| Biography of Frank Barca |
Triathlon ProfileOther InterestsFinal Note
My name is Frank Barca, I have been actively involved in Martial arts since July 1979 at the age of 9. In this time I have had the privilege to train with some of the most prominent teachers available to me over this time period. I first began training under Sensei Noel Kuhnd at the Zen Do Kai Karate School in Hadfield in ’79 and remained there until 1999. My training over two decades took me from white belt to the level of 3rd degree Blackbelt. What I had learned and endured during this time was truly a privilege and an amazing experience. Some of my greatest accomplishments in the time spent on the mat in ZDK include going undefeated for 12 months on the local tournament circuit winning my divisions in free fighting, kata and weapons, and completing my Nidan test at the age of 21. Thirty rounds of two minutes each of contact free fighting with fresh opponents. The ‘martial arts marathon’ or the 30 man ‘Kumite’ as it is also known, is no longer practiced in the ZDK system, due to its danger and risk to participants. In 1993, I was awarded the Red Singlet level (Teachers level) in BJC Muay Thai boxing, and trained groups at the Footscray stable for 4 years, which housed 30 Thai boxers. Training in this art took me Overseas to New Zealand where I trained with the most senior authorities in this art. Kyoshi Sama Bob Jones 7th Dan, along with his most senior assistant, Kyoshi Sama Steve Nedelkos 7th Dan. In this time, training alongside champions was daily routine, where I learned immensely while amongst them. In October of 1994 I began training in Iwama Ryu Aikido under the guidance of Sensei Michael Field 5th Degree blackbelt, who is the Australian that has spent the most time on the mat with the founders number one student, Morehiro Saito Sensei, living and training in Iwama for 3 years full time. I am graded and certified at the level of Shodan in Iwama Ryu along with a Shodan level certificate in Aiki weapons (Ken and Jo). I trained with Sensei Field for 5 years. In 1997 I met my current teacher and mentor, Hanshi Patrick McCarthy 8th Dan, who is a world renowned expert martial arts Teacher, holds numerous high rankings in areas such as Judo, Ju Jutsu, Classical Swordsmanship, several weapons traditions and Chinese Quanfa. He was among the first wave of submission grapplers that went to Japan to test there skills in mixed martial arts competition. Hanshi McCarthy was also a world champion in kata, kumite and weapons, holding titles in North America and Internationally rated for many years. Hanshi McCarthy was the first person to establish a tertiary level martial arts teachers program in Brisbane where the program ran for 5 years producing some of the best instructors around the world. He has taught over 500 seminars worldwide and is one of the most sought after teachers around the world today. He is the author of many best sellers on the civil fighting traditions and also lectures at University and tertiary levels. He has translated many ancient texts about martial arts philosophy, which has made significant in-roads into better understanding the application of these civil fighting traditions worldwide. In March 2001, I was awarded the rank of 4th Degree Blackbelt in Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu (Classical Okinawan martial arts) and submitted an eight thousand word dissertation as part of my assessment. On June 26th, 2002 I opened the Precision Martial Arts Academy at 100 West St Hadfield. A full time academy running Children’s programs, Teenage programs and Senior training along with specific Weapons & Grappling classes, running 6 days per week. The success of the school’s first year required us to relocate to 190B Sussex St Coburg at the start of 2004, and is currently servicing over 150 members. In May 2004, I was awarded the rank of 3rd Degree Blackbelt in Yamaneryu Kobudo (Weapons) in which 3 weapons were demonstrated and graded at 3rd Dan. At present, I am the highest-ranking weapons exponent in this ancient art of Yamaneryu Kobudo worldwide under the guidance of Hanshi McCarthy. At the same time, one of my own students was presented with the Yudansha level status (Shodan Ho) or probationary Blackbelt, which in itself, among teachers of Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu, is a rarity. In February 2005, I was graded and awarded the teachers title of ‘Shidoin”, lower masters level certification from Hanshi McCarthy himself which placed me alongside some of the most credentialed teachers worldwide in Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu. A ten thousand word dissertation was part of the assessment. I also had the pleasure of witnessing the promotion of my most senior student to ‘Shodan’ level Blackbelt. I am currently subcontracted to the All Stars Self Defence organization where I have been teaching various programs since 1992. During this time, I have enjoyed the challengers it has provided in educating young, impressionable minds about prevention and awareness, along with better evaluating proper decision making, dealing with peer group pressure and health and fitness.
I am a two time finisher of the Australian Ironman Triathlon (2002 & 2003) finishing in 10 hrs 38mins and 10 hours 17 mins respectively. It rates in the top 10% in my age group. I am currently training in triathlon and compete each year ranging from Long to short course. My reasoning to train so hard is that my own students amaze me at their commitment to being fit and strong, and due to my teaching commitments limits my own mat time, so I train around those hours to stay in shape.
During my Ironman training, I completed 4 marathons, 7 x 180 km bike sessions, swam, rode and ran 100’s of Time trials and produced some of the best results I could have ever imagined. Tony Benson and Sean Foster are the two people who have helped me learn about training and setting goals in athletics, which has permeated into my teaching philosophy as well. We have currently 50% of all senior students on training programs and achieving fantastic results.
In 1992 I completed a 12 month course in Sports and relaxation massage therapy with Oriental Acupressure/Therapy and point location treatment. It took me into a small business called Hyperformance Therapy situated at Sydney Road Coburg for 2 years full time and was also employed by the AFL for two seasons as a trainer during the 1993/94 premiership season at Fitzroy. In 1995, I received my level 2 tennis coaching status and coached tennis to hundreds of children in the Northern Region with Mr. Phillip Conlan of Conlan Tennis, where I enjoyed many hours learning about coaching for 3 years. I also helped devise training programs where I helped raise the fitness and strength levels of his top students. I have a passion for reading (researching material of interest) and music, I
Since the time I was introduced to the Martial arts, I have learnt so much and owe so much to many of the great teachers in my life. I have tried to apply everything that I have appropriated into what I do each and every day. I love what I do and I feel privileged to be able to help giving back to others as others have given to me. My greatest teachers who have influenced me most are my parents, Rocco and Antoinetta Barca along with my two brothers Vince Barca (2 x Australian Ironman finisher and 1 x world championship qualifier and Ironman Hawaii competitor and friend) and Daniel Barca, my youngest brother who has achieved so much as well and has taught me determination and persistence through his work running a Café in central Melbourne. Two truly great men. My sister Angela Barca-Stella who has her own pattern and dress making business, who has taught me enormous things about how to deal with people, solving problems and looking at things differently. And my wife Karina, who has played the biggest part in helping me keep it all together and to consider the feelings of others regardless of my own. The proverbial rock of Gibraltar. And my two children Ondre` (4yrs) and Caprice (2yrs) who certainly have taught me patience, and to appreciate the little things. Martial Arts is my life. Since the conception of the Precision Martial Arts Academy, all my dreams have come true. I have long wanted to provide a place where like minded people can get together, to just……..Train! We are all where we are because of every thought and decisions we have made. I live each day as if it is my last, with no regrets of the past, with no fear of the future and without missing the moment. Frank Barca
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