicality while respecting the traditions and lineages of each system. During this time, he became a direct student of Sensei Vern Tilley, achieving his Nidan in 2014 and Sandan in 2017.
After a medical release from the military in 2014, Andrew transitioned into civilian life, working in municipal government, police service administration, and later as an Information Technology Specialist. He now applies these professional skills to martial arts in roles such as webmaster for the CMKA.
In March 2024, Andrew began training under Sifu Neil Ripski of Edmonton, Canada, studying Shaolin 18 Lohan Palm, Zui Quan (Drunken Fist), and Xinyi Liuhe Quan. He also completed a 100-day Heavy Hands Qi Gong program—an iron palm and iron body system passed down through Gu Yu Cheung—without missing a single day. These studies have allowed him to connect Chinese martial traditions with Okinawan Karate, deepening his technical and philosophical understanding.
In addition to his physical training, Andrew has embraced daily meditation as well as Buddhist and Taoist teachings, integrating them into his martial arts practice. These disciplines continue to add new dimensions to his growth as both a martial artist and a teacher.
As an active member of the CMKA, Andrew is eager to learn from his peers and predecessors, while contributing his knowledge and passing on lessons to the next generation of martial artists.
Congratulations to Sensei Michael Mullett
We are proud to announce that Sensei Michael Mullett has been promoted to the rank of Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) in Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do.
Sensei Mullett has been a dedicated student of Sensei Vern Tilley since the early 1990s. Along with this achievement, he has also been awarded the teaching title of Renshi and will serve as the Eastern Canada Director for Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do.
Please join us in congratulating Sensei Mullett on this well-deserved recognition of his decades of commitment, leadership, and contribution to the art of karate-do.
The list below includes all individuals who have achieved a Yudan (dan grade) under the Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association and are acknowledged as being in good standing.
Founder
Vern Tilley – Kaiso
Hachidan
Brock Burley - Kyoshi
Pete Phillips - Kyoshi
Shichidan
Chris Boreland – Kyoshi
Rokudan
Joe Tilley – Sōdan’yaku
Godan
Aubrey Brawley – Renshi
Michael Mullett – Renshi
Ray Wharram
Yondan
Mark Boreland
Reynaldo Frech
Dave Johnstone
Michael McKenna
Barry Simpson
Kevin Redditt
Sandan
Stephanie Crammond-Posth
Andrew Kennedy
Steve Vetricin
Brian Casteels
Nidan
Robert Bisbicis
David Gardner
Hellen Lakusta-Posth
Matthew Sheridan
Brian Simpson
Marc Tellier
Mario Walsh
Billy Shearer
Shodan
John Burt
Antonio Chandel
Don Densmore
Trent Jennings
Jacob Jung
Paul Jung
Daniel Kooy
Johathan Nightingale
Kyle Stewart
Only the above-listed Yudansha are recognized as being in good standing with the Canadian Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do Association. If your name is missing or misspelled, please contact us at info@matsubayashi-ryu.ca
Feel Free to email us directly at info@matsubayashi-ryu.ca
