ABOUT THE ACADEMY
Welcome to AFAMA! We look forward to bringing our students some of the highest level of Martial Arts instruction in the province; whether you are looking to join for one of the endless health & lifestyle benefits, or your goal is to compete on a world stage, we can help you get there! The Foley family has been teaching Martial Arts for the last 40+ years and plan to continue for generations to come! With programs for ages 3+ there is something for the whole family at one of our locations. Our Instructors are dedicated to bringing you the best quality knowledge of Martial Arts in a clean, safe, supportive family friendly environment. We take pride in the cleanliness and professionalism we provide at our Academies as well as the character development we instill in our students – striving to make them the best they can be both athletically and personally. Training is about so much more than just kicking & punching, it helps students grow into more confident, capable people. As always, we invite you and your family to come be a part of our team!
St. John’s • Paradise • Goulds • Witless Bay • Whitbourne
OUR PROGRAMS
We offer quality instruction in a variety of programs for adults and kids ages 3+. The benefits of training in Martial Arts are endless, it is so much more than just an after school activity. Our programs instill self-confidence, teach important self-defense skills, and improve listening skills while keeping you active and building new friendships that will last a lifetime. In addition to local tournaments, we also travel to National & World tournaments every year so students are welcome to explore their competitive side and potentially become a World Champion, or you can train recreationally at your own pace. No matter what your goals are, we can help you achieve them! Programs vary by location, please visit our Facebook page for an up to date schedule for each location.
Registration is always ongoing – Click here to visit our contact page to set up your free trial!
OUR INSTRUCTORS
ALEX FOLEY
Instructor
Alex comes from a family full of Martial Artists, deciding early on that this was the path he wanted to follow as his lifestyle and career choice.
JIM FLOOD
Instructor
Sensei Jim Flood is undoubtedly one of the world’s best Martial Arts coaches & athletes, and it’s an honour to have him as part of our team.
ZACHERY CONNOLLY
Instructor
Zack has been a permanent fixture and familiar face at the club since he first registered at our dojo not long after we opened.
DON SINNOTT
Instructor
Don started training in our Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program in 2015 shortly after his son registered for Kids Jiu-Jitsu with us. He has been a great asset to our team...
IVAN BURT
Instructor
Ivan started training in our Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program when we opened our first location in the Goulds in 2010. He has been there through all the changes...
FAITH PATEY
Instructor
Faith has been training with us at our academy since she was 7 years old. She will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most dedicated students we have ever had ...
ALEXANDER BIRMINGHAM
Instructor
Alex registered for Karate in 2014, and the transformation that has taken place since that day is still one of our favourite stories to talk about.
RYAN BENNETT
Instructor
Ryan started training with us in 2011, not long after we opened. He was a funny, extremely energetic child who quickly rose to the challenge of being a junior leader ...
KATELYN FARRELL
Instructor
Katelyn began training in Martial Arts at a young age, and her passion & love of training keeps her dedication strong all these years later. ....
LEAH FLOOD
Instructor
Leah is an extremely talented Martial Artist who definitely shines even more when it comes to kata & weapons. She began training when she was 9 years old, quickly ....
JUNIOR LEADERS
Assistant Instructors
Our team of Junior Leaders is made up of our most advanced, committed students who have demonstrated dedication and amazing work ethic in their own training.
My daughter has been a student at AFAMA for about 5 years and I can’t say enough good about the team. Mr. Foley and Mr. Flood are amazing teachers. My daughter has learned confidence, strength and discipline. She’s also seen some of the strongest, most skilled young women “rise up” in front of her eyes. There’s no price tag on that. I’ve also been a student at AFAMA for several years. I’m currently a student in the adult kickboxing class with Mr. Flood in Witless Bay. In the past I’ve also trained with Mr. Foley, Zack and Thomas. Each class was excellent. Along with being “regular students”, my daughter and I have both participated in special events. My daughter has attended birthday parties, as well as weapons, sparring, and self-defense seminars. I’ve also completed their women’s self-defence seminar. In fact, I was so confident it would be well done that we made it a team-building event through my workplace. It was not only incredibly valuable, but we had a ton of fun. Check them out.
DEIDRE - ALEXA KAY's MOM
Our older daughter, Maya went to watch and cheer on her little sister in classes and in tournaments and though she was later to join, she too wanted to give it a try. She started out with Jiu Jitsu and loved it. She was so proud of each move she learned and each match she participated in. She has made some amazing friends as well and loves to be part of our martial arts family. She has recently made the switch from Jiu Jitsu to Karate and is loving it as well. She’s now hoping to start sparring, but not in a class with her little sister!! She also attends Bag Blast with our whole family and loves to compete with us in class!! She may be the dancer of our family but she truly loves what she is learning at AFAMA too. She loves the teachers and Junior leaders and has some snap chat streaks going with her friends from class – pretty important for an almost teen!
SHAUNA - MAYA'S MOM
Alex Foley’s Academy of Martial Arts is the place to be! Instilling power, strength and growth … such a well organized, friendly atmosphere. Our first belt test experience was this weekend and our little guy was so excited, yet nervous. The instructors were there to help and encourage all the way!
Way to go – huge props !
MEGAN - BEN'S MOM
Ireland was 4 when she joined the Dojo. We signed her up because she had just been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder. We wanted her to become a part of something that would help her become more confident in herself, and to help her with her anxiety. One class a week we could see the difference in her. That one kata class has turned into many more classes including Ju-Jitsu, Sparring and Self Defense. Now the difference in her is nothing short of amazing. The confidence shines out of her when she is on the mats. What she has learned in the dojo she has applied to her outside life as well to become a more confident child. Mr. Foley, and the junior leaders have helped so many kids with these programs, we are lucky to be apart of the dojo family.
ALLISON - IRELAND'S MOM
Issac joined the academy when he was 3 years old, we signed him up in hopes that he would gain confidence in himself and make some friends. And here we are over 5 years later, and Issac is such a confident young boy, and the friends that he has made have become family. Along the way, he has learned focus and drive. Issac loves his training at the dojo more and more everyday, and always looks forward to being in class. As a parent, I have such a full heart getting to see the opportunities and skills learned that Alex and his school have provided. All of this has also inspired me to become a student myself, and I have learned so much and have grown so much as an adult. Being at the dojo feels like home, and Alex, along with the instructors and junior leaders are just like family!
ASHLEY - ISSAC'S MOM
My daughter has been a part of karate for 12 years. She has been enrolled with 3 previous clubs before joining AFAMA. I had a feeling that this journey was to be different. Yes, the kicking and punching remains the same but its the everything else that separates AFAMA from all other schools. The instructors/jr leaders lead by example. The kids gain confidence, respect, work ethic, sense of belonging, skills and abilities, and so much more. Also, AFAMA is like being a part of a large family where you’re welcome for Sunday dinner everyday.
BRIAN - KATELYN'S DAD
When Joey joined your school, he was quiet and shy, his teacher said that he didn’t speak in class and was worried about his socialization. Within a few months, I noticed his confidence building, he began to make friends who are now like family. These friends he has met in the dojo are friends outside the dojo. His teacher now in his last report card notes that he is one of the most well liked and popular students! I never would have thought this was possible in grade one. Karate has taught Joey that you don’t have to be the best but you have to keep trying to be the best you can be. He is no longer afraid to make mistakes because he has learned that you learn from mistakes. We love your school, the leaders, students and the parents are so supportive, each child is like everyone’s child. Thank you for all the life skill you have taught our children
JOANNE - JOEY'S MOM
We started our daughter in Karate at AFAMA when she was three years old for fitness and socialization with peers. Little did we know that there would be so much more to this sport and dojo. Almost six years later and as parents, the importance of our daughter learning self-defense is insurmountable, but more importantly we have learned that a growth mindset of ‘I can do this’ and being fair to everyone has been instilled every day through every class. Instructors and Junior leaders are role models that encourage students to always do their personal best. Now, we have three members of our family who are involved in classes and we can honestly say that it’s the best decision that we could have ever made. Our kids have developed confidence, compassion, friendships and most of all self-respect. We are thankful every single day for our dojo family and can’t recommend them highly enough.