It is with great respect and appreciation that we announce the promotion of Sensei David Tennant to the rank of Renshi within Zanshin Martial Arts.

The title of Renshi is not given lightly. It is a senior teaching title that represents not only technical ability, but also character, loyalty, leadership and long term service to the art. Within Zanshin Martial Arts, this title is reserved for instructors who have demonstrated these qualities consistently over many years of dedication.

Sensei David Tennant has been a valued member of our organisation for the past 18 years, beginning his journey in 2008 when he first joined with his son and daughter. From those early days he has shown a genuine love for training and a deep respect for the traditions and discipline of martial arts.

Over the years Sensei David Tennant has become a highly respected instructor within Zanshin Martial Arts. His students hold him in very high regard for the knowledge he brings to his classes, along with the patience and professionalism he consistently shows on the training floor. This respect is clearly reflected in the number of students who have progressed through the ranks under his guidance and gone on to achieve their black belts.

As part of the black belt journey, students are required to complete a written component reflecting on their training and the people who have influenced them along the way. In many of these responses, Sensei David Tennant is spoken about with great respect and admiration. Students regularly acknowledge his knowledge, patience and the encouragement he has given them throughout their journey towards black belt.

Sensei David Tennant has also become a tremendous role model for many of our students. Both junior and senior students look up to him for his calm approach, dedication to training and the way he communicates and guides others. His patience and his ability to clearly get his message across to students is outstanding, and this has played a significant role in helping many students grow in both skill and confidence.

One of his most outstanding qualities is his dedication. Even when spending time away in Batemans Bay, Sensei David Tennant has been known to travel back over Clyde Mountain so he can continue training and teaching three nights each week. This level of commitment clearly reflects his loyalty to the art and to the students he supports.

Another quality that truly defines Sensei David Tennant is his humility. He is one of the most humble instructors I know. He has never been someone who talks about how good he is, what rank he holds or the titles he has achieved. Throughout all the years I have known him, he has never sought recognition for himself.

In many organisations it is common to see instructors focus on themselves and their achievements. Sensei David Tennant has always been the opposite. His focus has always been on the students, what he can do to support them and what they are able to achieve through their training. To me, that is the mark of a true instructor.

He has never felt the need to promote himself or advertise his abilities. When someone is confident in their knowledge and ability, they do not need to do that. Their work, their dedication and the respect of their students speak for them.

Sensei David Tennant also contributes a great deal to the organisation behind the scenes. He regularly provides input and support that helps keep the club running smoothly, often in ways that students may never see. His willingness to assist wherever needed reflects the spirit of service and responsibility that we value within Zanshin Martial Arts.

Many students may not realise another connection he has to our organisation’s history. The young girl performing the kick on the Zanshin Martial Arts grading banner is actually Sensei David Tennant’s daughter. It is the banner that students stand in front of when they receive their grading results and have their photos taken with their favourite instructors. For more than twelve years, thousands of students have had their photos taken in front of that banner, making it a small but memorable part of the Zanshin Martial Arts story.

For these reasons, and with the support and respect of our senior instructors, it is my privilege as Soshi of Zanshin Martial Arts, Paul Murdoch, to recognise his many years of dedication and formally promote Sensei David Tennant to the title of Renshi.

From this day forward, he will be known within our organisation as Renshi David Tennant.

We look forward to the continued knowledge, leadership and experience that Renshi David Tennant will bring to Zanshin Martial Arts in the years ahead.

Please join us in congratulating Renshi David Tennant on this well deserved recognition.