About us

About Global Martial Arts Brisbane

Global Martial Arts Brisbane is a full-time Taekwondo centre based in Underwood, Brisbane, committed to delivering high-quality martial arts instruction across all ages and levels. We offer a complete training pathway, from a child’s first steps on the mat through to international high-performance competition.

We combine the rich tradition of Taekwondo with modern, athlete-focused coaching to support every student, whether they’re looking for fitness, discipline, confidence, or elite competition.

At Global Martial Arts Brisbane, we are more than a martial arts school, we are a performance hub, a community, and a launching pad for athletes of all levels. Whether you’re just starting out or dreaming of international success, we have the team, programs, and experience to support your journey.

“Athletes developed by design, not by chance”.

Programs for All Ages and Abilities

Our Tiny Tigers program (ages 3–6) introduces young children to Taekwondo in a fun, structured environment that builds coordination, movement skills, confidence, and respect. As students grow, they transition into our junior programs and can pursue a competitive pathway aligned with their individual goals.

High-Performance Athlete Development

We are proud to operate one of Australia’s leading High-Performance (HP) Taekwondo programs, with dedicated support for both junior and senior athletes.

Our athletes consistently excel at local, state, national, and international levels. Program highlights include:

4 nationally categorised athletes
2 Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) scholarship holders
Cadet World Championship medallist
10 National team representatives
Multiple national, international, and state titles

We focus on long-term athlete development, combining high-level coaching, structured competition planning, and performance tracking to support our athletes through every stage of their journey.

Building Strong, Inclusive Athletes

We complement our technical training with tailored Strength & Conditioning (S&C) programs led by in-house Exercise Scientist Mitch Thomas, helping athletes enhance performance, prevent injuries, and meet the physical demands of Taekwondo. Alongside this, our newly launched Para-Taekwondo Program reflects our commitment to inclusion and equity, providing athletes of all abilities with access to elite coaching and competition, and aiming towards future representation at the LA28 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.

Our Leadership Team

Global Martial Arts Brisbane is led by Sadhbh McCarthy and Mark Hitchen, both internationally recognised coaches with decades of experience. Their combined expertise and passion have guided athletes to success at the highest levels, and they are widely respected for their technical knowledge and athlete-first approach.

Sadhbh McCarthy (High-Performance Coach)

Sadhbh McCarthy is the Performance Pathways Program (PPP) Queensland Lead and a member of the National Coaching Group for Australian Taekwondo. She has coached at World Championships and international G ranked events, leading athletes to success on both national and international stages. Sadhbh has organised and delivered international training camps across Europe, Asia, and Australia, collaborating with leading coaches and national teams. In 2024, alongside Mark and Loree Hitchen, Sadhbh co-founded Queensland’s first purpose-built high-performance Taekwondo centre combining elite training with strength and conditioning facilities to support athlete success.

Mark Hitchen (High-Performance Coach)

Mark Hitchen is a highly respected Taekwondo coach with a strong focus on youth high-performance athlete development. As a dedicated member of the Australian coaching community, Mark has coached at the Cadet World Championships, as well as across international, national, and local competitions. With extensive experience working with elite and pre-elite athletes, Mark is passionate about guiding the next generation of Taekwondo talent through the high-performance pathway. His athlete-focused approach emphasises technical excellence, resilience, and long-term success, ensuring that young athletes are well-prepared for both the competitive and personal challenges of high-level sport.

Mitch Thomas (Strength & Conditioning Coach)

Mitch Thomas, our expert strength and conditioning coach at GMA Brisbane. Mitch is an exercise scientist with a specialisation in strength and conditioning and end-stage rehabilitation. With extensive experience working with elite and pre-elite level Taekwondo athletes, Mitch brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team.

Jessica Borg (Para Coach)

Jessica Borg, QAS Para Coach for Taekwondo, is a former high-performance Taekwondo athlete and talent transfer boxing athlete, as well as a contracts specialist lawyer. Having navigated elite-level combat sports in both Taekwondo and boxing, Jess brings a wealth of experience and insight to her coaching. She is now dedicated to fostering access and inclusion for people of all abilities within Taekwondo.

Tiarnagh Sweeney (Poomsae Coach)

Tiarnagh Sweeney is a highly accomplished Taekwondo athlete, holding multiple national titles in both poomsae and sparring. She has achieved international podium finishes, including securing Australia’s first Cadet World Championship medal in Uzbekistan in 2019. Tiarnagh brings a wealth of experience, meticulous attention to detail, and a genuine passion for Taekwondo to her coaching. Alongside her coaching role, she is currently pursuing a degree in Physiotherapy at Griffith University.