Hastings Kombat Academy proudly serving Hastings since 1998
Hastings Kombat Academy has classes in Hastings and Battle, perfect for kids, teen, and adult martial arts lessons.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.
We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programmes, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..
Get To Know Our World Class Instructors
Carl Denne
OWNER AND CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
My name is Carl Denne, Founder, CEO and Chief Instructor at Hastings Kombat Academy (HKA).
Martial arts has been a huge part of my life for over 30years. I first started boxing at the age of 8 before discovering Kickboxing and Kung Fu at 11 years old. From that moment on I was hooked. What started as a hobby quickly became a lifelong passion and eventually a career dedicated to helping others.
I began coaching at just 14 years old and started running my own gym at 17. Since then I have spent most of my life either training, competing, coaching or mentoring others through martial arts.
Today I am proud to hold a 4th Degree Black Belt and have studied a wide range of martial arts and combat systems including Kickboxing, K1, Thai Boxing, Boxing, Kung Fu, Lau Gar, Karate, Jujitsu, Judo, Self Defence, weaponsTraining and Survival Training. Throughout my journey I have competed sucessfully, coached fighters at all levels and worked as an instructor, referee, cornerman and international coach.
While I still love the competitive side of martial arts, my passion today is helping people transform their lives through training.
At HKA we don’t just teach kickboxing. We use martial arts as a vehicle to build confidence, discipline, resilience, respect and self-belief. Whether it’s helping a shy child find their confidence, supporting a teenager through difficult challenges, helping an adult improve their fitness, or coaching someone towards competition, our mission is always the same – to help people become the best version of themselves.
I am incredibly proud of what HKA has become. What started as a dream when I was 11 years old has grown into one of the leading martial arts academies in the area, helping hundreds of children, teens and adults every week. Alongside our training programs, we work closely with local schools, community organisations and families across East Sussex, supporting iniatives around anti-bullying, mental wellbeing, confidence building and personal development.
One of my proudest achievements isn’t the building, the titles or the trophies, its the positive impact our team has on peoples lives every single day. Seeing members grow in confidence, overcome obstacles and achieve things they never thought possible is what drives me to keep pushing forward.
Away from the academy, I am a proud husband and father to my two daughters Bethany and Leigha, who continue to inspire me every day and remind me why creating a strong family focused culture at HKA is so important.
For me Kickboxing isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life.
HKA Jenny
LEAD INSTRUCTOR
I am the lead Kickboxing instructor and Operations Manager for Hastings kickboxing Academy. I’ve been working for HKA for over 10 years now.
I run a number of kickboxing classes including tots age 3 to 6 years, beginner cadets age 7 to 11 years, beginner teens aged 11 to 17 years, and a mixture of adult classes including Circuits/ Bag Fit and Female Only classes.
I also coach alongside Carl in the advanced teen classes, adult beginner classes and HKA’s fight team.
I teach across five schools, primary and secondary, after-school clubs and teach SEN children across the secondary school board (Hastings Academy, St Leonards Academy and New Horizons).
This is just a few of the schools that I’m currently working with. Over the last 10 years I’ve worked with over 10 schools in Hastings and Rye area.
I love my job and what I do, and feel very passionately about it. I want to help everyone to reach their full potential and be the best they can be. It’s so rewarding helping others. It’s not just kickboxing, it’s a lifestyle. It’s not all about getting fit, it’s about mental health too, keeping the brain active – a healthy lifestyle is so important. I’m a firm believer of Healthy Body, Healthy Mind!
I’m great at what I do, not only being a great teacher but a very important member of the HKA team. I feel I’m also someone that people can come and talk to. The kids come to me, the parents come to me also, asking for help and advice.
I teach in HKA, in schools, outside, and in other gyms. I teach good kids, not-so-good kids, the ones that want to learn and the ones that struggle to learn. Every child is different and every child/adult has different needs. I teach from the age 3 to age 70 years.
My qualifications are;
- Qualified kickboxing instructor.
- Qualified level two and three personal trainer.
- Sports therapy diploma
- First aid trained
- Qualified corner person
- Certified in child protection
- Enhanced CRB/DBS
- Completed Posture course
- Completed a nutrition course
- Completed and certified COVID certificate.
I have studied in kung fu, Aikido, Lau gar, kickboxing, weapons, self defence, points fighting, survival camps, nutrition and personal training.
I’ve competed in many competitions within kickboxing and kung fu, becoming British number one.
I’ve also competed in cross fit and strong women competitions, and got to a very high standard.
I train myself 4 times a week, kickboxing and bodybuilding as it’s important to me to keep myself fit and in shape.
I work hard within HKA, teaching over 20 classes a week to over 260 members and also have personal training clients on top of that. Teaching over 370 people each week!
I’m also a Mum of 2 beautiful daughters, who inspire me every day.
Caz Sims
OPS MANAGER
HKA has been part of my life for over 10 years, long before I became Operations Manager 4 years ago.
From the start I felt at home here, the sense offamily, suopport and community is something truly special, and I’m proud to play a part in keeping that alive. My role is about more than making sure the academy runs smoothly; it’s about being ther for our members and team, wheteher they need encouragement on the mats or support in their every day lives.
Before joining HKA full-time I spent 18 years working in a children’s nursey as management and SENCO. Those years taught me patience, organisation, and the importance of caring for people as individuals, to enable them to grow and reach their full potential. I’ve carried those lessons with me, and they’ve shaped the way I approach my role at HKA, always putting people first.
When I’m not busy behind the scenes, I love stepping onto the mats myself. Kickboxing and weight training keep me fit, active and grounded. I enjoy watching football, going on dog walks and spending time with friends. But my biggest passion outside of HKA isI my family. I’m a very proud mum of 6 grown up children, and time with them is what makes me happiest of all.
For me, HKA isn’t just a place to train, its a second home, and I’m so grateful to share that home with our amazing members and team.
HKA Callum
CLUB INSTRUCTOR
I started kickboxing 11 years ago because I wanted to be more confident and make new friends. Over the 11 year period, I have grown a lot more confident and made friends.
When I was younger, I couldn’t go into the gym by myself because I was too shy and scared of other people. Now I can walk into the gym, nice and proud without being shy. I haven’t just been more confident in the gym, but I have been more confident in the outside area and talking to different people.
Over my time at HKA, I feel I have become stronger and more mature. I have become the best I can be, but I still know I can be better. An achievement of mine was when I became a Full Contact fighter. I used to do semi-contact, but I took a big step in October 2017 when I had my full contact debut on Fight Night 8. I won on my debut but since then I have had some tricky fights. I have lost some and won some but the ones that I have lost, I have overcome and come back stronger for the fights ahead.
I go kickboxing because I really enjoy it and I love teaching other people to make them better and to help them achieve their full potential. Over my time at HKA, I have done 2 first aid courses and I am a level 2 coach. Also, another point I have chosen to add is that I am now a brown belt in the grading system, and I have worked my socks off to get to where I am today. I am very privileged to be a brown belt because I know I didn’t just get handed it, I know that I have worked very hard for it and that is how I like to get things.
I have learnt that you don’t get handed things in life and you must work hard for them. I wouldn’t have learned all the things I have learnt and got to be the person I am today without the help of carl and jenny.
Age= 16
Achievements= level 2 coach, full-contact fighter, grade to brown belt, ICO southern area champion, WKO 5 nations champion, IKF Open champion, first aid trained
Kickboxing for 11 years
HKA Gillian
PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Hi, I’m Gillian and in short, I act as a first point of contact for all admin issues, PA for Carl.
Dealing with correspondence and phone calls. Managing diaries and organising meetings and appointments. Reminding Carl of important tasks and deadlines. Typing, compiling and preparing reports and presentations.
Helping Carl stay on point and balance his calendar and back of house allowing HKA to run as smoothly as possible.
HKA Ami
CLUB COACH
I have been training at HKA for over 5 years and I am currently a purple white stripe, hopefully Grading for my Blue Belt soon. Ifirst started kickboxing when I was finding school really difficult , and I found that kickboxing helped me release my emotions and build confidence. Since then I have passed my coaching course and am currently completing my instructor training course. At HKA I help coach in a range of classes, instruct a tots class, work on reception and am on the party team. HKA is such a nice, welcoming and supportive place and has helped me so much both inside and outside of training.anals
HKA Sade
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Hi my name is Sade Denne. My main role at HKA is front of house, to run the reception, stock and the day to day side of the business. I really enjoy welcoming our members in and being the face they see when they walk in, especially all the children coming through the door, all smiling and ready to train hard with the team, or the parents that know their children are going to be engaged and training hard, staying focused and motivated whilst with our instructors.
I also do my best to help Carl (my husband) with the day to day running of HKA, as a team we do our very best to help serve the community and make your experience with the best it can be!
So if we can help in anyway please don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re happy to help.
HKA Anthony
Hi, I’m Anthony a club coach here at HKA. I’ve been coaching for 3 years and enjoy helping members improve their technique and reach their goals.
Outside of training I enjoy making music and training in kickboxing. I’m passionate about staying active, learning new things and sharing my experience with others.
HKA Ana
Hi, my name is Ana and I am 17 years old. I love spending quality time with my friends and family as they are a huge part of my life and mean everything to me. I also love going on walks to help me clear my mind and help me stay focused.
I joined HKA because I wanted to push myself to do somethingthat I never thought I would do. I used to lack confidence, but since starting kickboxing my confidence has grown a lot both in and out of the gym.
HKA has helped me a create bonds with new people and push others and myself to grow even on tough days.
One of my favourite parts of coaching tots is seeing how excited they are to lkearn something new every week, and the laughter and excitement that they bring into every class really makes my day.
Being a coach has helped me to understand people from all different backgrounds and with all different needs, watching them grow, build confidence and have fun is one of the best parts of being a coach.
Coaching here has shown me how important and special it is when a team feels like family, and I’m so grateful to be part of something like that.
HKA Jess
Hi, I’m Jess and I’m 24 years old and am the Customer Care Advisor. You’ll usually find me on reception, helping parents and students, answering questions and making sure everyone feels welcome when they walk through the door.
I joined HKA in October 2025 as a member. I originally joined HKA because I was looking for something fun that would challenge me and push me out of my comfort zone. As someone who has always struggled with confidence, kickboxing has helped me grow so much, and I’ve loved seeing the positive impact it has had on me.
I’m currently a Yellow belt and looking forward to working my way through as many belts as possible.
One of my favourite things about HKA is the family atmosphere. Being a family-run business, everyone genuinely cares for each other, and it really feels like one big family that i’m grateful to be part of.
ITA's
Jo Mullineaux – Orange/White Stripe, Kickboxing 2 years. I enjoy the amazing sense of community that kickboxing provides, and the fact it helps with both my mental and physical health. Outside of kickboxing my interests are bookbinding, sewing, printing and wintering.
Summer Moyce -16yrs old, Green/White Stripe, I’ve done martial arts for 11yrs and have been a member at HKA for 2 years. I like kickboxing as it provides me a good routine and is very good for my mental health.
Joshua Irving, – Purple/White Stripe, Kickboxing at HKA for 18 months. I love to travel and experience new cultures, especially their food nad languages. I’m a bus driver by professiona nad have drivenin Manchester, Eastbourne and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. I enjoy kickboxing as I enjoy the complex moves, the fitness, the community and the philosophical style of life attributed to the martial arts.
Jo Entwistle – Green/White Stripe, Kickboxing for 4yrs – 2 yrs at HKA. I enjoy kickboxing as a way to deal with stress and chronic pain as well as feeling part of the community. I am a mum to 5 children. Outside of kickboxing I enjoy playing the guitar, singing, painting and used to be a dancer!
Ami Tutt – 15 yrs old, Purple/White Stripe, kickboxing for 4 years.
CTA Mentorship
Ruby Edwards 13yrs old, Purple/White Stripe, Kickboxing over 5yrs
Daniella Fjorodova 15yrs ols, Green/White Stripe, Kickboxing 5yrs
Taylor Pain 12yrs old, Orange/White Stripe, Kickboxing 6yrs
CTA Coaches
Bo Rolfe, 16yrs old, Purple belt, Kickboxing 3 yrs
Archie Sands, 14yrs old, Purple/White Stripe Kickboxing 3 yrs
Tom Chetwode, 15yrs old, Green/White Stripe, Kickboxing 18 months
Felicity Entwistle, 13yrs old, Purple/White Stripe, Kickboxing 4 years (2.5yrs at HKA)
Ana Santos, 17yrs old, Orange/White Stripe, Kickboxing 4 years
Omar Kamal, 15yrs old, Green/White Stripe, Kickboxing 18 months
Elsie Matthews, 15yrs old, Orange/White Stripe
Zavien Corbett, 12yrs old, Purple/White stripe, Kickboxing 8 years
Josh Light, 16yrs old, Green/White stripe, Kickboxing 18 months
Sam Bromley, 12yrs old, Purple/White Stripe, Kickboxing 9yrs
Summer Moyce, 16yrs old, Green/White stripe, Martial arts for 11 years
James Smith, 16yrs old, Purple/White stripe, Kickboxing 18 months
CTA Apprenticeship
Emilie Winters, 13yrs old, Purple/White Stripe, Kickboxing 4 years (18 months at HKA)
Dillon Welch, 12yrs old, Purple/White Stripe, Kickboxing 7 years
Lewis Richards, 16yrs old, Orange belt, Kickboxing 18 months
Tilly-Jean Jones, 13yrs old, Green belt, Kickboxing 18 months
Olivia Lyons, 13yrs old, Purple/White Stripe
PJ Brattley, 17yrs old, Orange/White Stripe, Kickboxing 18 months