The blue cards of the following instructors may not be current at this time.
Ron Koks
Ron has trained and instructed extensively in Kyushin Ryu Jujitsu before making the transition to swordplay in 2011. He has attended a 5-day workshop and 1-day intensive with Puck Curtis (Canada, 2016). He has transposed Montante drills to work for three-headed flails, and used this research as part of his grading to BSIS’ first Provost. He also makes these flails in a variety of colours. Hannah’s (see administration) is pink.
Experience, Qualifications, and research :
- Level 2 jujitsu coach with the Australian Jujitsu Federation (Australian Institute of Sport)
- Level 1 Archery Coach with the ABA (Australian Institute of Sport)
- Licensed Fire Safety Advisor
- Ron’s An Introduction to using the Iberian Mangual (Flail).
James McMaster
Although he left Brisbane for new opportunities elsewhere in Australia, James instructed with enthusiasm and ease, and used increasingly impressive segues to announce that we should remember to stay hydrated (to this day students who have never met him carry on the tradition). Expulsion lessons will not be the same without him. Come back and visit us soon, James!
Eddie Ngaluafe
Eddie is an Apprentice at Brisbane Swords, and at BSIS, and a Scholar at the School of Historical Defence Arts. He joined the HEMA community in 2016 after watching Emma Fowler destroy her opponent with a rapier at the Gold Coast Renaissance Faire. Eddie was awarded the Sportsmanship Prize at Swordplay 2017 and the Pacheco Prize for best and fairest at the Carranza Cup 2017, so he is officially a Really Nice Guy.
Jacob Shofield
Jacob stumbled across our club while attending History Alive in June 2016 where he took a beginner class with us and discovered how much fun it is to wield a sword. He trained with us for years, twice-weekly, and has now competed in multiple HEMA tournaments. He took on instructing to share his enthusiasm with new members.
Sam Travis
Sam has frequently been rostered as beginner instructor, so for many of us she was one of the first of our instructors we got to know. Sam is taking a break from instructing for the time being and we hope to have her back soon.
Chris Godwin
Chris’ abilities as a hairdresser mean his hair remains teeth-gnashingly fabulous even after fencing in a mask for hours. In fact his hair changes so often we have given you a photo of Chris in his mask so you can recognise him
(Photo by Bob Dobson). Chris is exceptionally well-read in HEMA, and recognised as one of Australia’s leading HEMA talents. He runs his own school, Australis Scherma Scuola di Spada e Sciabola, affectionately known as ASSSS.
Steven Tran (instructor in training)
Steve joined us in 2022 and quickly gained the
confidence of his fellow members, being elected to Happiness Officer in 2023. In 2024 he resigned that position in order to become an instructor. Steve then decided to return to the position of Happiness Officer.
He has ambitions for a career in counselling and psychotherapy, and holds a Cert IV Mental Health, and is taking a break while he deals with his workload.
Jason Gehrman 
Jason teaches English to adults for a living, and teaches fencing for fun. A very practical-based instructor, he combines his teaching expertise with his martial arts training (in Destreza, Karate, boxing, and Krav Maga). The result is wealth of ideas on how to explore a fencing concepts in novel and engaging ways.
Jason is taking a break to concentrate on family.