our coaches
Kieran Keddle is a former 3-time world Muay Thai champion and was ranked UK No.1 for eight consecutive years. He made history as the first British fighter to compete at both the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium and Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Over a professional career spanning 78 fights, Keddle competed internationally across Thailand, Japan, the UK, France, Holland, Italy, Morocco, and Hong Kong, gaining a reputation for elite-level striking and durability.
Following his competitive career, Keddle has established himself as one of the leading striking coaches in the world. He has coached over 23 world champions across Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA, and was named among the Top 10 striking coaches globally by Warrior Collective.
He has worked with high-profile athletes and celebrities, including Idris Elba on the Discovery Channel series Fighter, and has coached fighters who have gone on to compete in major organizations such as the UFC and ONE Championship.
Keddle is also the founder of Muay Thai World Cup, Canada’s leading professional Muay Thai promotion, delivering elite-level events and developing pathways for fighters from grassroots to world stage.
Barry McDonald is a world-class professional trainer with a lifetime dedication to martial arts, bringing high-level experience across kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing, judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and MMA.
With a proven coaching record, Barry has developed multiple world, North American, national, provincial, and regional champions. His expertise is built on training alongside world champion fighters and coaches, giving him a deep understanding of elite performance and fight preparation.
Barry has worked with a wide range of clients, including police, fire services, paramedics, military personnel, sports teams, gym owners, and both professional and amateur fighters. His coaching style adapts to all levels, training men, women, and children with goals ranging from competition to general fitness.
Specializing in fight preparation, self-defense, weight loss, and confidence building, Barry delivers structured, results-driven training in a positive and disciplined environment.
His philosophy is simple: everyone is welcome—no ego, no excuses—just real results through hard work and proven methods.
Coach Wes Kemp brings over 20 years of martial arts experience, beginning his journey in 2000 with a strong foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Peterborough, Ontario. He was an early competitor in Canada’s grassroots MMA scene, compiling an amateur record of 2–1 before the sport became mainstream.
After returning to full-time training in 2014, Wes developed a well-rounded skill set across boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, blending disciplines into a highly effective coaching style. He trained under respected coach Jeff Montemurro and alongside Mitch Clarke, gaining valuable experience in high-level environments.
From 2015 to 2022, Wes was a core member of the Shaved Bears MMA Pro Team, one of Canada’s respected fight teams. During this time, he trained daily with elite athletes including Tanner Boser, KB Bhullar, and Unified MMA Light Heavyweight Champion Graham Park, contributing to a high-performance culture.
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt, Wes played a key role in athlete development—coaching kickboxing programs, serving as a primary pad holder for professional fighters, and supporting multiple fight camps.
He has also cornered athletes in professional and championship-level bouts, while completing two of his own professional fight camps, demonstrating firsthand dedication to the sport.
Wes is recognized for his technical precision, high fight IQ, and ability to develop striking through detailed pad work. His coaching focuses on building disciplined, resilient athletes in a structured, team-first environment.
Gary Ward has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 10 years and is a purple belt under Professor Tim Blanchard (Alavanca). Outside the gym, he works as a Security and Engagement Supervisor at a recreation centre. He focuses on creating a welcoming, beginner-friendly environment where everyone can learn at their own pace and build strong fundamentals. His favourite part of coaching is seeing techniques click during sparring and watching students grow in confidence over time.
Coach Abraham (Abrie) Kilian is a highly experienced martial arts coach, bringing nearly two decades of coaching expertise and a uniquely multidisciplinary background to the development of his athletes. Originally from South Africa, his martial arts journey began at the age of 12, where he quickly distinguished himself in both karate and freestyle fighting. He went on to represent Team Canada in both kickboxing and karate in 2011 and 2012, achieving a top 5 finish at the 2012 WKC Kickboxing World Championships. Today, he holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is an accomplished competitor, including titles such as AJP Canadian Champion (2023) and IBJJF Toronto Champion.Beyond competition, Coach Kilian brings a rare blend of academic and professional excellence to his coaching. He holds a Master’s degree in Law from York University and is a Registered Professional Coach with the Coaches Association of Canada. His additional training in Positive Psychology, with a focus on sport psychology and high-performance development, allows him to coach beyond technique—developing resilient, focused, and mentally strong athletes. He is also currently pursuing admission to the Alberta Bar, reflecting his continued pursuit of excellence across disciplines.Over the past 18 years, Coach Kilian has built a proven track record of developing high-level athletes and leaders. Between 2021 and 2024, he coached 13 Canadian Champions, including an athlete ranked #2 in the world in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Having previously founded and led Kilian Academy, he now coaches at Keddle Academy, where his mission extends beyond producing champions. He is committed to instilling discipline, confidence, and strong, time-tested values—shaping athletes into solution-driven individuals equipped for success both on and off the mat.
KK ACADEMY COCHRANE
KK ACADEMY BRAGG CREEK
KK ACADMEY OKOTOKS
