James Harris is a 3rd Dan in Teshinkai Karate Inspired by the great 70's/80's martial artists, James started his journey with Nippon Karate (a combination of Karate and Thai Boxing) at the age of 14. By 17, James had achieved Shodan (black Belt) and at the age of 18 was running the dojo, both junior and senior classes at the local YMCA. Competing in both Kata and Point Scoring kumite tournaments. James' early highlight was winning a Victorian Open Black Belt kumite tournament. Having to further his working career, he ceased martial arts training at the age of 22. In 2007 at the age of 35, James began full contact training with Kyokushinkaikan and in 2010 switched across to Te Shin Kai Karate where he trains and now teaches. James enjoys the spiritual and health aspects of karate as he says "it never stops challenging me to be the best I can be. Being somewhat a perfectionist, I continually look for smarter more efficient ways to implement effective powerful technique with the least effort required." James has a strong passion to train those around him to be the best that they can be also, so that they can enjoy and be at peace with their life.

Grand Master (GM) Ridvan is a 9th Degree Black belt in Hapkido. GM Ridvan was recently inducted into the World Taekwondo Hall of Fame. Throughout his tenure at his own Martial Arts School, the Australian Martial Arts Academy, GM Ridvan has seen multiple state, national and international champions develop and succeed in both martial arts and life. GM Ridvan has expanded his business to be one of Australia most successful martial arts schools and is not only well known in martial arts circles but is endeared and loved by his many thousands of students both past and present. In the 1980’s GM Ridvan won Numerous state, National and International competitions receiving a gold medal at the World Martial Arts Games. Although that initial drive has taken GM Ridvan to the farthest limits of combative excellence, his mastery extends beyond fighting and into the realm of life. The Australian Martial Arts & Fitness Academy is home to the X-Treme Team established by GM Ridvan. The X-Treme Team have a long History originating from the foundation of the Australian Martial Arts Academy in 1982. Since then the team has evolved and performed in thousands of locations both in Australia and Around the world. They are an X-Treme Martial Arts Performance Team combining elements from all styles of Traditional Martial Arts with Exciting Choreography, Acrobatics and Weapons. Their credentials include reaching the finals of “ Australias Got Talent” (Channel 7), Performed on shows such as the “Morning show with Kerri-Anne” (Channel 9), “Saturday Disney” (Channel 7), “Sunrise” (Channel 7) Shopping Centres, Festivals all around Australia. Master GM Ridvan was selected to coach the Australian National Team at the World Taekwondo Championships and has been a VIP Guest at every Olympic Games since Sydney 2000. His commitment to making martial arts accessible and fun for everyone has led to over 150 classes being taught at his schools every week, and the Australian Martial Arts Academy being recognised as the number 1 school (EFC) in the world for educational excellence and teaching.

Di Watson holds the title of Sempai under the International Sabaki Karate-do TESHINKAI Sempai Di has a background as an advance student in Shotokan karate but returned to martial arts by enrolling with Teshinkai Karate to expand her knowledge and become more rounded in her physical and mental skills. Di is a qualified personal trainer, frequent Yoga practitioner and proud resident of Bendigo. In her professional life Sempai Di has a ten-year history of performance enhancement and coaching with teams in the financial services industry. Sempai Di describes her Karate coaching style as warm, encouraging, fun but firm. She values leading by example and seeks to conduct herself in this way in both the coach and student. As a valued member of the Teshinkai Karate Coaching team, Sempai Di uses her skills learned on and off the mat to enhance the lives of students and guide them in the way that inspires enthusiasm, loyalty and faith in ones own ability.

Nick Noordink is a 3rd Dan in Karate. Sensei Nick is a well known and highly respected martial arts teacher from Brisbane Australia. Sensei Nick began his martial arts journey in early 2000 and after grading for Shodan (1st Dan) he decided to make karate an even bigger part of his life by teaching and becoming involved in the largest tournament circuit in Australia, the National All Styles – NAS. Sensei Nick’s approach to training clearly reflects tradition, hard work, and integrity. Sensei Nick is a highly proficient martial artist who believes that when teaching is grounded and systemised you have a much greater chance of establishing success with students and as a result have a program rich in providing positive community values. In Sensei Nick’s own words – “We strive to create an environment that supports parents and helps children to grow and develop their character. We encourage families to train together, saving precious time. A safe and enjoyable atmosphere, where everyone is welcome.” It is well documented how Karate trains the body and the mind and provides tools for life! At Sensei Nick’s Dojo “Bonsai Karate” he has established programs that reach out to all members of the community, from classes for children all the way to older adults, and raw beginners to high performance, Bonsai Karate has it all. All of Nick’s gradings have been conducted under the highest scrutiny via the Kenshinkan International Karate Organisation directed by Australian Budo Karate legend Shihan Jim Casey. Bonsai Karate is situated in Albany Creek, which is a suburb of the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland.

Father Dave Smith is best known for his work with at-risk youth, especially in his use of boxing for those suffering from substance abuse problems and anger management issues. He is also a 6th degree black belt and a professional boxer. His progression into martial arts and boxing happened while he was attempting to raise funds for the community in Dulwich Hill, where he is the parish priest. Father Dave has been twice awarded Marrickville Citizen of the Year award and was nominated for Australian of the Year in 2004 and 2009. In 2012, he broke the world record for the most continuous rounds of boxing. Born in Newtown, Sydney, in 1962, he completed an arts degree with honours in philosophy in 1984 before beginning studying theology at Moore College in 1985. He completed two degrees in theology in 1988 and was ordained a priest in the Anglican Church of Australia in 1989. After ordination, Smith spent two years in the parish of Miranda (in Sydney’s south) before being appointed to Dulwich Hill (in Sydney’s inner-west) in December 1990. He has continued as parish priest at Holy Trinity since then. When Smith became the parish priest in Dulwich Hill it was known as an area that was rife with drugs. In 1991, he began to focus on working with young people with drug problems in the area and opened the church hall as an area where local youth could do fitness and martial arts training. In 1993, he founded the Order of the Fighting Fathers as a way of encouraging other priests and religious people to use the fighting arts to help young people overcome their addictions and lead fuller lives. Smith's work in the community led him to twice be awarded the Marrickville Citizen of the Year award, in 1997 and 2009. In 2005 and 2009 he was also nominated for Australian of the Year, particularly for his work with young people battling substance abuse. In 2001, a short film was made about Smith, which is titled The Good Fight. In 2011, Smith began training to break the world record for the longest period of continuous boxing. On 1 April 2012, he boxed continuously for eight hours - against 66 opponents over 120 three-minute rounds. He succeeded in breaking the world record and received extensive media coverage, including from Fox Sports. The previous world record before this attempt was 26 rounds. On 19 February 2016, Smith returned to professional boxing to raise money for youth programs and became Australia's oldest ever professional boxer.

Ralph Randal is a 5th Dan in Karate Shihan Ralph Randall has been training Karate for over 20 years and teaching for at least 15 of those years. Shihan Ralph began his martial arts journey back in 1975 when he took up Taekwondo for two years under the auspice of the Jack Rozinski Organisation, but restarted his martial arts training again in 2000 when he joined the Bushidokan Organisation in Heathmont under the tutelage of Shihan Vincent Bussutil. Shihan Ralph had a successful competitive career during the years of 2002 and 2007 where he was an enthusiastic and formidable competitor The competition circuit set Ralph up to understand the intricacies of competing at a high level and consequentially evolved into an important coach and mentor to others at the Heathmont Centre. Its fair to say that Shihan Ralph Randel is a well know and well loved coach who has helped many thousands of martial artists along their own path. As a member of the community Ralph Randell is a strong believer in the benefits that martial arts offers all people, regardless of race, religion, or social economic back ground. Shihan ralph randell can be contacted via his profile message service for private lessons on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia!