Two-time Sport Karate World Champion and internationally recognised business expert for martial arts schools, Sascha de Vries, was featured as a keynote speaker at the EFC Summit 2025, held recently at the Mingara Recreation Centre in Tumbi Umbi.
The summit is considered to be Australia’s most influential event for school owners, instructors and leadership teams in the martial arts industry.
It is part of EFC’s mission to empower martial arts schools across Australia and beyond – providing expert input, business development tools, and a vibrant network for exchange and mutual support.
De Vries delivered two keynote lectures focusing on the psychology of business growth, communication, and sustainable school leadership.
In addition to outlining common mistakes in scaling up martial arts schools, he shared practical insights into how instructors can improve their teaching presence, motivation techniques, and communication with students and parents.
“Great instructors never stop learning,” he said.
“The more we invest in our people, the stronger our schools become.”
Drawing from his experience as a trainer of instructors and founder of one of Germany’s most established martial arts education systems, he highlighted simple but effective ways to strengthen teaching skills, improve group management, and elevate the classroom atmosphere – especially when working with younger students.
He also shared approaches for identifying and developing strong teaching talent while growing school teams.
“If we want better classes, we need better instructors,” he said.
“And if we want better instructors, we need a better system to find, train and support them.”
He also addressed parent communication and how psychological triggers influence trust and decision-making – critical for enrolment and long-term relationships.
De Vries praised the professionalism of the event.
“I’ve spoken at martial arts summits across Europe, the US, and Mexico – but this one stood out,” he said.
“It was not only well organised, but deeply human.
“The Australian instructors I met were passionate, open and eager to grow.”
Kamila Adamczyk, his partner and operations co-ordinator, said the venue had a perfect balance of professional structure and welcoming energy.
“You could really feel the passion behind the event,” she said.
The event was hosted by Danielle Drew, whom de Vries first met in 2018 at a summit in Boston.
Photos were provided by Francine Schaepper, Australia’s most sought-after martial arts photographer, whose experience spans more than 25 years of martial arts training and more than 70 dojos documented worldwide.
De Vries is the founder of 13 martial arts academies in Germany, where more than 11,000 students have trained under his system.
His schools offer government-recognised vocational training and dual study programs for future instructors.
He also served for 12 years in the German military police and is known internationally for his expertise in close combat and restraint techniques.
In 2022 he was endorsed by Cobra Kai actor Joe Seo.
His story and education model were recently featured in a full-day professional TV production for a major international streaming platform, with release expected later this year.
De Vries continues his 2025 speaker tour with upcoming keynote appearances in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Mexico.
