Our Trainers

DAVE FRIEDMAN

Managing Director and Chief Instructor

Dave is the Director and Chief instructor of Krav Maga Australia. He is also the Australian head instructor of the Combat Krav Maga Association and a qualified instructor for the American-based Krav Maga Alliance association. In addition, Dave has achieved his level 2 instructor accreditation in the Floro Fighting System, under Guro Ray Floro, advanced through the Kinetic Fighting (KEF) System and is a Trauma Informed Coach. Dave is a personal safety expert with over 25 years’ experience teaching self-defence and overall personal safety to children and adults alike. He is passionate about maximising his student’s personal safety in any environment, whilst improving their skills, fitness and self-esteem.

Shelle Friedman

Director and Instructor

‍

2025 Kingston Woman Of The Year Finalist. With qualifications and extensive experience as a Behaviour and Neurodiversity Advocate, Trauma Informed Coach and Fitness Instructor, Shellé brings her special skill set to every session to ensure that every individual gets the attention, focus and learning strategies they need to maximise their Krav Maga Australia training experience. Shellé also provides training and support to all our instructors ensuring that Krav Maga Australia is best equipped to provide our clients with the highest level of training. A dedicatated professional of more than 16 years, Shellé’s diverse range of Australian and South African experience in corporate and education settings together with her work with sufferers of trauma: PTSD and victims of domestic violence, allows her to connect with clients and provide a sensitive, supportive and comfortable experience for every client.

"Everyone needs to feel comfortable, supported and safe in order to learn and be the best they can be." - Shellé

Jackson Kerr

Senior Instructor - Boxing, Krav Maga, Mauy Thai and Fitness Instructor

Jackson has been a huge fan of anything and everything martial arts since he first saw the cartoon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He has more than 10+ years’ experience in boxing, having competed in multiple amateur and semi professional bouts, as well as extensive experience in MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Continuing his passion for martial arts through Krav Maga, Jackson is an accredited Krav Maga Instructor under the Combat Krav Maga International Federation and a certified Personal Trainer. He has overcome many obstacles to become the inspiring person and trainer he is today and with his experiences, he loves to help his students on their own fitness and martial arts journey!
‍

Razi Pilli

Krav Maga Instructor

Razi has been training Krav Maga for more than 15 years, joining KMA as a teenager. Razi fell in love with the realism and effectiveness of Krav Maga, and credits it for him safely escaping from several threatening situations. He started teaching at KMA in 2018. After seeing the positive impact self-defence training has had on KMA students, Razi started volunteering as an instructor for disadvantaged groups, working with non-profit organisations. When not teaching on the mats, Razi works in Public Policy advocacy.

Nelson Lay

Head of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Nelson Lay has been training BJJ since 2007 and is a black belt under Marcelino Freitas. He is an active competitor and has won Victorian, and Pan Pacific competitions whilst progressing through the belt ranks. Nelson holds a double degree in Exercise Science and Sport Management with Honours in Exercise Physiology, as well as extensive teaching experience through years of tutoring at Deakin University and teaching the art of Jiu-jitsu to students in Australia and overseas. He has a passion for traveling, rock climbing, breathwork and meditation, and hopes to bring a holistic approach to BJJ to his students.
‍
Most recent achievements:
‍
2nd place 2022 Vic State Championship (Brown Belt)
1st place 2022 Pan Pacific Championship (Brown Belt)
2nd place 2021 Vic State Championship (Brown Belt)
2nd place 2021 Pan Pacific Championship (Brown Belt)
3rd place 2019 Australian National Championship (Brown Belt)