F45 Browns Plains: Gym distances itself from trainer Nick Kepu

Browns Plains’ F45 gym finally speaks out about the employment of a former trainer following his court appearance for domestic violence this week.

UPDATE: Three days after his sentence for the bashing of his ex-wife’s new partner a Logan gym has moved to distance itself from personal trainer Tamafaiga Nick Kepu, 27.

On Friday the gym released an official statement regarding his employment.

“F45 Browns Plains does not tolerate or condone violence and is appalled by this unacceptable and illegal behaviour,” it read.

“F45 Browns Plains employed the former trainer on a casual contract for up to two shifts per week in October 2020.

“F45 Browns Plains was unaware of the incident that occurred some 18 months prior.

“A week before Christmas 2020, F45 Browns Plains was made aware of the situation, and the former trainer was removed from the roster and has not worked since.

“F45 Browns Plains does not employ the former trainer.”

EARLIER: A popular Logan gym has closed ranks around personal trainer Tamafaiga Nick Kepu, who was sentenced to two years’ jail with immediate parole on Tuesday for bashing his ex-wife’s new partner and grabbing her by the throat.

The wall of silence was broken only on Thursday morning, when F45 Training Browns Plains owner Conan Taupo and another unidentified personal trainer offered a perfunctory “no comment” after they were asked whether Mr Kepu, 27, was still employed at the gym in light of his actions.

Tamafaiga Nick Kepu from a since-deleted F45 Training Browns Plains Facebook post in October last year announcing his commencement as a personal trainer at the gym. Picture: Facebook/ F45 Training Browns Plains.

However, this interaction had a bizarre coda after one of the pair was heard saying reporters could expect a “free uppercut” if they were sighted again.

This threat occurred within earshot of a gym cleaner and an F45 client.

F45 Training Browns Plains owner Conan Taupo. Picture: Facebook/ Conan Taupo.

F45 Browns Plains phone number was disconnected following Tuesday’s revelations, and a request for comment from F45 Training head office submitted early Wednesday afternoon is yet to be acknowledged.

Questions submitted to F45 Training included whether Mr Kepu remained an employee of F45 Browns Plains, whether the gym was aware of the (then) allegations against Mr Kepu when they hired him in October last year, and whether they agreed some female members of F45 Browns Plains would be uncomfortable with Mr Kepu’s presence in light of his actions.

Beenleigh man Tamafaiga Nick Kepu pumps his fist upon being given immediate parole in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: Alex Treacy

A Facebook post by F45 Browns Plains announcing Mr Kepu’s hiring in October has since been deleted, but a post proudly updating their ‘Beastplains’ family on training undertaken by Mr Kepu, an amateur MMA fighter.

An F45 Training Browns Plains Facebook post in support of their then-member, who was subsequently employed as a personal trainer, Tamafaiga Nick Kepu, 27. Mr Kepu has been declared as being convicted of six domestic violence offences. Picture: Facebook/ F45 Training Browns Plains.

Meanwhile, a request for comment from Mr Kepu’s rugby union club, Sunnybank Dragons, for whom he played first-grade for as centre up until recently, has also been unanswered.

Mr Kepu was photographed pumping his fist at supporters as he left Beenleigh Courthouse on Tuesday following his immediate parole.

* F45 Training Browns Plains has now confirmed Mr Kepu’s employment was terminated last year after the company became aware of the then-allegations against Mr Kepu.

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