Meet Grant Rollinson
Hi there! My name is Grant Rollinson, 6th Dan, Founder and Principal Instructor at GSKarate. I use my Martial Arts skills and unwavering enthusiasm to teach students at all ages and abilities, the respected art of Shotokan Karate-do. Read more to discover my Karate history and how I started 6 successful Perth Martial Arts clubs that specialise in Shotokan Karate.
How my Karate life began
In a previous life, I had my own advertising and marketing company for 20 years. That was, until I decided a sea change was for me.
I began training in Karate shortly after my move from Christchurch, NZ to Perth, in 1980.
Having already trained and competed in a number of team sports such as soccer, hockey, basketball and baseball in my youth, I wanted to turn my attention to another form of sport in the area of Martial Arts.
I chose Shotokan Karate for its focus on whole body skills, strength and agility, both mental and physical. Also, I wanted to gain self-defence training, as you never can know when these skills come in useful. I figured it’s better to have some skills, than having none, if I found myself in a tight spot one day!
Shotokan Karate helped me keep fit and destress from work deadlines. With training, you simply cannot think about anything else. So, all those family issues, deadlines, and work problems fade away! I would have a good workout and mental stimulation. Because of this, I usually slept very well, which meant I started the next day feeling very good and motivated.
Gaining greater skills and motivation in Shotokan Karate
Under the leadership of Sensei Hirokazu Kanasawa, I trained as a member of Shotokan Karate International Australia. In 1988, I began instructing Shotokan Karate myself at my first club.
In 1998, I joined the World Shotokan Karate-do Federation, training gratefully and humbly under Sensei Hitoshi Kasuyu 9th Dan, its founder and Chief Instructor.
To this very day, Sensei Kasuyu remains an important influence and inspiration due to his keen knowledge, impressive Shotokan Karate skillset and ability to mix traditional Karate practices with modern innovation.
In 2009, I decided Shotokan Karate was going to become a full-time gig to focus on building my clubs and spend more quality time with my kids before and after school.
Where am I now?
These days, you can find me working hard on the floor and behind the scenes within my six Karate clubs in Perth with my wife, Sheela Rollinson, 3rd Dan.
I train a wide range of Perth Karate students, ages 4 and up, ranging from beginners to black belts.
There’s nothing more fulfilling to me, than seeing my students improve their physical abilities and self-confidence. It gives me great satisfaction too that a lot of my assistant instructors have trained under me, from their earliest beginnings, and stay on to inspire future students.
Shotokan Karate is more than ‘just a hobby’
To me, Shotokan Karate is more than just a hobby. The training learnt through classes, under the guidance of trained instructors, can be applied to everyday life. Shotokan Karate focuses on the past, present and future, as well as challenges the mind, body and spirit.
These days, we have many parents and older students who come back to Karate because of just how much it offers. Parents and students realise that the true value of Shotokan Karate is not just the fighting and self-defence, but rather having a strong work ethic, good morals, principles, self-control and respect. We instil these in every student and family.
We teach our students how to fight, but more importantly how not to fight! We value humility, patience, persistence, determination, understanding and perceptiveness. We teach our kids drive, active and attentive listening.. And in the Japanese way, we teach kids to respect their elders and others.
At GSKarate, it’s mine and the instructor’s shared vision to provide students the very best in Shotokan Karate experiences, within the world of Martial Arts.
So, if you’re keen to build on a good character and good attitude, I’m here to show you how.
I look forward to meeting and training you in one of my Shotokan Karate clubs in Perth.
You can find me in Kwinana, Riverton, Ellenbrook, Doubleview and Cannington.
Find out about our free trial for new students.
Dan rankings
Shodan (1st Dan) – Hirokaza Kanazawa SKI 1987
Nidan (2nd Dan) – Hirokaza Kanazawa SKI 1989
Sandan (3rd Dan) – Hitoshi Kasuya WSKF 1999
Yondan (4th Dan) – Hitoshi Kasuya WSKF 2006
Godan (5th Dan) – Hitoshi Kasuya WSKF 2012
Rokudan (6th Dan) – Hitoshi Kasuya WSKF 2019
Other Accreditations
WSKF World Championships 2007/2009/2013/2015/2017/2019 Judge, Japan (Representing Australia).
NCAS Level 1 Coach
Blackbelt training with senior students and instructors.