About KICKS Martial Arts
Newington’s home for Kenpo 5.0 • Serving the community since 2013 • More than a martial arts school
A Father’s Mission
KICKS was born out of a simple but powerful idea. When David Giovenco’s daughter started school in Newington, he wanted more than just a place for her to go after the bell rang. As a martial artist with decades of training and a deep belief in what the discipline can do for a child’s character, he saw an opportunity to create something different.
In 2013, he opened KICKS — a place where children could come after school, do their homework in a structured environment, eat a healthy snack, and then train in Kenpo 5.0 under proper instruction. It was never just about keeping kids busy. It was about building them up.
What started as an afterschool care alternative quickly became something far greater. KICKS grew into a full martial arts school — serving children, teenagers, and adults across the Newington and Silverwater community — with a reputation for producing confident, disciplined, and capable people.
2013
Founded
10+
Years
1000+
Students
“At KICKS, everything we do is built around one core belief: martial arts should develop strong, capable, and confident people both on and off the mats.”
KICKS Martial Arts — Our Philosophy
Kenpo 5.0
Kenpo 5.0 is a modern evolution of traditional Kenpo, designed to be practical, adaptive, and highly effective in real-world situations. It blends striking, movement, timing, and strategy into a structured system that grows with the student.
The system focuses on progression through clear levels of development, ensuring students don’t just learn techniques, but understand why they work. Training includes forms, sets, self-defence applications, and live-response drills that build awareness, control, and confidence.
Kenpo 5.0 is not just about fighting—it’s about developing precision, discipline, and the ability to respond under pressure with clarity and control.
Forms & Sets
Build body mechanics, precision, and the deep principles that underpin every movement in the system.
Self-Defence Techniques
Structured responses to real attacks using angles, timing, and leverage—not strength alone.
5.0 Fighter
Progressive sparring and competition training that bridges technique and live application.
5.0 Grappler
Ground survival and close-range defence for real-world encounters where stand-up isn’t enough.
Jeff Speakman
Jeff Speakman is a world-renowned martial artist, actor, and instructor who dedicated his life to preserving and evolving Kenpo into a more functional and accessible system for modern training environments.
With decades of experience in both performance and real-world application, Jeff Speakman developed Kenpo 5.0 to bridge the gap between traditional martial arts and practical self-defence. His approach emphasises efficiency, structure, and adaptability, ensuring students can apply their skills when it matters most.
His legacy continues through certified schools worldwide, including KICKS, where his philosophy and system are taught with integrity and consistency.
David Giovenco
David Giovenco plays a key role in the development and delivery of the KICKS training philosophy. His focus is on ensuring that students not only learn martial arts techniques, but also build confidence, resilience, and strong personal values through their training journey.
Through structured coaching and a deep commitment to student development, David helps bridge the gap between technical skill and real-world application. His leadership supports both beginner and advanced students in progressing through the Kenpo 5.0 system with clarity and purpose.
The KICKS Team
The KICKS Team represents a group of dedicated instructors and mentors who bring the Kenpo 5.0 system to life every day on the mats. Each instructor is committed to creating a positive, structured, and high-energy training environment where students feel supported while being challenged to grow.
Beginners
Every Journey Starts Here
No experience needed. Our instructors are trained to meet students where they are, making the first step feel natural and welcoming.
Developing Students
Growth With Purpose
The team focuses on structured progression—building not just martial artists, but confident individuals who carry discipline and respect into everyday life.
Advanced Students
Pushed to Full Potential
For those refining their skills, our senior instructors provide the depth of knowledge and challenge needed to reach the next level.
What Our Members Say
Her confidence level — that was one of our main reasons for bringing her to KICKS. Now she’s just come out of her shell completely. Before Kenpo 5.0 she couldn’t talk in front of a crowd.
Heath Mason
Parent
My kids really love coming to KICKS — even if they didn’t have to come, they’d still choose to. They will blossom in ways you didn’t necessarily expect.
Kathy Thorne
Mother of 3 Boys
Thank you for all your support with our kids. You are an amazing team — my daughter enjoys every day at KICKS.
Mr Reyes
Parent
Come Train With Us
Your first class is free. Come and experience KICKS for yourself — no commitment required.