Coach Aoife Guilfoyle
Head Dojo Instructor - 2nd Dan
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Aoife’s karate journey began at the age of 7 in Mayo, Ireland, where her passion for the sport quickly grew into a lifelong commitment. By age 10, she had already earned the title of Connaught Champion, a title she went on to defend multiple times. At just 12, Aoife was selected for the Irish National Karate Team, later earning multiple medals at the Irish Nationals. In 2011, she proudly represented Ireland at the World Karate Championships in Scotland, where she achieved a top ten finish (7th in cadet female kumite). At 14, she achieved her Shodan (1st-degree black belt) and is now a Nidan (2nd-degree black belt).
Her journey has been shaped by training under world-class instructors including Alan Biesty, Dermot O’Keefe, Scott Langley, and Masao Kagawa. Aoife brings not only competitive excellence but also a deep commitment to coaching. She has led athletes to success on the Atlantic stage as one of the Provincial Team Coaches with Karate PEI, where she also serves as Assistant Provincial Coach. Most recently, she was selected as an Assistant Coach for Team PEI at the 2027 Canada Games. Alongside this, she runs karate programs across PEI, from youth classes to women’s self-defence. Beyond karate, Aoife is also a Rowing PEI Junior Competitive Program Coach, where she develops season-long training plans, mentors athletes, and prepares them for regional and national competition. With over 10 years of coaching experience across sports, she is dedicated to helping athletes reach their potential both on and off the mat. Aoife also holds multiple certifications, including:
Her philosophy is athlete-centered: balancing discipline with encouragement, emphasizing technical precision, emotional resilience, and confidence. Above all, Aoife strives to create an inclusive, supportive dojo where every student, from beginner to elite competitor, can thrive.
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