HEAD BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU & JUDO INSTRUCTOR
Andell started his Martial Arts journey at the age of 7 with his father in his native Trinidad and Tobago. He continued his training under the instruction of Master Francis Hospidalis and Sensei Garfield Christian, where he studied Classical Japanese Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Karate. In 2000, Andell received his black belt under Master Hospidalis. Since then he has had two Martial Arts clubs in Trinidad as well as the University of Manitoba. In 2006 Andell started his training in Aikikai Aikido under Sensei Ben Lim (5th Dan) and received his Aikido Black Belt from K. Igarashi Sensei (7th Dan Aikikai).
In 2007 Andell began his training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Gracie Barra Calgary where he trained under Professor Josh Russell and received his blue belt from Professor Russell in 2012. Andell received his purple belt under Gracie Barra Professor Clifton Baker in April 2014 and his Brown Belt in October 2015. In October 2018 Andell received is BJJ Black Belt from Professor Tom DeBlass. Andell is the first international Black Belt under Professor Tom DeBlass, and currently trains and teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the guidance of Professor Tom DeBlass.
Certifications: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt, First Aid & CPR
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Renzo Gracie > Ricardo Almeida > Tom DeBlass > Andell Alexander
HEAD BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU INSTRUCTOR
Clifton started martial arts at an early age. Like many martial artists he started with karate and achieved his 1st degree Black Belt before he turned his focus towards other styles. For the past 10+ years Clifton has been dedicated to learning Brazilian Jiu jitsu. Clifton earned his black belt while studying under Josh Russell of Gracie Barra Calgary. Clifton currently holds the rank of 1st degree black belt which he received from Professor Tom DeBlass. While studying Jiu Jitsu Clifton also set his focus on graduating university with a degree in teaching. He now blends both his understanding of teaching and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as he teaches future martial artists of all ages and abilities.
Certifications: First Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt, First Aid & CPR
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlos Gracie Junior > Josh Russell > Clifton Baker
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU INSTRUCTOR
Jeff was awarded his First Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Master Royler Gracie. Prof JJ has been practicing the gentle art for the past 14 years and his teaching methods focus on the fundamentals of Jiu Jitsu with emphasis on the small details in each positon and technique. Off the mats in his professional life, Jeff is the Vice President of a major financial institution and has been calling Calgary his home for the past 10 years. Notwithstanding his successful career in the finance world, Jeff is an avid scuba diver and believes “the only good suit is a wetsuit.”
Certifications: First Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt, First Aid & CPR-C
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr. > Carlos Gracie Junior > Josh Russell > Jeff James
HEAD KICKBOXING INSTRUCTOR
Nico’s professional fighting career had him travelling throughout Asia (Japan, South Korea and Thailand) From 2003 to 2008 Nico was a sponsored fighter through Wajutsu Keishukai Nagasaki under Yoshinori Nishi. In 2006 Nico became a champion, the UN-JK Middle Weight Kickboxing Champion to be exact. Affinity Academy is very proud to offer Kickboxing classes from an X-Champion of the world. While attending a Kickboxing class from Nico you will find out why he was called Nico “Pittsburgh No Doku Sasori”
PROGRAM DIRECTOR & WOMAN’S ONLY BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU INSTRUCTOR
Coach Zee has been practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2013 and is an active competitor. She received her Purple Belt from Professor Tom DeBlass in October 2018. Since she began training BJJ she has progressed faster than usual due to her natural athletic ability. Her favourite and most effective move is the well known Triangle Choke and when combined with the Armbar she keeps her opponents on the defensive. Coach Zee’s goal is to pass on her knowledge of BJJ to other women so that they too, can reap the amazing benefits of this Martial Art. Whenever possible Coach Zee finds time to compete at a tournament level and has two 1st place finishes in the Alberta Provincial Championships.
Certifications: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple belt, First Aid & CPR
ASSISTANT BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU INSTRUCTOR
Allan holds the rank of Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has a passion for Jiu Jitsu and is one of the best Kids BJJ Instructors in Calgary. Allan started his BJJ journey in Ottawa at the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts in 2010. He moved to Calgary in 2014 and joined Affinity Academy. He enjoys working with the kids at Affinity Academy and tries to include BJJ games along with techniques to keep training time fun as well as educational. When he is not on the mats or with his family, Dr. Allan is teaching Traditional Chinese Medicine or treating people using acupuncture at his clinic. Whenever possible Allan finds time to compete at a tournament level and most recently enjoyed a 3rd place finish in the Alberta Provincial Championships (No Gi).
Certifications: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple belt, First Aid & CPR
ASSISTANT BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU INSTRUCTOR
Jack started Training during his 1st year at the University of Toronto in 2012. Since then, Jack has trained and competed across Canada, spending time in BC, Ontario and Alberta. Jack is a devoted student of the art and spends much of his spare time analyzing high level competition footage from events all over the world. Jack’s passion for BJJ led him to co-found the University of Toronto Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club (Now the University of Toronto Grappling club) before graduating from U of T in 2016. Being a smaller grappler, Jack often competes in weight classes above his own, with occasional forays into the open weight division. Jack’s competitive achievements include a Silver Medal in the 2018 CBJJF Alberta Provincial Open, a gold medal in the 2014 IBJJF Toronto Open, a Bronze Medal at the 2013 Roots BJJ Challenge in Vancouver and a bronze medal at the Revolution MMA BJJ Tournament in Coquitlam in 2013.
ASSISTANT BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU INSTRUCTOR
James started training in BJJ in February 2016 as a way to rebuild his body after a major surgery. James soon discovered that BJJ wasn’t just repairing his body but refreshing his mind as well. James was promoted to Blue Belt in August of 2017 and credits his BJJ training as a source of recent professional success. James is an assistant instructor in the children’s class and also leads an active mentor group of adults. James’ favorite BJJ position is Kesa Gatame (Scarf Hold) and when he isn’t on the mats he enjoys comic books, anime and is a passionate Philadelphia Eagles and Flyers fan! James competed in his first tournament as a white belt in April of 2017 where he finished 3rd.