Global Martial Arts (GMA) began its journey in the south-western Sydney suburb of Prestons in 2006, operating out of a local youth centre with no staff and offering just two classes per week on a part-time basis. But the fledgling club was founded on a vision to support and empower young kids in the community.

“At that time, I was still actively competing as an athlete while managing my plumbing company,” recalls club owner Ali Khalil, who has coached Taekwondo at three Olympic Games.

“Despite the busy schedule, my passion for martial arts and community development drove me to establish GMA as a nurturing ground for young talent.”

In 2010, four years after it opened, the club took a significant step forward by moving into its first full-time centre, dedicating its program solely to Taekwondo.

“That period marked a crucial transition for me personally, as I shifted from being an athlete to focusing on coaching. This was driven by a desire to help other athletes, including my brother, achieve their dreams of competing at the highest levels,” he says.

And that is precisely what has happened. In 2012, GMA expanded to a larger location and introduced a full-time timetable, allowing the club to offer more comprehensive training programs. That same year, Khalil had the honour of being selected as the Head Coach and Manager for the Australian Taekwondo team at the London Olympic Games.

It was a proud moment for both club and family, as Ali’s brother Safwan Khalil (a three-time Olympian) represented Australia in the male -58kg division. The club subsequently participated in two more Olympic cycles, with Ali employed as a support coach and Safwan selected as a competitor for both the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

A legacy of Olympic excellence

For Global Martial Arts, a strong Olympic connection is not only a source of immense pride but also further testament to the club’s commitment to excellence in Taekwondo.

“Our Olympic journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Being directly involved in three consecutive Olympic cycles has been an extraordinary honour and an unparalleled achievement for our club,” Khalil says.

“It’s a rare and prestigious milestone that sets us apart within the Taekwondo community. The feat of being involved in multiple Olympic campaigns with both myself as a coach and my brother as a competitor, demonstrates our club's dedication to reaching the highest echelons of sport.”

And Khalil believes the achievement serves as an inspiration to the club’s members and the broader martial arts community, highlighting the possibilities of reaching the pinnacle of sport and motivating future generations to aspire to greatness.

“Being part of the Olympic community has profoundly impacted GMA, elevating our status as a leader in martial arts and enriching our programs with unparalleled experiences,” he says.

“Our involvement in these historic events has provided us with valuable insights, exceptional training methodologies, and an enhanced understanding of the demands of elite competition. The legacy of our Olympic campaigns continues to inspire and drive us forward.”

A family-run club that supports its community

In 2024, GMA achieved another significant milestone by partnering with esteemed coaches to establish a second franchise in Brisbane. Both locations offer quality training programs six days a week, combining traditional martial arts techniques with modern, evidence-based approaches to fitness and self-defence. But the comprehensive program is only part of what makes GMA special.

With Ali at the helm, Safwan on board as a coach, and Ali’s wife Angela also heavily involved in the business – she’s the “backbone of GMA” whose hard work and support have been vital to Ali’s coaching achievements, according to her husband – the family-run club continues to go from strength to strength. It aims to provide an environment where everyone feels welcome to train together, fostering shared experiences and mutual support.

“Our vision is to create and uphold an inclusive environment where individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds feel safe and supported. We are dedicated to helping our members not only achieve their personal goals but also push beyond them to reach new heights of martial arts excellence,” Khalil says.

“Our commitment is to develop both physical and mental growth through disciplined training and a supportive community. We aim to inspire our members to transcend their limits, continuously challenge themselves, and realise their full potential, both within the realm of martial arts and in their everyday lives.”

Global Martial Arts has now grown into a thriving institution with a dedicated team of more than 20 staff members offering over 80 classes per week – including but not limited to Traditional Taekwondo classes focusing on techniques, forms, and self-defence, as well as Sports Taekwondo and High Performance classes for competitive athletes.

Today, the club stands as a pillar of martial arts excellence and community engagement.

And as a proud member of Australian Taekwondo, GMA actively engages in and benefits from a range of services and initiatives provided by the organisation. This engagement covers participation in coach development programs, access to national and international competitions, and community and networking events across the country and beyond.

“Our involvement with Australian Taekwondo is integral to our mission of advancing martial arts excellence and contributing to the broader Taekwondo community,” Khalil says.

A remarkable history of achievement

In addition to the honour of serving as a coach for Australia in three consecutive Olympic Games and coaching at seven World Championships, Khalil feels privileged to have trained and coached some truly standout athletes – including Hayder Shkara (2016 Olympian), Carmen Marton (2012 Olympian), who won Australia’s first-ever World Championships Gold Medal in 2013, and of course brother Safwan, who made history as the first Australian athlete to win gold at the University Games in China in 2011.

Another significant coaching achievement for Khalil came in 2022 when Matt Summerfield won a Bronze Medal at the Junior World Championships, ending a 14-year medal drought for Australia. Yet another of the club’s marquee athletes, Juliet Lahood, is ranked top-20 in the world in the W-49 division. 

But GMA does not simply define itself by competitive success at the elite level. If anything, the club’s transformative impact on young lives is considered an even great achievement.

“We have had the privilege of supporting numerous children with behavioural challenges, helping them transition into mainstream education. This highlights our role in not only developing martial arts skills but also in fostering positive behavioural and academic outcomes for young people,” Khalil says.

“These stories reflect the heart and soul of GMA – our dedication to personal and athletic development, our impact on the lives of our members, and our relentless pursuit of excellence. Each achievement and positive outcome is a testament to the hard work of our staff, the talent of our athletes, and the support of our community.”

From humble beginnings to national recognition

To better understand the ethos that drives this impressive club, one only needs to consider the Khalil family’s journey to Australia – a true story of resilience and determination, having emigrated from Lebanon in 1986, escaping the turmoil of civil war.

“Arriving in a new country, we faced the challenges of starting over in a place where we did not know a word of English. For the first few years, life was incredibly tough; we lived in poverty, and my father worked tirelessly, often putting in 18-hour days to provide for us,” Ali explains.

“My brothers and I had always been fascinated by martial arts movies. This passion led us to start Taekwondo, a decision that would become a cornerstone of our lives. Our involvement in Taekwondo was more than just a pursuit of a hobby; it became a way to channel our energy, build discipline, and connect as a family. The values and skills we learned through Taekwondo not only helped us integrate into our new community but also laid the foundation for what would later become a lifelong dedication to martial arts.”

From those humble beginnings as both a family and a club, this journey is a testament to how something as simple as a shared interest can transform adversity into an opportunity for growth and success.

“Today, the same spirit that drove us to start training continues to inspire us as we help others achieve their own goals through our club,” Khalil says. “We are proud of our journey and remain committed to fostering a positive and empowering environment for all our members.”

You can discover more about Global Martial Arts on the club website or follow GMA on Facebook.