Gym operations
Tomasi Shackley
Manager supporting the day-to-day Tribal MMA environment.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WORK
MEET THE
COACHES.
Great training starts with great people. Get to know the coaches, fighters and mentors who make Tribal MMA a place to learn, improve and belong.
MORE THAN INSTRUCTION
THE RIGHT
PEOPLE
CHANGE THE ROOM.
A coach does more than teach technique. They set the standard, create the environment and help people keep moving when training gets difficult.
Every profile introduces the person behind the coaching: their role, experience, focus and what they bring to the wider Tribal MMA team.
MEET THE PEOPLE
COACHING
PROFILES.
Meet the people who shape every session. Open a profile to learn about their experience, coaching focus and the role they play within Tribal MMA.
Leadership
OWNER · HEAD COACH
Paul Birch
Leadership, coaching culture and the standard behind Tribal MMA.
VIEW PROFILE
Paul Birch
Leadership, coaching culture and the standard behind Tribal MMA.
THE APPROACH
Built through experience.
Paul leads the overall training environment at Tribal MMA. His role reaches beyond technique: setting expectations, building culture and keeping the gym disciplined, welcoming and focused on genuine development.
ROLE
Owner · Head Coach
COACHING FOCUS
Leadership & member development
APPROACH
Clear standards with genuine support
PART OF TRIBAL
Culture and training-environment lead
CO-OWNER · COACH · PROFESSIONAL FIGHTER
Connor Birch
Current fight experience translated into purposeful everyday coaching.
VIEW PROFILE
Connor Birch
Current fight experience translated into purposeful everyday coaching.
THE APPROACH
Train with purpose.
Connor brings an active fighter’s perspective to the coaching team. His work connects fundamentals, technical detail and the realities of preparation—whether a student is building confidence or chasing competition.
ROLE
Co-owner · Coach
BACKGROUND
Professional MMA fighter
COACHING FOCUS
MMA & athlete development
PERSPECTIVE
Active competition experience
Coaching team
PROFESSOR · HEAD OF BJJ PROGRAM
Carlos Rocha
Technical leadership across Tribal MMA’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program.
VIEW PROFILE
Carlos Rocha
Technical leadership across Tribal MMA’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program.
THE APPROACH
Progress built on position.
Professor Carlos leads the BJJ program, helping students build the positions, control and decision-making that create lasting progress on the mats.
ROLEHead of BJJ Program
FOCUSBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu
DEVELOPMENTPosition · Control · Decision-making
PROFESSOR · BJJ & JUDO
Gabriel Schlupp
Gi, No-Gi and grappling knowledge backed by high-level experience.
VIEW PROFILE
Gabriel Schlupp
Gi, No-Gi and grappling knowledge backed by high-level experience.
THE APPROACH
Experience across disciplines.
Professor Gabriel is a BJJ black belt, Judo black belt and professional MMA fighter who contributes across Gi, No-Gi and fight-team development.
RANKSBJJ & Judo Black Belt
BACKGROUNDProfessional MMA fighter
FOCUSGi · No-Gi · Fight development
PROFESSOR · BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU
Professor Mariana
Black-belt BJJ knowledge focused on confident technical development.
VIEW PROFILE
Professor Mariana
Black-belt BJJ knowledge focused on confident technical development.
THE APPROACH
Confidence through technique.
Professor Mariana is a BJJ black belt who adds technical depth and another experienced perspective to Tribal MMA’s grappling program.
RANKBJJ Black Belt
FOCUSBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu
DEVELOPMENTTechnical confidence & progression
COACH · PROFESSIONAL MMA FIGHTER
Mitch McLaren
Professional fight experience brought directly into the training room.
VIEW PROFILE
Mitch McLaren
Professional fight experience brought directly into the training room.
THE APPROACH
Training that translates.
Coach Mitch “Thunder” McLaren brings the perspective of a professional MMA fighter, connecting day-to-day training with the demands of live competition.
ROLECoach
BACKGROUNDProfessional MMA fighter
PERSPECTIVETraining connected to competition
COACH
Vika Pasefika Williams
Helping keep sessions disciplined, supportive and welcoming.
VIEW PROFILE
Vika Pasefika Williams
Helping keep sessions disciplined, supportive and welcoming.
THE APPROACH
Purpose and community.
Vika is part of Tribal MMA’s coaching team, helping members train with purpose while contributing to the strong team environment at the gym.
ROLECoach
ENVIRONMENTDiscipline & community
FOCUSPurposeful member development
JUNIOR BJJ TRAINER
Mark Richardson
Helping younger grapplers build sound fundamentals and confidence.
VIEW PROFILE
Mark Richardson
Helping younger grapplers build sound fundamentals and confidence.
THE APPROACH
Strong foundations first.
Mark supports junior BJJ development, helping young students understand grappling foundations and build confidence through steady progress.
ROLEJunior BJJ Trainer
FOCUSJunior development
DEVELOPMENTFundamentals & confidence
JUNIOR MMA · ROCK & WATER TRAINER
Jade Olivia
Supporting younger students through movement, confidence and discipline.
VIEW PROFILE
Jade Olivia
Supporting younger students through movement, confidence and discipline.
THE APPROACH
Confidence through movement.
Jade supports Tribal MMA’s junior MMA and Rock & Water programs, helping younger students develop practical skills, confidence and positive training habits.
ROLEJunior Trainer
PROGRAMSJunior MMA & Rock & Water
FOCUSMovement · Confidence · Discipline
BEYOND THE CORNER
THE TEAM
BEHIND THE TEAM.
Coaching happens on the mats, but a strong gym also depends on the people supporting its day-to-day operation and wider member community.
Medical support
Doctors EJ & Sally
Medical practitioners within the wider Tribal support team.
ONE TEAM · ONE STANDARD
WHAT CONNECTS
EVERY COACH.
TEACH CLEARLY
Technique explained in a way students can understand and apply.
TRAIN SAFELY
Progress without losing respect for partners, the room or the process.
BUILD PEOPLE
Confidence, discipline and composure developed alongside skill.
KEEP PROGRESSING
A pathway from the first class to the next meaningful challenge.
YOUR FIRST SESSION STARTS HERE
MEET THE TEAM.
FIND YOUR TRIBE.
Book a free lesson, experience the coaching and find the class that fits where you want to go.
CALL TO BOOK A FREE LESSON