instructor Fila

Felipe Marcelino Gomes (AKA Fila), born in October 1983 in Criciuma (Santa Catarina, Brazil), moved to Sydney in 2005. Fila has always been passionate about sports and health. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science), a Certificate III in Fitness, the Beginning Coaching General Principles and the Active After-School Communities (AASC) Community Coach Training‏ Certificates.

He started to play Capoeira in 1999 by the group Liberdade, later called Beribazu, when he was 16 years old. He travelled around Brazil to participate in Capoeira events of different groups: Beribazu (Contra-Mestres Fabinho and Xiquinho), Liberdade (Mestre Peninha), Muzenza (Mestre Burgues), Abada (Mestre Camisa), Grupo de Capoeira Nacao ULBRA (Professor Paulo). He has medals from Capoeira competitions in these events. Even though very young, Fila conducted diverse workshops and organised events in his city to divulgate Capoeira. He also used to teach kids in a program similar to the afterschool care existent in Australia.

After he moved to Australia, he decided to continue his training with Group Capoeira Brasil, under supervision of Master Peixe. Since March 2009, he has held a blue belt, which is an instructor level in Grupo Capoeira Brasil. He has given many workshops and classes for kids and adults around Australia, such as Capoeira workshops in events in Sydney and Townsville, classes at the gym in the University of New South Wales (UNSW), festivals in Bondi Beach and Manly, etc.

In the middle of 2009, Fila started to teach Capoeira for kids in the afterschool care program around diverse schools in Sydney. Moreover, now he is responsible for the classes at Manly. He aims to transmit respect and discipline, contributing to the social and cultural formation of the community.