History of the Renshuden Judo Club...
It was in 1974 when Brian Cloynes 4th Dan immigrated to New Zealand for a better life for his daughter Samantha and his wife Sue.
It was in Dunedin 1974 that Brian decided to open up the "Renshuden" and to continue his teachings for New Zealand.
The name Ren-Shu derived from the Japanese meaning "Practice", "Den" loosely taking the meaning of Club, Group or Gathering, hence we have Practice Club (Renshuden).
Brian had passed on a very successful club in London namely the Toyakwai consisting of over one hundred members. It was supported with grades up to 3rd Dan. Brian founded this club and spent 22 years with it.
It was not too long when new members heard of the 4th Dan from England taking
Judo classes in Dunedin - South Island of New Zealand.
They quickly joined the Renshuden for modern and Olympic
Judo tuition.
The Renshuden over the years have produced many
Champions and Black Belt
Judoka. Brian himself has progressed to the highest grade (to date) in New Zealand as
8th
Dan and was the former National Coach and Technical Director for N.Z. Judo.
(Click
here to see Brian's Impressive CV!)
The Renshuden are a very proud club boasting of over 100 members, some of them are champions in their own rights.
The Renshuden has to its credit many top Black Belt instructors. The club premises have an international size judo matt to work on, supported with various training apparatus for the benefit of new members.