BRITISH FENCING MAGAZINE APRIL 2021

MEPSTEAD SECURES TOKYO QUALIFICATION SLOT

OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION UPDATE P8 BF COMMUNITY AWARDS PP10-12 TOP TEN MOMENTS OF THE DECADE PP18-19

WELCOME TO THE SWORD

4 ON BOARD 20 DEVELOPMENT with Yashmin Harun Spotlight On Funding 32 OBITUARIES 6 COMMERCIAL Crown Hills Ahead of Schedule David Anthony Heaton A Financial Perspective The Stories Behind the Numbers David Kirby 8 INTERNATIONAL NEWS Green Light for Marcus Mepstead Working in Schools Beryl Goodall

9 NEWS 27 CLUB 34 LETTER TO THE EDITOR British Fencing Image of the Year Club Spotlight 2020 35 RESULTS 28 FEATURE British Fencing Community Diary of a Fencer Awards 2019-2020 30 BOOK REVIEW IOC Statement on Gender Equality in the Olympic Movement IMAGE OF THE YEAR

UK Sport Confirms 1 Year Investment of £418k into Fencing P9 16 FEATURES Photographer: Graham Cormie Fencing Women

My Top Ten

Editor: Safeguarding Hotline: Cover photo: Overseas airmail £26 - direct Karim Bashir, British Fencing Liz Behnke, Equality and Mepstead qualifies for Tokyo Olympics. from HQ. Contributions are 1 Baron’s Gate, Safeguarding Manager © Mehta Judd welcome. Photographs should 33–35 Rothschild Road, M: 07526 003030 include the names of those London W4 5HT British Fencing accepts no pictured and the photographer. T: 020 8742 3032 Typeset by: responsibility for the contents of E: [email protected] JS Typesetting Ltd advertisements and reserves the right Views expressed in The Sword T: 01656 788551 to refuse inclusion. do not necessarily reflect those Print: E: [email protected] of British Fencing. No part of the Cambrian Printers, The Sword, a quarterly magazine magazine may be reproduced Llanbadarn Fawr, Advertising: founded in 1948, is distributed to all without permission from the Aberystwyth, Karim Bashir individual and club members of British editor/photographer. Ceredigion, SY23 3TN M: 07855 252546 Fencing and its affiliates. It can also be T: 01970 613059 E: [email protected] obtained on subscription - UK £20. Next deadline: 7 May 2021

April 2021 | 3 THE SWORD ON BOARD On Board With Yashmin Harun

We recently spent some time getting to know Yashmin Harun who has been on British Fencing’s Board as an independent Director since 2018. Here is what she had to say.

Tell us about your journey to the I entered the room and saw three white Board of British Fencing. female faces staring back at me. All older and all much more experienced than me. When I began my journey into the sports I came out of that interview and knew I industry, I never had any long-term plans had not prepared myself enough for the or direction of where I wanted to go. I questions or done enough research into the began as a volunteer because I really organisation I had applied to. No surprise, I missed playing sports. But the glaring wanted to join and what I could bring. My did not get the role. under-representation across the industry application was then proposed to the Board from participation, coaching, volunteering and I was invited for an interview. This Soon after, the role at British Fencing and at leadership level was astonishing to time there were five interviewers but I had came up for a Non-Executive Director. I me. As I began attending more and more prepared myself better and I came out of had been working with Virginia and the networking events, I began using my voice the interview feeling more confident. The team for a while and together we created to raise my concerns about the lack of rest, as they say, is history! a female only level one coaching course to representation and how the sports industry engage more diverse women into fencing. should be changing mindsets to engage What is your role on the Board and I felt confident that British Fencing were with communities they classified as ‘hard what does that involve? an organisation who were pushing the to reach’. boundaries and thinking outside the box to As a non-executive director my role is grow the sport to become more inclusive, to check and challenge the other Board In 2017 the FA approached me to attend to increase ethnic diversity and female members and the Executive team. As a their ‘On the Board’ programme. This was diversity. I decided to contact Mark the Board we also set the strategy for the a six-month certified course to make Chair and discuss the role and have an Executive to work towards. The papers you ‘Board Ready’. The course covered open and frank conversation about why I for each meeting are sent in advance subjects such as the role of a Director, for review and for any questions to be Governance, and the Sports Code, as well prepared for the meeting. As a director you as other aspects to prepare you for being should check and understand the papers a board director. The course took place that are sent so that you are fully prepared in Birmingham which meant I had to take for the meeting. This can involve several time off work and commute there every papers such as the Risk register, the month to attend. We had a wonderful tutor financial statements, policy reviews and who made the course interactive and fun strategy update. and we had a great cohort of people who contributed so much to each session. We I really enjoy the discussions we have - all learned a lot from each other as we saw because we have such a diverse Board, not everything from different perspectives as just ethnicity, but also age, experience, and we all came from different backgrounds in cultures. So the discussions are always the sports industry. The exam took place interesting and varied with different at St George’s Park which is the national insights. Each board member offers a training ground for the England Football different perspective and at first, I would teams. be really reserved and quiet, just assessing and reading the room. It took me several Luckily I passed and I was eager to start meetings before I found my confidence to looking for a role straight away. However, I fully engage but I am glad to say this is not was still very unsure whether I was doing unique as many new board members feel the right thing. Although I had passed the same. the exam and I was running my own association, I was still not sure if I was As a director you can be asked to also be ‘Board ready’. involved in other committees. I am also a member of British Fencing Sports for Social I applied for another role first. It had been Change group which specifically looks a long time since I did an interview and at how fencing can engage a diversified audience. I really enjoy being a part of this small group as I feel this is where I can April 2021 | 4 offer my strongest insights. The MSA is a fantastic organisation THE SWORD that has seen rapid growth since On Board launching. Can you tell us more about the objectives and goals of the organisation?

Muslimah Sports Association (MSA) was set up in 2014 and got its charity status in 2019. The aim of the charity is to engage my thinking and contribution in the Muslim and diverse ethnic females into Boardroom. I have learned that for a Board sports and physical activity either through to be successful it has to have diversity of participation, volunteering or coaching. The thought rather than all thinking the same charity has only three trustees who are all and speaking the same. I constantly push volunteers. the agenda of opening the sport up to the wider communities. The sport has a unique Since its inception we have grown the history and is perceived in a particular way organisation to offer over fifteen weekly from outside of the fencing community. sessions across a range of activities Fencing is a brilliant, intelligent sport and including fencing, engaging over 150 the opportunity to try it at a social level females. We have also run many level one especially, should be available for all. I coaching courses in football, badminton, think that is very important to me as a tennis and fencing as well as increased the Director, that we open fencing up to as number of volunteers. MSA supports our many communities as possible for them to participants to get involved in volunteering experience this exceptional sport. and social action opportunities outside of our own communities to break down What are the biggest challenges that barriers and perceptions. We love working you face as a Board Director? with partners and in collaborations with NGBs and other organisations to increase CouchTo5k, Go Walk challenges, and a six My biggest challenge, which may sound what we offer and that has contributed to week learn to cycle course. We have also clichéd, is having imposter syndrome our huge success. been able to move some sessions online, and the feeling that I am not experienced such as fencing fitness, with the support enough or educated enough to have that COVID has had a significant impact of British Fencing and Maslaha. We have seat at the table. However, as I started on our community and participants. recognised the importance of mental well- to grow in confidence and contribute The safe haven we provided, where being and have run weekly Positive Minds more to discussions and offer my insight participants could keep active had suddenly workshops to address low morale and to and perspective, I began to feel valued stopped. We responded by keeping open keep the community engaged. We also ran and more deserving. I realised my lived communications and encouragement Mindfulness and Art Therapy sessions. experience, my achievements through via our WhatsApp group and setting the Those who found isolation particularly my professional work and MSA justified difficult, found these sessions to be a very my place at the table and I did not have to helpful way to express themselves. self-doubt all the time. Georgina, Mark, and all the other Board members have made And how does that influence your me feel very welcomed and I hope I have thinking when dealing with your role become a respected member of the Board. at British Fencing? Clearly you have a busy life but MSA has been hugely successful in when you have downtime, how do engaging the females from diverse ethnic you like to spend it? communities. These communities have high levels of inactivity rates. This experience Unfortunately, I am not a fencer. I have and insight have been valuable for me and two sons aged 21 and 16 who are relatively British Fencing when setting strategy and independent now but we do enjoy hiking influencing decisions in the boardroom. and going on walks together. I am a huge I believe my views are very different and football fan, supporting Manchester United unique from others in the room. My lived and enjoy a lot of banter on fans forums experience is very different from someone on social media. I also enjoy music and who perhaps has never worked in or visiting art galleries. During lockdown engaged with different communities. I use I rediscovered my love for running and my lived experience and insight to influence completed the CouchTo5k app. I now enjoy running regularly when I do not have back- to-back Zoom meetings!

April 2021 | 5 THE SWORD A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE Commercial David Moseley - British Fencing Finance Director

The past 12 months have been challenging of our commercial partners were in the for people and businesses across the UK process of closing their operations and and British Fencing has been no exception. furloughing their staff, as they prepared The dramatic change to the way we all live for a difficult period. As the needs of our our lives has forced many to adapt and partners changed, we decided to use the evolve to accommodate the ever changing opportunity, and existing ring-fenced Sport social and economic landscape. In some England funding, to further review and cases, this has meant closing things down develop what BF could offer commercially and waiting the situation out, whilst others to support them during and after COVID, as have found innovative new ways to deliver activity restarts. We undertook a review what they offer. of all the products we offer with the aim of ensuring we had everything needed At BF we have also had to change what decline in revenue across multiple areas of to make a strong commercial recovery we do and how we do it. Fencing has the organisation. once direct delivery and partner activity been halted throughout the UK from could resume. This ranged from reviewing clubs and competitions to schools, leisure One of the main challenges faced was and improving internal process to centres and activity providers. This around cost reduction. Over the last few redesigning marketing collateral that better enforced national torpor has resulted years, BF has undergone several rounds communicates the services that BF has in a considerable drop in membership of cost review, to ensure that maximum to offer. We also took the opportunity to income, whilst revenues from competitions value for money is being achieved across consult with the education sector to ensure and commercial activities have almost the organisation. This has required many that the BF products designed for schools completely ceased. However, despite difficult decisions for BF, as we have had to catered to their needs. this sharp fall in revenue across the question all areas of expenditure to decide organisation, BF has continued to focus on what is strictly necessary to provide the This did not mean that we lost sight of providing a service to the sport. best service to members and the sport. The commercial income generation. With direct result of these exercises is an organisation delivery no longer an option, we used the Communication has increased significantly that is very lean with minimal costs that opportunity to develop an online version of as we have worked to engage with our are not directly related to delivery. This some of our coach education products. A community and help support them through is a good place to be, as maximum value grant from UK Sport enabled the production the situation in as many ways as possible. for money is an area that BF strives for of an online Core Coach course, with an We have also lobbied Government, excellence in. However, it does not leave Introduction to Coaching Fencing (ITCF) advocating for the sport and pushing for much room for further cost cutting during following close behind. These added to flexibility wherever feasible, while working difficult times. BF has reached a point the Safeguarding and Protecting Children with our Home Nations and funding where a material level of cost reduction (SPC) course already live, resulting in partners such as Sport England and UK would require cutting of staff, which in turn three online products. This not only allows Sport to ensure that fencing is open to as reduces the service provided to fencing. us to generate revenue without direct many people as possible, when and where delivery, but also allows BF to continue activity is allowed to resume. The BF Board continues to be committed to develop grass roots coaching across to the ongoing financial aim for the the country and make the sport available Focusing on finance and governance; one organisation to operate at break-even. to more people. It also helps ensure that of the biggest challenges we have faced This safeguards the reserves of BF as many people as possible are aware of has been around budgeting. It is fair to and ensures we are operating in a way safeguarding and its importance within the say that no one, from Government down, that is sustainable over the long term, sport. had any idea of the impact this crisis whilst also ensuring that any material would have, both in severity and duration. surplus generated is re-invested back Membership income remains a significant Therefore, budgeting accurately has into the sport. Mindful of this, and having concern and will be vital in accelerating been, and continues to be, a significant undergone the cost reviews detailed the safe restart and recovery of our sport. challenge. When the crisis began, several above, BF has (prior to COVID) focused Membership income is of enormous budgets were drafted based on multiple on increasing revenues, with particular importance to BF and underpins much of assumptions, attempting to plan for a attention on developing our commercial what we do as an organisation. Members range of scenarios. However, the focus offering, making our competitions more paying their annual fees, not only pay was placed on the ‘worst case’ scenario, sustainable and expanding our membership for their insurance and The Sword with the intention to plan for the worst and network. magazine, they also contribute to many improve things where possible. This made areas across the sport such as coach for grim reading as we prepared for a sharp Revising our expectations for the 20/21 and referee development, competitions, financial year to account for the situation safeguarding & welfare and work with with COVID, it was clear that commercial international federations, as well as activity would slow considerably. Many supporting our grass roots programmes April 2021 | 6 and athlete development programme. As a combined loss of £150,000 over the THE SWORD a result, without the contribution from our financial years 20/21 and 21/22. This Commercial community, much of the work BF do could would constitute approximately 1/3 of BF not exist. This means that it is vital, not reserves, further highlighting the massive only to BF but to the sport, that people who importance of a strong recovery from the recovery of clubs is hugely important to are fencing are also members. current situation. the sport and BF will continue to engage with them as much as possible and offer Historically (pre COVID) not all clubs have These difficult times are also hitting support wherever we can. followed the BF membership requirements fencing clubs across the UK. It is clear from for individual fencers. Coming out of COVID the contact we have had with many clubs Moving forward we are all, inside and it is important that the cost of providing that this has been an extremely hard time. outside BF, waiting for further guidance services to members and supporting the There have been many examples of clubs from Government about when and how we return of fencing is shared by all, who that have said the current situation has can resume activity. As mentioned above, should not subsidise those that chose not forced them to close permanently. This this is vital to BF financially, but it is also to become members. Creating enhanced is sad in every case but particularly so vital for the sport. Many members have membership offerings to support clubs in when it is a club that has been in existence expressed a strong desire to return to meeting membership requirements will be for many years. At BF we have tried to fencing and clubs are keen to have people an area that BF and the Home Nations will provide as much support to clubs as we fencing in their clubs and competitions continue to work on. can. We have held a number of community again. Fencers across the country discussions with clubs, allowing for those are eagerly waiting for international As of 31 January 2021, membership involved to discuss their issues and share competition to resume so they can income had fallen by 40% for the current any solutions they have found. We have continue their journey to represent GBR at financial year, which constitutes a fall also developed a marketing pack for clubs the highest levels of the sport. Many of our in income of approximately £125,000. that is designed to help a club make as partners are preparing for the chance to get This is a significant fall in income for many people aware of them as possible started again, ranging from social impact any organisation, but for one the size of and support a strong recovery when and community projects to residential BF it represents a threat to the ongoing fencing resumes. We have signposted activity camps and direct delivery into existence of the organisation in its funds available to support clubs from schools. In every case, BF has prepared current form. Therefore, it is of paramount external organisations (such as Sport carefully so we are in the best position importance to BF that we make a strong England), run webinars and provided possible to support stakeholders across recovery from the current situation and support on completing funding applications the sport. All this will not be possible regain the members that we have lost and with the help of support from the FIE without the ongoing support of members during the COVID crisis. The Board have set up a BF fund to provide small grants like you, which is massively appreciated by stated that they are prepared to authorise directly to support our clubs. It is clear the everyone at BF.

What better place to be this summer than sparring with Cadet, Junior and Senior Foil GB team members to give you the best possible start to the season? St George's Girls School Edinburgh August 2nd-6th 9.30am-4pm Bookings: www.fencingfun.co.uk Limited places available April 2021 | 7 THE SWORD GREEN LIGHT FOR International News

MARCUS MEPSTEAD Johnny Davis, Olympic Team Manager is with Marcus in Doha and has supported Marcus speaks about inspiring him through the journey so far. They’re both keen to share how Marcus can share the next generation and his story to inspire others. Apparently, finding a new way to fight as Marcus ate a different breakfast today he turns his sights towards to the ones he had on fencing days and Tokyo. Johnny picks up on this detail as something that perfectly illustrates how specific tactics lead to success, “He plans - he Marcus Mepstead has a big smile on his thinks ahead. I’ve had the privilege to see face, even from behind the black face mask how he operates and it would be great to he’s wearing on a video call from his hotel show that to others.” in Doha. It’s the first morning he’s woken up knowing he has secured a qualification slot Marcus will travel back to New York for for the Tokyo Olympic Games. There is an Marcus Celebrating a period of self-isolation after Doha. official process to go through in order to be With current travel restrictions still in announced as actually qualified, but at this The journey has been memorable. Marcus place at the time of writing, the next few point, Marcus has done his bit. It’s taken had his breakthrough season in the run- months will demand some flexibility and a while. With the last competition of the up to Rio 2016. Three consecutive top 16 an adaptable approach. There is still an qualification period cancelled in Anaheim finishes in international tournaments and official process to complete before he can due to Covid-19 in 2020, Marcus has had the 2016 British National title cemented celebrate and look forward to the whole to wait until late March 2021 to secure his his place on Team GB for Rio. Following the experience of Tokyo. The Games are going European qualification slot. closure of the BF World Class Programme to be different this year but he is excited in 2017, Marcus moved to New York where about the journey. He is hitting the ground running and is full his hard work and determination resulted of enthusiasm about using his position in him winning individual silver at the Looking ahead, Marcus is hoping to share to inspire others. “It’s a great thing to be 2019 World Championships. Before Covid more about his experiences through videos able to do, to share how this journey is paused all fencing across the world he was and interviews. From his passion for the going and for other young fencers to be poised for a European qualification slot for environment and planting change within able to see it.” He also speaks about how Tokyo. He’s bullish about the future and himself and the World around him - how grassroots fencing can be reinvigorated looks on the last few years as a challenge he sleeps and what he eats, to his training with a new wave of interest as we head to that he has risen to, along with BF, “We routine and workouts. As a personal Tokyo, “Nobody has been able to fence. The lost funding, but there’s a new story now. trainer he’s also keen to inspire others to clubs have all had to wait. It’s like we’ve We’re coming through it. As athletes and as get active. With a new wave of interest in been holding our breath and now we can an organisation we’re continuing to grow sports on the horizon due to the Olympic restart, let’s go for it.” and learn. We have won two World silver Games, he sees a great opportunity for medals, one a year for two years running, a return to fencing. “Let’s get everyone from myself and Richard (Kruse). I want back into the clubs. Let’s get everyone to embody this and continue showcasing fencing again. I started in school and there there’s a new way to win, a more are young people out there waiting to be sustainable way of thinking.” inspired. Let’s show them what we can do.”

He’s serious about sustainability. As an Follow Marcus’ journey on BF’s social ambassador for Trees for the Future media and BF TV, as well as exclusive and a passionate campaigner for the members’ only content on the BF website. environment, he offsets his carbon emissions from his athlete lifestyle and wants to help others find ways to do the same. He takes a holistic approach to sustainability. “Yes, it’s environmental. So, I look at how to offset my travel with Trees for the Future. It’s also about having a sustainable approach to life as an athlete Marcus Mepstead silver world medalist and as a person. So, mental health and © Niki Bruckner wellbeing is key. I want to get a gold medal but embrace the challenges and mistakes that come with pursuing it. It’s about finding a way to grow as a person and as an April 2021 | 8 athlete.” Marcus THE SWORD BRITISH FENCING IMAGE News

Foundation for Scottish Fencing had OF THE YEAR 2020 just been presented with the “Sword of Merit” by Scottish Fencing for outstanding Evie Millar - Head Office & Events Administrator contribution in supporting youth fencing in Scotland. I thought who better to show Now in its third year, the British Fencing Category Winner: Inspiration off the “Sword of Merit” than the fencers Image of the Year competition welcomed themselves, so I grabbed all the fencers fencers and photographers of all ages and I could, got them to hold the “Sword of abilities to submit their images in the bid to Merit” and took the snap. It’s a happy be crowned #BFimage2020. reflection of a great day but looking back now it’s tinged with sadness in that the As in previous years, the images submitted February event was the last event held were entered into three categories of by the Foundation due to Covid, and our ‘Fencing Fun’, ‘Inspiration’ and ‘Teamwork’. lives and the world has changed since this After the judging panel had considered picture was taken.” all of the submissions, the winners were chosen in each category. With the image, Overall Winner: Be You. Be Different. that best summarises BF’s motto “Be You. Be Different.”taking the prize as the overall winner.

In this, very different year for fencing, many Photographer: David Barbour of images submitted provided a snapshot into how the community has had to adapt Explaining the story behind the image, to the changes. From drills in the garden to David says, “The top image was taken of outdoor training sessions! Salle Holyrood fencers Rhys Barbour and Jaimie Cook at the Bristol foil cadet event in Category Winner: Fencing Fun 2017 with future successes unknown. Roll Photographer: Graham Cormie on to the bottom image which was taken at last season’s Bristol cadet event by which The image, by Graham Cormie, was taken time they were teammates competing with in Elgin, Scotland. Graham explains, “I the GBR cadet foil squad at international was out with my wife and granddaughter events in Europe. I can’t count the number one afternoon, when I spotted the two of competitions they’ve travelled to gentlemen fencing. It’s not often you see together in the UK and abroad, but they’ve this happening in Elgin!” certainly both grown up in a fencing hall”.

Thanks to Pulseroll, our competition Category Winner: Teamwork supporter, all category winners will receive a prize. With Graham, the overall winner receiving a £60 electronic voucher for Nikon School UK online photography workshops. Photographer: Prof. Phil Carson Thank you to our 2020 competition judges: Speaking about his winning entry, Prof. Hanene Basson Phil Carson explains, “The image was Kate Beardmore taken during a break in one of our primary Lucy Keyte school classes. This particular class is full of characters and they have gelled together Thank you to our competition supporters: after a short time. I hope they’ll all be back Pulseroll Photographer: David Barbour after lockdown!” Nikon School UK David explains the background to the Are you interested in fencing photography? image, “This shot was taken of competitors If you always capture the action at at the Foundation for Scottish Fencing your club, or have experience in event Youth Development Series (YDS) event on photography, you’re welcome to volunteer 8 February 2020 in Edinburgh. The morning at British Fencing events. Please contact foil competition had just completed with [email protected] medals presented, and the afternoon Sabre and Epee was about to start. The April 2021 | 9 THE SWORD BRITISH FENCING COMMUNITY News AWARDS 2019-2020 Evie Millar - Head Office & Events Administrator

In December 2020, winners of the British Winner: Marcus Mepstead Fencing Community Awards 2019-2020 were announced.

The annual awards are a celebration of the fencing community in the UK, recognising the achievement, good practice and the contribution of those involved in the sport.

The awards took place virtually, with nominations and announcements taking place online.

Over 150 nominations were made from across the fencing community by fellow Marcus Budapest 2019 #BizziTeam fencers reaching many parts of the UK, “Since achieving silver at the World recognising the hard work, commitment Championships in July 2019. Marcus’s and dedication from volunteers, coaches, performance has gone from strength to athletes and clubs. strength as he has established himself in the world top 16. One key reason for An independent panel selected the Teagan Williams-Stewart the success Marcus has achieved is the shortlisted nominees and winners and leadership and the development of Team noted the amazing achievements and Mepstead. A collaborative team working to Wheelchair Athlete of the Year outstanding contribution to fencing and the challenge Marcus to step up another level wider community shown by the nominees. Winner: Piers Gilliver in his fencing. With his coach, Dan Kellner, Each announcement is supported by an he has developed a deeper understanding excerpt from their nomination. of the sport and of being a world class athlete. His behaviour on and off the Fencing Personality of the Year piste is of the highest standards - what is The Fencing Personality of the Year Award expected of a true performance athlete, is the only award to be decided by public without losing the human side where he vote. Once the shortlisted nominees of gives his time to chat and talk with some of Chris Howser, Gillian Aghajan and Matt the younger aspirational fencers.” Cooper were announced, voting opened for BF members to vote. Hundreds of members Young Athlete of the Year voted for their Fencing Personality of the (Junior/U20) Year, taking to social media to share their Sponsored by Pulseroll support for their chosen nominee.

Once voting closed in early December, the votes were counted, and Gillian Aghajan was announced as Fencing Personality of the Year 2019-2020. Winner: Teagan Williams-Stewart Results of the 2019-2020 Awards “Teagan is a positive role model to many Photo Credit: Yuka Fujita Performance Athlete of the Year young female fencers especially the Sponsored by Pulseroll youngsters at Newham Swords. Teagan’s “He is an outstanding fencer, World passion has seen her getting more and Champion and world ranked 1 at Category more involved with BF as she wants to A epee, and World Championship bronze make an impact on children like herself. She medallist and world ranked 3 at Category takes her fencing seriously and manages to A sabre. After the gold and 2 x bronze balance completing her training, supporting medals at the World Championships Piers her teammates and her studies.” followed up with gold in epee, and a bronze

April 2021 | 10 in sabre at Amsterdam in November 2019, In Chris’s nomination he was commended THE SWORD and again at Eger in February 2020. He for his “absolute enthusiasm, News is a true diplomat when he is abroad on professionalism, and dedication to the international duty. The junior fencers look sport of fencing, from the youngest to the Outstanding Contribution by a up to him and he always has time for them. eldest, and everyone in between.” Volunteer At international competitions he looks after them, giving them encouragement Community Coach of the Year Winner: Viv Mills and offering advice. He is always striving Winner: Paul Davis to improve the sport and is respected by athletes and officials from other nations when he makes suggestions.”

Shortlisted Athlete Nominees: Alec Brooke, Benjamin Andrews, Carolina Stutchbury, Marcus Mepstead, Piers Gilliver and Teagan Williams-Stewart.

Performance Coach of the Year Winner: Dan Kellner

Paul was commended for his vision of the sport and the role it can play in having “a positive impact on the individuals and community around them beyond just taking part.” For many years Viv represented GB internationally and after retiring from Shortlisted Coach Nominees: Anthony competition she has worked tirelessly to Klenczar, Chris Howser, Dan Kellner, Ian grow and develop British Disability Fencing Lichfield, Neil Bromley, Paul Davis, Pierre and is a “true fencing stalwart with a heart Harper and Tamas Kovacs. of gold!” Outstanding Contribution by a Referee Shortlisted Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer Nominees: Gillian Aghajan, Jacqui Nominated by Marcus Mepstead, he Winner: Jennifer Sancroft Lever and Viv Mills. commented how Dan has “helped me really understand the sport, allowed me to play Performance Club of the Year the game rather than just participate and Winner: Newham Swords given me a lot of confidence in how good I am and how good I can be. I work endlessly to get every bit of knowledge I can out of him because I know when I use it all, I have a real chance of being an Olympic Champion.”

Development Coach of the Year Winner: Chris Howser

Jennifer was nominated for her “professionalism and sportsmanship” and Development Club of the Year is held in high esteem by her refereeing Winner: Paul Davis Fencing Academy colleagues. “A largely self-taught referee,

Jennifer has displayed an outstanding level of commitment to self-improvement which has culminated in her being awarded an international refereeing licence by the FIE.”

Shortlisted Outstanding Contribution by a Referee Nominees: Jennifer Sancroft, Patrick Jennings and Phil Elliot.

April 2021 | 11 Community Club of the Year Fencing Personality of the Year THE SWORD Sponsored by Playwaze News Winner: Gillian Aghajan

Viveca Abrahams Memorial Innovation Award Supported by Paul Abrahams

Winner: Bristol Blades Winner: Street Swords (Beth Davidson/Stewart Wilson)

Street Swords, is a programme targeting young people that has enabled “fencers to continue being enthused and engaged about our sport, not only from the Yorkshire Shortlisted Club of the Year Nominees: and North East Region or anywhere in the Bristol Blades, Crawley Sword, Fencers UK, but from all over the world!” Club London, Knightsbridge Fencing Club, Newham Swords and Paul Davis Fencing Shortlisted Nominees: Shield of Endeavour Academy. An excerpt from Gillian’s nomination for the (Paul Davis Fencing Academy) and Street Swords (Beth Davidson/Stewart Wilson). University Club of the Year award: “Since 2014, Gillian has diligently served as the voluntary Chairperson of Winner: University of Kent British Veterans Fencing and is standing Lifetime Achievement Award down after 6 years of service in November Sponsored by Sport80 2020. During her tenure, she has been instrumental in the development of the British Veteran Fencing community as a friendly and welcoming environment for all…Gillian has been a phenomenal source of support to the fencing community and Winner: Peter Jacobs her dedication to the veterans’ community, Shortlisted Nominees: Gillian Aghajan, in particular, is second to none.” Johnny Davis, Peter Jacobs, Pierre Harper and Professor Sue Benney. Shortlisted Nominees: Chris Howser, Gillian Aghajan and Matt Cooper. Thank you to our independent panel members, Esther Jones from UK Coaching, John Jones from London Youth and Navjeet Sira from The Change Foundation.

Congratulations to all the winners and shortlisted nominees Shortlisted Nominees: Durham University, Lancaster University and University of Kent. Our thanks to our sponsors, Pulseroll, Playwaze and Sport80 and all those who took the time to nominate.

April 2021 | 12 THE SWORD IOC STATEMENT ON News GENDER EQUALITY IN THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT Source: IOC

Inclusion, diversity and gender equality are integral components of the work of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Over the past 25 years, the IOC has played an important role in promoting women in and through sport, and it will continue to do so by setting ambitious targets. In the challenging context we live in, now more than ever, diversity is a fundamental value that we need to respect and draw strength from.

The recent comments of Tokyo 2020 President Mori were absolutely inappropriate and in contradiction to the IOC’s commitments and the reforms of and one male athlete in their respective London 2012, who has also already its Olympic Agenda 2020. He apologised Olympic teams. qualified for the Olympic Games Tokyo and later made a number of subsequent 3. The IOC has for the first time ever 2020. comments. allowed and encouraged all 206 NOCs 7. Based on a Memorandum of to have their flag carried by one female Understanding, the IOC is closely Besides Mr Mori’s apology, the Tokyo and one male athlete at the Opening working with UN-Women on the 2020 Organising Committee (OCOG) also Ceremony. advancement of gender equality. The considers his comment to be inappropriate 4. The Chef de Mission of the IOC Refugee IOC President has been appointed by and has reaffirmed its commitment to Olympic Team Tokyo 2020 will be Ms UN-Women as a HeforShe Champion gender equality. Tegla Loroupe, an advocate for peace, in recognition of the IOC’s contribution the refugee cause, education and and commitment to gender equality. As the leader of the Olympic Movement, we women’s rights. The first woman from 8. Today, female IOC membership stands are committed to our mission to encourage Africa to win the New York marathon, at 37.5 per cent, up from 21 per cent at and support the promotion of women in she is also a three-time Olympian and a the start of Olympic Agenda 2020. sport at all levels and in all structures, as world record-holder for many years. 9. Female representation on the IOC stated in the Olympic Charter. 5. The IOC’s First Vice-President at the Executive Board stands at 33.3 per Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be Ms cent, versus 26.6 per cent pre-Olympic On the one hand, the IOC has a strong Anita DeFrantz, an African-American Agenda 2020. record on gender equality (see below), and bronze medallist at the Olympic Games 10. Women account for 47.8 per cent of the will continue to build on this. On the other Montreal 1976, who is a trailblazer for members of the IOC’s commissions, hand, we stand ready to support the OCOG women’s empowerment. compared with 20.3 per cent pre- and other organisations in their desired 6. At the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the Olympic Agenda 2020. aims within their spheres of responsibility. athletes will be represented by the IOC 11. Female employees represent 53 per Athletes’ Commission (AC), the majority cent of the IOC administration. The IOC’s decisions, achievements and of whose members are directly elected commitments in this respect include: by the athletes themselves. The IOC For all these reasons, the athletes, all AC consists of 11 female and 6 male Olympic stakeholders and the general 1. With female athlete participation of members. The Chair of the AC and public can rest assured that the IOC will almost 49 per cent, the Olympic Games member of the IOC Executive Board continue to deliver on its commitment to Tokyo 2020 will be the first gender- is Ms Kirsty Coventry, a five-time gender equality, inclusivity, solidarity and equal Olympic Games. Olympian and winner of seven Olympic non-discrimination. 2. The IOC is requesting all 206 National medals. The Vice-Chair is Ms Danka Olympic Committees (NOCs) for the first Bartekova, a three-time Olympian and time ever to have at least one female bronze medallist at the Olympic Games April 2021 | 13 THE SWORD UK SPORT CONFIRMS News 1 YEAR INVESTMENT OF £418K INTO FENCING

As part of an indicative four year award of £1.6m, UK Sport confirms a one year £418k award to support long term Olympic success in fencing.

UK Sport has awarded a one year investment of £418k to support the long term success of elite fencing in the UK. The funding is part of an indicative four year award totalling £1,672,485 to create a pathway to Olympic success in 2032.

From UK Sport, “UK Sport has today signalled its intent for the UK to become successful in a wider range of sports and build a high-performance sports community which reflects the diversity of British society.

The shift is supported by a plan for investment of £352m into an increased number of sports (43) in the build up to the postponed Tokyo Games, through to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.”

BF is one of seven Olympic and Paralympic sports to be awarded a ‘Progression Funding’ investment. Progression Funding is a new initiative from UK Sport designed to support the long-term medal potential of sports like fencing.

Georgina Usher, BF’s CEO said, “At the heart of UK Sport’s new strategy is the ambition to pivot the UK’s high-performance system so that, over time, the UK becomes successful in a wider range of sports, that can have an even greater inspirational impact on society. We are delighted that Fencing will have the opportunity to contribute to this strategy.

The Progression investment will enable us to focus on improving the system and structure to develop athletes and coaches for long term Olympic success. A significant area of this work will be supporting the development of a cohort of fencing coaches who, by 2028, will be able to train and support an expanding squad of Olympic level fencers in the UK. We have also been successful in securing one funded Podium athlete place, which is key to supporting our short term ambitions to Tokyo and beyond.”

Steve Kemp, Head of Pathways at BF said, “The process of submitting the bid involved a substantial piece of data analytics and research, much of which is reflected in the publication of the first Fencing Pathway. This investment will enable us to bring the model to life, through our coaches and athlete development activities, providing the platform for future World Class Programme funding and 2032 Olympic medal success. We will be meeting with UK Sport in mid-January to discuss the details of the award and more information will be shared following that meeting”.

BF’s Chair, Mark Lyttle said, “This is extremely exciting news for sport and particularly for the future of fencing. Our mission is to deliver a sustainable and inclusive athlete development system that enables our best athletes to access a high-quality pathway that fulfils their potential - as people and performers. Thanks to the National Lottery and the Government, this investment will allow us to accelerate our work on vital improvements to this system to support future Olympic success. At this time of economic uncertainty we appreciate the faith shown in us and we remain committed to contributing to UK Sport’s vision of a successful and diverse sports community.”

The full UK Sport press release can be found here.

April 2021 | 14 NEW

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*vs. ordinary lubrication strip THE SWORD FENCING WOMEN Feature The Beth Davidson Story

Wonderful fencing stories, inspiration and adapting to change all featured heavily when British Fencing sat down for a chat with Beth Davidson.

someone finds the courage to try fencing. squads and achieved five National Team Those initial experiences are so important Championships and Millennium Champion to keep us all going. in seniors and as a veteran, 8 x National Champion, 2 x Commonwealth Champion; Fencing fuelled my competitive nature, 3 x European Team Champion, silver and more than any other sport. I have done bronze individual medals and 1 x World thousands of parry ripostes over my time Team Champion, silver World individual but I haven’t forgotten my first ‘real’ one in medals & European Veteran Fencer of the that first competition. I knew then I wanted Year. to be better but I had a lot of catching up to do!

Living in Lincolnshire, with a club that met once a week wasn’t going to make me a World Champion. So, I sourced my first sabre coach in Stamford, 40 miles from home. Ted Burke, with his amazing moustache, taught me how to hold and wield a sabre properly. To give me more training time I set up a fencing mask on my Beth’s 1st Competition kitchen wall and spent an hour a day on fencing footwork and hitting my compliant Tell us a little about your fencing opponent. London Olympics with Frank Mills story. In 2002 I moved back North and started to My name is Beth Davidson. I was born And what about your fencing work with Prof. Laszlo Jakab in Durham. His memories? and am based in Darlington in North East high technical demand, tactical deviancy England. My many fencing ‘hats’ have and Hungarian sense of humour was a Listing personal memorable moments are included North East Regional Development perfect match for me and we have become things that are very difficult, as they are Officer, Member of England and British dear friends. Since then I have represented so many and varied and involve so many Veteran’s Fencing Boards, England Team GB and England senior and veteran important people on the journey, from Manager, U20 GB Sabre Manager, British coaches, teammates, training partners, Fencing DiSE Assessor and coach for partners and parents! They all helped, Laszlo’s Fencing Club and Street Swords joining in the victory drinks and wiping Fencing Hub. I have been licenced to away my tears when it didn’t work out! brandish a fencing sword for over 25 years and it has been a bit of an obsession Being a Team Leader at the 2012 London since I was working as a photographer Olympic Games was definitely a poignant in Lincolnshire, on a sports development moment as it was the competition I project. A dear friend and colleague told aspired to, worked hard for but it became me put the camera down and try fencing - I an impossible dream because my age have never looked back (fencer pun!). made every training day harder to recover from. Retiring from senior fencing was so At age 25 it turned out I was a late starter emotional - like a death in the family! At but my first club (Sleaford Sword Club) the London Games I was able to be at the was great at helping me as I took my Olympics, to see and feel what it is was like baby fencing steps - holding my hand and to be that fencer getting ready after four zipping me up at my first competition. I look years of micromanaging life for just 5 or so fondly back at those times, not only as 6 fights! Meeting my fencing heroes and the start to my journey but also when I am escorting them into the arena to fight for a doing my fencing development work and gold medal was a lifetime ambition met.

April 2021 | 16 European Silver in 2011 How have you attracted people to THE SWORD the sport? Feature

My experience as a Development Officer in fencing has taught me that it is not hard to attract people to the sport, it is keeping them participating! Clubs work incredibly hard to provide opportunities to start with equipment and cheap membership, taking share skills and organise a competition. away the ‘posh’ sport label. There are a lot The pandemic has put this on hold until of people who come to fencing because 2022 but I am hoping to use the philosophy they dislike sport. Memories of being of On-Guard Sister to connect women from forced onto a cold school football pitch put all over the world to take confidence in Street Swords Big Society Award them off activity later on in life but fencing what they aspire to as fencers, coaches, in didn’t have that perception. work and life!

I knew something had to change in Society Awards 2013 and the Sport and How have you managed during the approach, removing barriers to experience Recreation Alliance Innovation Award in restrictions? that first parry riposte, and it was to make 2014) using fencing as a tool to develop life The pandemic has hit us all hard as fencing simple! As children many of us used skills and increase opportunity to have a fencers and coaches. I was sitting in the sticks as swords without coaching. So yes! go in areas of deprivation. It helped them pub after coaching a session in March It can be simple! To match and develop to understand what, when and why to 2020 and a notification came though on these skills I devised a training system of teach it. Supported by the Prince’s Trust we my phone about the lockdown. I knew Movement, Attack or Defence or MAD for visited primary schools to deliver hour- I was unemployed from that moment. short. Depending on the age groups, each long fencing classes over 3 to 5 days. Time Competition plans, selection for World part of the system has a game or drill to after time these Street Swords Leaders, and European Championships were all help pupils learn the skills of movement, all young adults from very challenging cancelled. Soon after, ideas for online attack or defence with tactical connections, backgrounds, coached and refereed over classes started to take shape and my Street and a couple of rules linking them. 800 children. Swords coaching partner Stewart Watson Refereeing was drip fed at each stage, and I started to run weekly sessions for so participants felt comfortable saying Do you see yourself as a role model our fencers but people from all over the UK “Attack touché!” and sticking an arm up. for women in fencing? and the World started to click our Zoom Then the group was split into threes and As a woman in fencing and especially in link to take part as well. It became more a score sheet was given out to each. The sabre you must be resilient! Back in 1995 of a community, all desperate to keep fit competition was happening before anyone there were only mixed competitions in and fencing but confined to their homes. had a chance to get nervous. the UK and whilst I thrived on beating up Our Fencing@Home online programme the boys it was very off-putting for many grew and became the place for lonely The MAD system evolved from part of women. It is a great sport for women as it fencers to maintain contact and enable us my Street Swords Project (recognised relies more on technique and tactics than to keep coaching. We were honoured to by Prime Minister David Cameron’s Big physicality. So everyone can learn together. be awarded The British Fencing Award for I have experienced much misogyny with Innovation in December, nominated by our women being treated as second class in participants. coaching and competition - being awarded Best Woman trophies when winning overall We are definitely not as popular as Joe in a mixed competition being one example. Wicks but this has kept us sane, making new friends and anyway, Joe Wicks hasn’t As Development Officer I was able to felt the joy of that first parry riposte…..yet! work with a group of Muslim women in Newcastle and Teesside to lead fencing activities for their communities. We created something that was aimed to inspire other women and to challenge themselves, recognising their strengths and not weaknesses. And so On-Guard Sister was born! In 2020 we were successful in being awarded funding from Sport England Prince Edward presents Street Swords for the ‘This Girl Can’ programme linking Award Muslim women from different areas to

Veteran World Championships Cairo 2019 with Jacqui Esimaje-Heath

April 2021 | 17 THE SWORD MY TOP 10 Feature Fencing Moments of the Decade - 2010-2019 Photos: Augusto Bizzi Rob Cawdron - Project Officer (Pathways Development)

The start of 2021, with the country in the aftermath of the Beijing Games began inspiring show of force, one year out from another national lockdown, found the team the drive for increasingly athletic dynamic the Rio Olympic Games and confirmed that at British Fencing in a reflective mood. So sabre fencing and dragged the traditional France was well and truly back and a force when Sophie (Media and Communications sabre nations kicking and screaming with to be reckoned with. Manager) asked me what my top ten them. This trend has only continued in fencing moments of the decade were, I the years since but this for me was the 4. Park Sangyoung’s comeback in welcomed the opportunity to look back on moment that it was brought out into the the Olympic final - 2016 the last 10 years. open. Epee is, I am told, a weapon where having the lead matters. A one hit lead puts I have been a sabre fencer since 2010 and 2. Oh Sanguk bursts onto the scene pressure on the trailing fencer, two hits a coach since 2011. So naturally my top 10 with a bronze medal at the Padua is the start of a problem, three hits is a will reflect that but I have managed to find World Cup - 2015 mountain climb, four hits is Everest - four some space for foil and epee in this list as By the 2014/15 season, the entire sabre hits and your opponent is on 14, game over? well. I have picked a selection that I felt world had now accepted that South Korean This was the situation that Park Sangyoung were defining moments or periods of the sabre was much more than just a flash time, either because they were moments in the pan and they seemed here to stay. of brilliance or they represented what I Gu Bongil, Kim Junghwan and Won Woo saw as momentous shifts in the sport. I Young were the mainstay of the team that tried initially to rank them by importance had won Olympic Gold in London and they but felt that in many cases they weren’t looked at home in the finals of all major comparable. So instead I’ve decided to international events. However, in Padua order them chronologically. I hope you in 2015 it was none of these that turned enjoy reading through my top 10 moments. heads. It was a completely unknown 18 What were yours? year old who arrived at his first competition and blazed a path to the semi-finals, 1. Aron Szilagyi wins individual gold leaving the giant of the sport Aldo Montano in London - 2012 in his wake. Who was this guy? He was a The roundhouse assault that Aron Szilagyi physical giant and seemed to have a more unleashed on Diego Occhiuzzi in the first complete game than fencers many years half of the Olympic individual final was his senior. I think everyone who watched stunning, heralding the moment that a new him then realised just how special an brand of sabre fencing announced itself. athlete we were seeing that day, and how The arrival of South Korea as a force in we might be likely to see quite a bit of him in years to come… Park Sanyoung at the 2020 Budapest GP

3. The French Men’s Epee Squad found himself in at the Olympic final in win 7 gold medals with 6 different Rio. The 21-year-old was staring down the athletes - 2014/15 barrel against the hugely experienced Geza Jumping weapons now, my third moment Imre of Hungary, who led 14-10 with 2:30 of the decade covers a whole season, left on the clock in the final period. All that rather than a specific competition. I the Hungarian war-horse needed to do was remember the soul-searching that took to draw from his deep well of experience place in French fencing after what was and find one more light. 45 seconds later for them, a bitterly disappointing Olympic that lead was gone. Park had scored 4 Games in London, and no team would have unanswered points, drawing level with over been more disappointed than Men’s Epee a minute of fencing time to go. Geza was - the jewel in the French fencing crown. stunned. 4 seconds later it was all over. A Did 2012 mark a moment of decline as a decisive lunge from Park against a timid fencing superpower? The Men’s Epee team looking stop-hit from Geza. The turnaround came out swinging. Of a possible 10 World happened so quickly that it didn’t register Cup, Grand Prix and major Championships, the first time round, and it was only on Aron Szilagyi France won gold at seven of them, with a repeat watching that I could appreciate just total of six different athletes. It was an awe what Park had achieved. April 2021 | 18 5. Vincent Anstett’s comeback and was poised to storm the international THE SWORD against Max Hartung in the final leg scene. Barely a year later, the storm broke Feature of France and Germany’s epic match on the Senior circuit too. Pusztai ripped at the World Championships - 2017 through the field at the European Senior Championships in Tbilisi to make the 18-4. When the dust settled, that was the No mean feat in a sport that includes Mariel semi-finals before falling to the eventual final tally in the th9 leg of the relay between Zagunis and Sofya Velikaya. 2019 felt like winner, Kakhiani. Since then, the storm has Vincent Anstett and Max Hartung during the crowning moment of Kharlan’s career. continued to rage and with Tokyo mere the France vs Germany last 16 match at the Facing down her long-time nemesis Sofya months away, the now 19-year-old Pusztai Leipzig World Championships. Anstett came Velikaya in the final, it felt like watching is 5th in the world. on for the final leg, down 27-40 against the one of the true greats of the game reaching home team Germany. If Park’s comeback in their peak. Kharlan will arrive at the next 7. Richard Kruse wins silver at the the Rio 2016 final was implausible, I don’t Olympics (and possibly the one after that!) Senior World Championships - 2018 as the red-hot favourite to win and as No top 10 of the last decade can fail the model for what great women’s sabre to include Richard Kruse’s history fencing looks like. making silver medal at the 2018 World Championships in Wuxi. Watching Richard 10. The Men’s Team Sabre final Kruse and James-Andrew Davis fight between Hungary and South Korea their way through to a quarter-final clash, at the World Championships - 2019 guaranteeing a first World Championship I’m going to finish my list with possibly the medal in 58 years was an immense greatest team match of the decade. The moment. Having grown up as a fencer, strength in-depth that both of these teams watching Richard Kruse’s career the entire possess is nothing short of sensational. time, this truly felt like the crowning The South Korean team arrived at the final moment of one of the greats of the era. having won the previous two team World Championships. They were looking to make Anstett - Hartung are still friends 8. Marcus Mepstead wins silver at history and seemed certain to. However, the Senior World Championships - have the words for what this was. Hartung 2019 scored his first after Anstett had scored 5, but still trailed by 8. Anstett drew level, Like buses. Marcus Mepstead stormed finally, at 43-43, but when Hartung reached to the final of the World Championships, 44 immediately after, it looked like it could including a demolition job on World Number all be over. Anstett drew level the very next 1 Alessio Foconi in the last 64 to start this point, then took the win with a single light career-defining day. On the way, Mepstead riposte the one after. The piste camera produced some incredible moments of Foil streaming the match doesn’t do those final fencing and a highlight reel of touches, moments justice. To really get a feel for the perhaps most memorably, that point in line moment, find the footage the French team touch in the semi-final against Son. You know the one I mean. took piste-side. Korean Men’s Sabre Team

6. Liza Pusztai wins bronze at the 9. Olga Kharlan’s dominant in front of a passionate home crowd and Senior European Championships, age gold-medal at the Senior World in a positively febrile atmosphere, the two 18 - 2017 Championships - 2019 teams produced one of the great contests. I did most of my competition coaching on Since her incredible performance at the The lead changed hands almost every leg, the European Cadet Circuit and around 2016 2008 Beijing Olympics, bringing home a with the quality and intensity of the contest I started hearing of this supremely talented shock gold-medal for Ukraine in Women’s maintained at an incredible level. If you Hungarian fencer who was coming through Team Sabre, Kharlan has been one of the have not seen this match before, I can only most celebrated champions of the weapon. advise you seek it out. If you have seen it before, treat yourself by taking another look. This will be the standard against which all future great matches are judged.

And with that, my look back at the decade has finished. As we go to print, it is April 2021, and I don’t know what the world will look like, or if a return to competitive fencing is in sight. However, being able to take a look back at some of the great moments of the previous decade has got me looking forward to getting back to competition and back on the piste. Pusztai at the 2017 European Kharlan receives recognition from Championships Katsiadakis and Usmanov April 2021 | 19 THE SWORD SPOTLIGHT ON FUNDING Development Hannah Gavin - Development Officer-Clubs & Regions

After one of the most turbulent years for community groups through the ongoing most of us, all efforts are now being put pandemic to return to play. into reshaping sport and physical activity to fit a brave new world. Other Funds on Offer

Sport England also offer support on bigger More than ever, as we adapt and move projects. into a new time for sport and activity, it is essential that we work to have a more Tackling Inequalities Fund comprehensive understanding of the communities around us and how they The Tackling Inequalities Fund has been set will look to engage in physical activity. up to help to reduce the negative impact Following the recent release of Sport of coronavirus and the widening of the England’s new ten-year strategy, Uniting inequalities in sport and physical activity. the Movement, more emphasis has been placed on the need for local collaboration Hannah Gavin Return to Play: Active Together and the sharing of not just best practice but Active Together is a crowdfunding initiative innovative practice too. that has existed at Sport England since between £300 and £10,000, from a total pot May 2020. The fund can match successful Yet, before we can jump back into action, of £10m. Its primary focus is to help sport, Crowdfunded campaigns up to £10,000 attention needs to be paid to rebuilding our activity groups, clubs and organisations from a total pot of £1.5m. clubs and plans drawn up to aid us back respond to the immediate challenges of into activity. Both existing funding pots returning to play in a COVID secure way. How Can BF Help? and new ones being made available across the sector are changing. Importantly, they Applications for this fund are open all year. Funding can seem a difficult undertaking. have refreshed their motivation, what they There are no specific closing dates, but However, BF is here to help clubs looking will fund, and also their application, how applications must include a start date for to support their members and expand the they will fund it. The remainder of this the project that is at least 8 weeks after reach they have. There are a few things article will look to touch on Sport England’s its submission. However, any successful that we can do to aid anyone in the process current offers, paying close attention to its applicant whose project becomes affected of writing an application: flagship funding pot, Return to Play: Small by COVID restrictions will be granted Grants. flexibility. • We can help you review your objectives and proofread any bids to make Sport England offer a variety of funding BF has a specific guide designed to recommendations opportunities, all of which have been help when writing applications for this • We can write letters of support that will reviewed following the COVID-19 pandemic particular fund. If you would like to request aid in the backing of your bid and the effect it has had on clubs and a copy please get in touch by e-mailing • We can also provide data and evidence physical activity partners. [email protected]. based qualitative insight to help position your application and demonstrate the Smaller Scale Funding - What’s Return to Play: Community Assets Fund difference it can make Available? This fund looks to aid clubs and sporting More information on all Sport England Return to Play: Small Grants organisations to open up places and spaces funds can be found on our website - just This offer very much welcomes for communities to return to activity safely. search ‘Funding’. If you have any specific applications that have a focus on returning At the moment this pot has shifted its focus questions or, would like access to BF’s to previously established activity, which from approving general improvements Small Grants Support Guide, please e-mail makes it perfect for any BF affiliated club to facilities, like clubhouses, and instead me. looking to get restarted. It is especially wants to address challenges that have helpful to those clubs who will have had to arisen due to the make significant changes to their services, pandemic. like having to deliver in smaller group sizes or needing the correct safety equipment. The fund offers Some fencing clubs have already seen awards of success in applying for this grant. between £10,001 and £50,000 from This long running fund, supported by the a pot of £5m for National Lottery, concentrates on awards new applications focused solely on helping April 2021 | 20 support clubs and THE SWORD CROWN HILLS AHEAD Development OF SCHEDULE Their Journey from Beginners to Bronze Kevin Anderson (The Story Edge) modified by Marjorie Kuhne - BF Business Administrator

Sporting and academic excellence is at the Fencing is in the PE curriculum for junior to have a fantastic network of primary heart of Leicester’s Crown Hills Community students. There’s plastic fencing swordplay schools which have come up for sports College. They’re proud to be a specialist at lunchtime and afternoon clubs, and there festivals where they’ve been able to sports college and are committed to giving are dedicated sessions for their gifted and experience fencing - which they’ve loved. their 1,200 pupils the best possible start talented students. At all times there’s a The resource pack’s themes of pirates in life. That means constantly exploring real determination to create fun, accessible and sword fighting is fantastic. It really new opportunities to offer unique experiences for pupils, staff and the encapsulates the fun element of fencing experiences to the school community. In broader school community. James Giling and is quite easy to take part in. It’s a really 2019, they embarked on an exciting 5-year and his team work closely with their Sports good resource.” partnership with British Fencing - a new Academy pupils to build their fencing skills experience for both organisations and an and confidence. This is only possible thanks Until fencing was first introduced into opportunity to create a lasting legacy for a to the Core Coach training they received Crown Hills, for the vast majority of broad community of young people. This is from British Fencing. students fencing was completely uncharted the story of their remarkable journey from territory. There was a new language to absolute beginners to national competitors. learn. New unfamiliar equipment to get used to. And, of course, there was an When Crown Hills Sports Academy unavoidable preconception. Crown Hills Manager, James Giling, was presented with student Hamza said, “The initial reaction the opportunity to partner with British from my family when I told them I was Fencing, he knew that it was a perfect fit. going to be fencing was how posh it is.” “Offering fencing within the curriculum This is partly because it’s more commonly allows everyone to have the same associated with independent schools opportunity and a fair chance of trying a but also because of the high cost of new sport.” the equipment needed to participate competitively. Another student, Khadija The college became an Official Training added, “Normally fencing is something Partner under British Fencing’s License that you do at a private school rather than Partner Programme (LPP). The LPP was Engaging younger members of their a public school like ours. So, you wouldn’t developed in 2016 to give organisations the community is achieved through British expect it. It’s different.” opportunity to deliver a range of fencing Fencing’s Primary School Resource activities, coaching delivery and courses. Pack (PSRP). It’s a complete personal But those perceptions were largely James and his fellow staff members development programme that is Ofsted forgotten when Hamza, Khadija and other received full training and support to deliver aligned and goes beyond the PE syllabus Crown Hills Sports Academy students a whole school approach to fencing and to offer pupils of all ages and abilities a were introduced to the sport during a give everyone in the school the opportunity fun new experience. The resource pack taster session. During the session, the to experience the sport. includes 36 lesson plans aimed at pupils pupils had their first opportunity to see a through Years 1 to 6. Top tips, fun facts, demonstration from experienced fencers. videos and the Explore Fencing App Seeing the cut and thrust of fencing at combine to give teachers a flexible way to introduce their pupils to learn core fencing and life skills in a fun way.

As well as using their coaching skills to deliver training to their own pupils, Crown Hills is accredited to deliver the PSRP and the Core Coach course to other schools in Leicestershire, offering the wider community a broad range of fencing experiences, and making the college a key player in the development of school fencing. Talking about the work with local schools James said, “We’re fortunate April 2021 | 21 level fencing setup. Hamza’s said, “I was THE SWORD pretty nervous when I went there because Development all these people that were in Stratford had already been doing fencing for a lot longer a British Fencing coach helping us kit the than we have, but I decided to take it as a children out because there’s quite a lot of learning experience and not be too stressed kit to put on.” about it.” The eight sabreurs were noticeably quieter And it was also a first for James. “It was a as they got suited up and prepared for great experience because it was the first their first competitive bouts. Hamza recalls time that I used proper electronic fencing such close quarters grabbed their attention how much more nervous he was in London equipment. It was a completely new and created a new level of interest in this compared with the visit to Stratford. “This experience for the pupils and was very ‘new’ sport. Debutant Natalie said, “We time I’d actually be competing against different to the school environment. All of a got kitted up. Then we saw this guy do a people, some of them with much more sudden having a cable attached to you, and demonstration and he did this really huge experience. But I could see a lot of them that feeling was very different for students. lunge. I’d never seen anyone do that before. were nervous as well so that helped settle And, the experience of fencing against I was so shocked. It was breath-taking my nerves a bit because if they can do it, someone other than their peers was taken and I was just like, ‘whoa, that was just so then so can I.” back into training at Crown Hills. The bar cool.’” was raised and the performances started They encouraged each other and the to increase because there was a lot of From the very earliest stages of the moment the first of their peers scored a mimicking what they saw at the Stratford- programme the ambition was clear - Crown point there was a sense of collective relief based fencing club.” Hills wanted to give their students the best and joy. The nervousness was replaced by possible experience. And, for James and excitement. Remarkably, at their very first The leap to their first competitive his colleagues, that meant competing at a competitive outing the girls team returned accomplishment came only 6 months after national level. They knew that someday, to Leicester proudly clutching their bronze first picking up a sabre, when in March taking a team to the British Schools medal. In just six months they’d gone from 2020 two teams representing Crown Hills Teams Championships would represent absolute beginners to fierce and successful nervously made their way to London to an important milestone in their fencing fencing competitors. Natalie expresses complete in the British School Teams journey. To help make that happen and the team’s general feeling. “Everything Championship. An under-13s boys team and accelerate the fencing education of their has been leading up to that and when you an under-13s girls team would put their Sports Academy Students, Crown Hills finally realised that, wow, you just won a rapidly growing skills to the test against invested in a professional coach. With bronze medal, it’s really nice, because all much more experienced competitors from British Fencing’s help, Chris Buxton from of that work. It paid off. I think that if we across the country. the Shakespeare Swords Fencing Club were a little bit more confident, we could was brought into the school for a few have done even better, but I’m happy with In order to compete, Crown Hills needed to hours every Monday morning. With Chris’s what we got”. Khadija even had the chance secure competitive level equipment. Buying support the opportunity to compete would to share that unforgettable moment with second hand equipment or borrowing it come sooner than they’d think. her mother, who went to London for the from a club were considered before help championship. “She was proud of me. came in from British Fencing’s Official Up until this point, the Crown Hills fencers’ She was cheering everybody on. She was Equipment Supplier Leon Paul. When experience was limited to what happened amazed that the school is doing something they heard of everything Crown Hills had within the confines of the school. There like this because it’s expensive and very accomplished so far, Leon Paul provided was already a mix of excitement and different because you don’t see people significantly discounted equipment, with nervousness about the prospect of fencing every day, especially at a public the school providing a small financial competing at the British Schools Teams school.” gesture, making it affordable to get new Championships in London. There was equipment for the students. also an appreciation that it would be a big Crown Hills are still at the early stages culture shock for the pupils. James wanted of their fencing journey, but already the Doug Keast, Crown Hills Assistant Principal, to create an opportunity to bridge the impact has been felt throughout the sums up the expectations around the gap by arranging a visit to an established school and the broader community. The school’s first national competition. “Today fencing club. young people that have engaged in the is just an amazing experience for us, programme have new fencing skills and, because we never envisaged we’d be That club was Shakespeare Swords based without knowing it, new life skills as well. competing at this level six months ago. out of King Edwards Grammar School We thought the long-term plan would be in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire. quite ambitious to compete in a decent The club has an enviable reputation way and in 18 months’ time. So here we for supporting everyone from absolute are, one year ahead of schedule. It’s a big beginners, right through to experienced experience for our students, getting them competitive fencers. This was the first to look above the parapet type of thinking opportunity that the pupils had to see and really express themselves in this arena experienced fencers using a competitive against schools from across the whole of the country. We’ve had massive backup April 2021 | 22 from British Fencing. It’s been great having Not to mention some incredible life THE SWORD experiences the Sports Academy pupils Development have had and that will stay with them forever. “Fencing is a great way to spend my time”, said Natalie, “because I’m making memories with my friends as well, which partnership will ever be the same. The is really an important thing for me. Looking experience with Crown Hills proves that if back as well, I realise I didn’t just waste my there’s a common goal and a shared vision, time at home, I actually did something with together you can accomplish great things. my time and enjoyed myself throughout British Fencing shares this story in the the last couple of years”. Khadija added hope that Crown Hills success will inspire that, “The whole fencing experience has others to follow in their footsteps and start “The biggest difference that springs to been amazing and just a bit crazy. Because their own fencing journey. mind is confidence”, said James. “The you’re holding a sabre, wearing the kit and Sports Academy pupils are more confident you’re fighting people. It’s a combat kind communicating with their peers and of sport, and you wouldn’t expect to play adults. They’re able to articulate their these kinds of games and it’s just very feelings and what they’re thinking. They’ve different.” also had leadership experience by taking what they’ve learned and coaching Despite the unavoidable disruption caused younger children in the school. Seeing the by the pandemic, everyone involved in the confidence grow in the students has been British Fencing and Crown Hills partnership really good. And, personally, it’s given is proud of what they’ve achieved. me the kind of freedom and the ability to Working together, often in very difficult provide new opportunities for our students. circumstances, plans have been adjusted It’s allowed time to create new experiences and the programmes have continued to by bringing in the coaches and creating be delivered. That ability to adapt quickly events like Stratford.” is essential because no two schools or

April 2021 | 23 THE SWORD THE STORIES BEHIND Development THE NUMBERS Why fencing? Fencing offers something very different Our Proud Partnership With from other mainstream sports, having the opportunity through the Youth London Youth Organisations and their youth workers to reach new communities, new environments Ian Lichfield - Projects & Programmes Manager - and new access points. Some of these young people may never have had the Education & Community chance to experience fencing. The holistic benefits of participating in sport and the John Jones - London Youth - Sports value, the quality of the sessions run by Development Manager said: the Youth Workers are some of the main factors to these projects being a success. Over the last three years, 1158 young Fun and enjoyment being at the heart of Londoners have engaged in some form of them. fencing activity through our partnership As a Sport England funded project working with London Youth: Young people at Ham Youth Centre in partnership with London Youth, since enjoyed regular fencing sessions. They 2015 BF has been able to deliver fencing • 785 participants have taken part in were surprised by what a workout it gave projects to young people across London. weekly fencing activity in their youth them! Young people learnt the different club, with 69% of these being retained terminology for techniques and the London Youth is a charity that has been and retention is based on participants importance of strategy to defeat their around for 130 years and has a network attending at least 60% of the sessions opponents. Staff like the etiquette side of of 650 community organisations. Their • 373 have taken part in 11 different the sport with participants encouraged to network has enabled BF to reach out to events, ranging from creative fencing acknowledge when they had lost a point to young people in communities who would festivals and co-creation events, to their opponent and to salute each other at not normally be able to access our sport - experience days at the Leon Paul Centre, the start of each match. often in the form of physical sessions using giving the young people the opportunity plastic swords and masks and delivered by to try their hand at metal fencing and Ben Skelton - Achieving for Children said: youth workers, trained by British Fencing. meet a number of our GB athletes Young people have qualified through these Through Sport England’s Core Market projects with BF, and now teach new young funding, BF is able to deliver a portfolio pupils themselves. From a Youth Worker: of projects and programmes, with the focus for us being on taking fencing to ‘I’d say I’m definitely more confident. It’s communities and organisations that may not only the course developing my fencing, not have experienced it before, as well but I also like developing how you run a as using our niche sport to get inactive session and the safety around it. So yes, young people leading more active lives. As overall, it’s been fantastic.’ with any funder, BF is required to report against various metrics to demonstrate the Youth Organisations that operate within effectiveness of its projects, but for British schools have found that being able to Fencing and London Youth, it is more than • Engagement and retention rates have deliver fencing as part of their offer, just numbers. improved year-on-year, with a retention alongside football or cricket, has increased rate in 2019/20 of 73%, compared to 70% their appeal. ‘Impactful sport programmes that place in 2018/19 young people and the needs of their • BAME participants have accounted for communities as the central focus are over 60% of those engaged consistently needed now more than ever. It’s why I’m for the last three years with a retention delighted we are continuing our five-year rate of 71% partnership with British Fencing into 2021. • The target age group of 14 to 15 years Together, we’ve listened to youth workers. achieved a retention rate of 86%. This We’ve heard directly from young people is an improvement from 50% in the first and it’s why we’ll continue to drive our year approach through trusted community youth • 41% of females engaged have been aged organisations, using fencing to support 14-17 - notoriously a difficult age group young Londoners physical and mental to engage with and importantly, 77% of wellbeing’. those were retained in regular activity

April 2021 | 24 John Jones said: THE SWORD Development “I’ve been in community sports for over 12 years. And it’s the amount of times that we’ve been just delivering against a contract or a set target to get our young people engaged without any focus on the actual quality of the work, because that’s what the funding requires. This is a really refreshing example of targets needing to be met, and how we go about delivering that - we can be really creative in a way that works best for young people and youth workers and communities. And I think that’s really refreshing.”

BF and the Board are proud of these great sessions, or combined with faith learning stories about the impacts on people’s lives and even breaking down barriers to discuss that have emerged from these projects. knife crime. Fencing is being used to teach discipline and respect, integrated into music What next?

Tyrone from Cray Wanderers Football Club: The pandemic has halted any activity for now. However, some groups have been ‘It’s been that first experience for them, able to deliver limited online activity and and most of the students or kids had maintain contact with the young members. no idea about fencing at all, like no clue BF is keen to broaden the reach of the sport whatsoever, and they are just keen and across other London Youth organisations eager for it really. and similar national organisations. There are insights about the successes of these It’s changed the whole dynamics of our projects that traditional fencing clubs may business, because we’re allowed to now wish to understand to help maintain and offer something that not many people are develop their beginners courses, to improve doing out there. You know, that we can do their retention rates. that; we can say to these new schools that we’re approaching. When we do fencing, For more information please contact me. and they’re like, wow, we want fencing? How can we access this? So for us, this Hear more about this fantastic story in this really changes us, and it elevated our podcast and read more about it on the BBC business in that sense as well.’ News website here.

Get noticed!! Advertise in The Sword. Email the editor: [email protected]

April 2021 | 25 THE SWORD WORKING IN SCHOOLS Development Pitch Your Services With OFSTED in Mind James Craig - Head of Commercial

Ofsted is responsible for inspecting a - The data bit is never going to go away. range of educational institutions and in That is an accountability measure. September 2019 there was a shift in focus I think the focus around curriculum in the education inspection framework mapping, how the different subjects sit (EIF). Ofsted moved to an inspection model in their curriculum together, the learning that introduces the “three Is” of Intent, objectives and the sequence in a learning Implementation, and Impact. journey that are key. - The new inspection framework wants us It is a great first step to be able to have a to say, “How does this all work together? response to each one of these elements. How does it build together?” BF’s new Primary School Resource Pack (PSRP) went through this process and Application of learning seems to be we hope that going through it yourself or James Craig important but what does this mean? checking your offer against this will help • Is the content sequenced to ensure when we get back to delivering in schools: - The applied word is fundamental. I have that components of knowledge lead to spent too much time in schools, I guess, conceptual understanding? 1. Intent: What is the intended outcome watching lessons. One of the first things • Are there opportunities for pupils to of the programme? What do you want you do as a new teacher is watch how practise what they know? Can students students to learn? BF’s intent was to other people teach and work with other deepen their understanding in a have a product that highlighted that children or coach the children, because discipline and was it built into the lesson you can introduce the concept and build then you can see how different people plans? resilience from session one with fencing react. This is a great process for new • Is there layering of knowledge and and the second intent was to explore a coaches too. concepts so that pupils can make student’s self-efficacy. - You see that a child will get taught progress in the curriculum? 2. Implementation: How is the offer something and then a different person packaged up? How is it sequenced? teaches the same thing and they have BF took time out to talk with an expert What model have you used to show forgotten they ever learnt it. They have on PE, school sport and physical activity that the sessions are part of the bigger not joined it together. The joining of the focussed on Impact. Kevin Holland, Head of picture and that the progression of each journey, of the learning is important. So, Child Journey at Premier Education Group, session is planned? BF has 36 lesson at the end of the lesson make sure you gave some wonderful insight that we plans that have been sequenced using use a plenary as it is really important - wanted to share with you. skill acquisition theory, teaching games that is ensuring that you review aims and for understanding principles and we consolidate the students’ learning. The ‘real talk’ in schools when discussing have created a cross curricular model impact? of how we would like coaches to deliver If you would like to hear more from Kevin the sessions. Holland watch the full webinar by clicking - An important ‘P’ word is making it 3. Impact: previously there was a focus on here. Purposeful. In the past, people have data and results and although this is still talked about innovation and new ideas present, Ofsted is shifting focus on the and new curriculum, but it needs to qualitative measures of impact too. BF’s be really, really purposeful for each skill acquisition theory allows a coach, individual school and each individual at the end of each session, to evidence child. to the lead at the school where each - Schools need to be able to see their child and the whole class is at. All the external support - those wider aspects lesson outcomes also clearly align to the that are much harder to measure from BF Achievement Awards of MiniSwords a number and a data perspective. It is and GO/FENCE. the feeling you get when you go into a school. It is the language you hear The customers for the PSRP are teachers, children use and the language your staff from support staff to Headteachers and use that needs to be imparted back to answering the three I’s BF felt it necessary the school. to go a bit deeper and we would encourage others to do so too, with these further The new Ofsted framework introduced questions: in 2019 seems to be more around the qualitative pieces of work and evidence so April 2021 | 26 what can you do? Kevin Holland THE SWORD CLUB SPOTLIGHT Club Lancaster University Fencing Club Amy Freeth - Publicity Officer

Lancaster University Fencing Club is a highly successful student led club who promote inclusivity and highly encourage new people to try fencing. The club has around 50 members and 4 competitive teams in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport). Training and organisation are almost entirely student run with an executive committee who help to oversee training, competitions and socials. A coach also helps with one-on-one training sessions for the more advanced members.

LUFC at Roses 2019

novice fencers to pick up the sport quickly. As a club we like to help the community We also encourage all members to practise by completing fundraising for charities. In together after the first few weeks of the 2020 alone we completed two different beginner’s course have passed. This helps fundraising events, raising over £1,000 for the novice members to learn from the more our chosen charities. These events not only advanced fencers and makes them feel helped raise money but also increased the more included in the club. For team fencers, fitness and morale of our members during we have training weekends multiple lockdown. BUCS Northwest Individuals 2020 times a year where we bring in high level coaches to run an intensive training course An important part of the club are our As a club, we’ve had some great results focussing on tactics and fitness. weekly socials. These help the teams and in the last few years, including being the club to become closer and also encourage highest scoring BUCS club in the university, The Lancaster Open is one of the highlights new members to join. This includes events multiple times and we are the only club of our year. It is an open competition in such as our three-legged bar crawl at the from Lancaster to have ever had a team all 3 weapons and is organised and run start of each new academic year and other in the Premier League. On top of this, our by our members. There are an increasing more relaxed socials such as game nights. members have achieved impressive results number of entries every year with over at individual competitions with members 100 competitors in 2020. This competition We, at LUFC, pride ourselves on being medalling at many competitions including is run in our university sports centre a welcoming and inclusive student-led at BUCS Northwest individuals, The which helps to increase the publicity and society whilst also working as hard as we Cambridge Open and Lancaster Open within awareness of fencing to other members of can to achieve impressive results both in the last few years. the university. team and individual competitions.

One of the main goals of our club is to promote inclusivity, especially focussing on increasing the number of women in sport. Over the last few years, we have worked to increase the number of women joining the club which has been a great success and has led to the club introducing a new Women’s 2nd team. The Women’s 1st team has also had many accomplishments including winning the Northern 1A league in 2018 - the best result in Lancaster University that year - and winning Team of the Year in 2017.

Another focus of the club is to encourage new people to start fencing. We run a Club Christmas Meal 2019 student-led beginner’s course which helps April 2021 | 27 THE SWORD DIARY OF A COMPETITIVE Feature VET IN LOCKDOWN Lawrence Burr

Weeks 1 and 2 had commuted to the bottom of the fencing bag along with that a hastily discarded Now where to start? Firstly, I needed to nutrition bar from the second round of gather together all of my gear and take the 2017 St Dunstan’s Vets Competition, an inventory of what I was missing after a suspicious looking furry pack of ageing the last year’s competitions. Funny how glucose tablets and a partly drunk bottle you seem to lose T shirts, trainers and of suspicious looking orange liquid with an the odd body wire so easily. I had been unusual smell; so decided to consign that meaning to look for some new bits of kit to the recycling bin. Then up into the attic in any event and now here was the perfect for those blades that were always going to excuse to go on a legitimate spending be given to Peter Huggins’ armourers for a spree. Crank up the old laptop and start rewire at the last Open. Upon investigation, scouring all those colourful online fencing I decided that an extra dollop of superglue sites - Leon Paul, Blades, PBT, Allstar etc. was all it needed for another year of Wow! Such a glittering array of items and competitions. Sadly, I then discovered that all of them being Covid free - I had visions my last tube of glue had leaked onto the of assembly lines of PPE clothed weapon point tester box and that was bug...ed as smiths furiously spraying everything well. So back to the laptop.... thank heavens they touched with disinfectant. And what for Amazon Prime, I sighed. Suddenly new ranges there were - who knew that realised that time was passing. It was now what I really, really needed was a “Mag- time to grasp the nettle and start the new Tec Zero Pistol Grip” with its associated regime - tomorrow. hexagonal nuts and spanners, all carefully colour coded (to match my eyes no doubt) Weeks 3 and 4 Well - how many keep fit videos did you to achieve my podium dreams?! Click, Google in Lockdowns 1, 2 and 3? click, click ... Suddenly came to my senses Finally cleared the garage, parked the after the checkout basket clocked in at car outside, found a couple of discarded In March 2020 the fencing world suddenly over £400.00; so, reached for my third mirrors for the wall and drilled holes to realised that with our clubs, gyms and espresso of the day and started again. hang past competition flyers, encouraging leisure centres closing, it was time for us all But now I was on a roll and turned my maxims and some faded posters from the to take a deep breath and find our own way thoughts to setting up my own training 2012 Olympics. Then a few home comforts to keep fencing-fit. After all, it was really circuit in the house somewhere. So, back to ease the hours I would be spending in important to maintain that competitive to our old friends from Leon Paul who were this new circuit gymnasium. A radio and momentum we considered that we had offering us enthusiasts their smart range CD player (come on - we are talking Cat all reached in readiness for 2020’s raft of of lunging pads, cotton face masks and 4 Vets here... none of this namby pamby Opens and Nationals and the glittering prize X-Change liners - now that was more like phone based Spotify playlists for me,) of yet another week at the Vet Worlds in it. Unfortunately, the world and his wife pinched the fan heater from the bedroom, Croatia. As a Cat 4 Vet, I had been feeling seemed to be ordering the same items, so placed a comfortable chair at the end of well oiled (some of my friends might delivery date was to be delayed somewhat. the makeshift piste with a refreshment misinterpret the meaning of this word) and Therefore the intervening few days could trolley alongside - great internal debate honed for the season ahead and I was not be spent planning the circuit with my old as to whether wine was a healthier option going to let a few Covid bugs stand in my stubby pencil and notebook. Decided that rather than plastic tasting water in a bottle way... fitness and a bit of personal coaching doing sweaty “jumping jacks” in our front - taped out some lunging distance lines was all that I needed and, by jove, I could do living room might bring too much mirth and at the other end of the garage and added this on my own. I would just need a bit of merriment from my nearest and dearest, so the piece de resistance - a swinging tennis help from the internet and my trusty (1955 decided that it had to be the garage. Oh joy! ball which I had pinched from my wife’s Edition) Army School of Physical Training tennis bag. That hero of British fencing handbook. Onwards into a strict training But before that could happen, it was time - Bill Hoskyns - swore by the efficacy of regime! to tackle my kit that had been stewing practising with a swinging tennis ball and gently in the fencing bag since the last see where that led him - Olympic medals! If BVF Nationals in Guildford. My wife looked he can do it, so can I! suitably aghast as I voluntarily gave up my well sweated plastron to the hottest Now we are talking. My new Mecca of washing cycle possible - kills the bugs I athleticism looks fantastic, but I am still said! Then, digging further, I uncovered that awaiting the lunging pad, so cannot do April 2021 | 28 jumble of screws, tips, wires and plugs that anything until that arrives. Hark - is that my next Amazon delivery arriving? I’ll be sessions with my old friend George Morris THE SWORD back later after changing into my tracksuit. (note to George - those shorts are definitely Feature Tomorrow it all starts. too retro; lycra is the order of the day…). On session one, I found myself in the exalted Weeks 5 and 6 company of 78 other honed athletes - and OFF/ON/OFF/Maybe/Perhaps/Definitely/ Graham Paul - but was slightly worried Okay, so it was a little bit later in the week Depends, has sent me into a frenzied burst that the first opening discussion was than expected. Everything is now in place. of energy and a new determination to get all about injuries; not totally reassuring! With a spring in my step and a song in my the training started. After another caffeine Needed another glass of wine to steady my heart, I strode out to the garage dressed boost, it was into the garage, move the nerves after that thought. But, I knew that in my sparkling clean clothing and three car out again and start the lunges, aim for I had found the answer to my new fitness working weapons (having discarded that the swinging ball, jog on the spot, practice regime. Armed with these skills, I knew trusty - rusty - old steam sabre at the back those reverse lunges, attempt the jumping that the time had arrived and I was ready to of the cupboard). Proudly walked around jacks, decide that bench press-ups on begin my fencing circuit training in earnest the garage a couple of times and practiced the floor was a step too far and then did - tomorrow. the odd lunge or two, flexed the blades on some fast footwork, all the while eyeing the lunging pad and then considered that myself in the mirror to check my stance. Weeks 7 and 8 what I really needed was a fitness plan; as Perfect! Decided after 30 minutes that it is it was now time for coffee and a bit of that The garage was too cold - who turned on all a bit too much and I needed to get fitter Lockdown Millionaires Shortbread that Sue the snow machine? Spent the time looking for fencing before practising my moves had perfected last night, it was back to my back at old episodes of Ski Sunday and any further.... perhaps some time in front old friend Google to find some words of bemoaning the fact that my favourite runs of the laptop watching Jo Wicks or Kelly advice and encouragement from an online in Kitzbuhel were all closed to tourists. Holmes should be just the ticket. After all, coach and/or personal trainer. Firing up the (Note to self; what happened to my last how difficult can it be to remind my body old computer again, I typed in those fateful bottle of Austrian apple brandy?) Then that it has been fencing for 60 years and words “find exercises for fencing”. Now, made up notes on the videos I had watched. just needs a bit of lubrication? Back to the that was impressive - what a selection and I just needed to have another coffee before laptop and click on “find fitness videos”. so many great videos from exotic sounding seeing whether the temperature in the clubs and organisations such as “Fencers garage had got above freezing. Must avoid Ouch! Keeping fit is an evil government’s Edge”, Redstar Fencing, Reddit.com, a injuries at all costs (Maria Goriup’s webinar way of ensuring that physios and keep fit fascinating Feedspot Reader site, Red presentation is very sobering as a Cat 4 instructors are never furloughed. All that Bull, FIE Training camps, Florida Fencing Vet!) so training will begin - tomorrow. stretching and contortion cannot be good Academy, US Masters Academy and the for a man of my constitution. However, I Men’s Journal(!). The list was almost Weeks 9 and 10 felt that I really needed to persevere as my endless. The next few days passed in a blur honed and well oiled body is looking a bit Overcome with a sudden rush of guilt. as I binged on watching healthy youngsters the worse for wear at the moment. I blame News that the Tokyo Olympics will be ON/ from all over the world stretching, lunging, it on the lack of competition in the garage. jumping, skipping, bleep testing, jogging Now, how can I persuade my wife to stand ad infinitum, taking notes all the while, of still whilst I practice my fleches? Uhmm, course! But - hang on a moment - British maybe not, if we are to continue living Fencing Latest News had told me about together in this lockdown with a degree of their new exercise feed called “BFTV”! harmony. Eureka! Problem solved. So, back to the drawing board. Tomorrow So, having navigated the BF website I is another day. I will definitely put my struck gold. A host of experienced fencers carefully researched new training regime suddenly at my beck and call (some of into practice then. Hold on though; Alexa them actually fenced épée!) and I could now has just told me that floods are forecast lean back and let the likes of Ben Peggs, in the area. Garage could be too wet. What Lucy Johnson, Rob Bruniges and Susan a shame! Now, where did I put that online Sica teach me how to get back on form, order form for Majestic Wines? Can’t let all from the comfort of my sofa. The icing the Vets down now can I, otherwise it could on the cake was that I was then able to really be my last gasp…. sign up to the weekly Athlete Development Programme Strength and Conditioning Lawrence Burr OBE

We would like to showcase all aspects of our membership. Please submit your “Diary of a Fencer” to the editor, [email protected]

April 2021 | 29 THE SWORD BOOK REVIEW Review “From Cool Runnings to World Superpower - The Rise of American Fencing” Author: Igor Chirashnya Lawrence Burr

So, do you believe in coincidences? At little knowledge of how much has been Christmas, in the depths of my stocking achieved in such a short space of time from “you know who” (I am just a big kid when compared to the European countries at heart) there was a small book entitled where swordplay has been at the very “Scottish Fencing - Five 18th Century heart of its history since the days of the Texts on the use of the Small-sword, gladiators. Now, US teams of both genders Broadsword, Spadroon, Cavalry Sword and chase Olympic Gold across all three Highland Battlefield Tactics” compiled by disciplines and head the leader boards in Maestro Jared Kirby. One of these texts World Championships at every age level described the formation of the first School from Cadet to Veterans. So, the purpose of of Fencing at Boston in 1769 by one Donald this book is Igor’s attempt to answer the McAlpine, a Highland soldier who had come question as to how this all came about and to Nova Scotia with the 78th Regiment of perhaps to add a bit of historical flavour Highlanders as a Sergeant. After serving that underlies where the US now stands. with distinction on the Plains of Abraham and at the capture of Montreal, he was Now, a bit of background history. The discharged and moved to Boston where first mention of a fencing school in the The author of this book, Igor Chirashnaya, he announced in the local newspapers the US seems to have in a manuscript in the is an émigré from a former Soviet Republic opening of a new fencing school to the British Museum dated 1675 with a later and was one of the many Eastern Bloc “Lovers of the noble Science of Defence”. reference to a Dutchman, John Rievers coaches and fencers that sought a new life teaching “fencing and dancing” in New York in America after the political upheaval in So, not knowing much about how fencing in 1754. Then, as the colonial wars swept Hungary in 1956 and the later collapse of started across The Pond, I decided to re- across the States, they left in their wake the USSR after the fall of the Berlin Wall read Richard Cohen’s magnificent treatise a raft of European fencing masters who in 1989. As we all know, sport had been “By The Sword” which describes amongst found willing pupils amongst the American at the heart of the USSR’s political drive its chapters, the history of duelling in the meritocracy for instruction in swordplay. to demonstrate its superiority over the States. As I was doing so, through my Whilst duelling in European countries was West in the days of the Cold War. Eastern letter box dropped a package from Amazon starting to become less fashionable over Bloc fencers had been “employed” in the containing a US publication on American the years, it was finding a new reimagining country’s uniformed services and thus fencing. A true coincidence. in the New World where duels were could qualify as amateurs in the Olympics, commonplace and almost always ended even though they were actually full time Written by Igor Chirashnaya who co- in a fatality! Even US Presidents such as athletes. Igor paints a very clear picture of founded the Academy of Fencing Masters Jackson, Truman, Grant and Washington how this difference in attitudes between in the San Francisco Bay area, this saw the need to learn fencing; one even the Soviet Bloc and the West created the paperback documents the history of how had a salle d’armes and an Italian coach USSR’s ruthless medal winning approach the Americas came to embrace fencing to installed in the White House! (Thank you, which dominated the Olympics for years. the extent that it now has now over 20,000 Richard Cohen, for doing the research!). Much of this he experienced at first hand. fencers and more than 750 clubs. It details the challenges that the US has had to face Fast forward to the early 1900s and fencing The result of this exodus from Europe in trying to compete upon the international was now being embraced as a sport rather was a flood of fencing coaches into stage and then charts the changes that than a method of settling affairs of honour. the US imbued with the same “grit have produced its meteoric rise to the As the competitive nature of the sport and determination” that had been the Olympic successes we have witnessed unfolded in Europe, America was at an trademark of their countrymen from behind since the year 2000. instant disadvantage due to its sheer size the Iron Curtain. They were now keen to and the inability of fencers from one side show their appreciation to the country In many ways, this is a book written of the continent to compete with the other. that had become their new home. This with passion and aimed at the new At the same time, there was no legacy of enthusiasm was linked, not only with their generation of American fencers who have accomplished coaches who could train deeply embedded drive to show what it them. So, Europe continued to dominate took to win at fencing, but also how the the early Olympic Games until the 1950s, instilling of a deep sense of family and when world politics changed the face of community could create strong bonds our sport forever. between the coach, his/her pupils, and April 2021 | 30 the club which they represented. One I am pleased to see that he does draw THE SWORD only has to look at the number of Eastern attention to the same problems that we Review European coaches registered in Igor’s club are facing today in British Fencing - that in San Francisco and their list of successful of creating a legacy of home grown national and international fencers to see coaches and maintaining the interest and how this has worked so well. I counted at commitment of our senior fencers. Similar least eight coaches from as far afield as challenges for both our countries lie coaches. Igor makes no apologies for Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and China! ahead, particularly as regards equality and pointing out that there is still a long way diversity. In the US, the Black Lives Matter to go in building a depth of knowledge that As an aside, in 1960, an American candidate, agenda currently has especial resonance will take America to Gold in the Olympics, Miguel de Capriles, was elected as the and this book takes up the inspirational but he is confident that the strong President of the FIE, much to the chagrin story of Peter Westbrook, born in 1952 foundations and the legacy now in place of our own Charles de Beaumont. Although to a mixed race couple in New Jersey, with the youth and the club programmes there was great concern as to how the coached by a Hungarian fencing master will pay dividends. Do not be put off by FIE could be run with such a geographical and immigrant, Csaba Elthes, who gained a the simplicity of this publication, this book separation and with a country with limited place in the 1976 Olympic Sabre Team and contains a real “rags to riches” story that international experience, the fact was that was the first American, let alone a black can inspire us all. Just watch out for the it was a great coup for the US and the real American, to win an Olympic medal (Los next American fencer on the piste - they start of its hopes to engage on the world Angeles 1984). Westbrook continued to be may have read this book! stage at last. a dominating presence on the American fencing scene for more than 20 years, America was now on a roll and it began to qualifying for six Olympics. Hailed by the show. By the year 2000, after this heady New York Times as “the most influential influx of talent from Europe, the results fencer in New York today”, he has become became impressive. A new system of a symbol to many black fencers the USFA competitions was put in place with world over of the changing face, not only a hierarchical structure encompassing of fencing, but of all sport. As our CEO, Local, Divisional, Regional and National Georgina Usher says in her 2021 message tournaments, organised to ensure a to British Fencers, fencing … “means being comprehensive progression for all fencers inclusive, helping people overcome the from the age of seven and beyond. Personal perceptions that they might have of our development was also tied in with all the sport, so that everyone in fencing feels major Universities, many of whom now they can truly ‘belong’, irrespective of offered fencing scholarships and attracted ability, age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity and Lawrence Burr OBE renowned European coaches to run their religion”. Igor would applaud the sentiment. clubs. The ease of international air travel “From Cool Runnings to World from all over the US boosted participation This is an interesting book, written with Superpower - The Rise of American in major World Championships and paved passion, by one of the many émigrés who Fencing” is published by The the way for American successes. Igor have added so much to the advancement Academy of Fencing Masters (https:// charts their medal progression with great of the American Dream. They are still academyoffencingmasters.com) and is accuracy and shows how he views the a dominating force behind the drive to available through Amazon in Kindle and future of fencing in America as nothing but achieve a new generation of competitive paperback formats priced at £5.13 and £7.92 bright and full of potential. fencers and produce new inspirational respectively.

Get noticed!! Advertise in The Sword. Email the editor: [email protected]

April 2021 | 31 THE SWORD DAVID ANTHONY HEATON Obituary (1973-2021) Jo Gilliver - for and on behalf of British Disability Fencing

David was born in Blackpool on 14th April It was in ‘The Brunswick’ that David met his 1973 to father Ken and mother Pat and was wife Cindy, who said ,”I worked behind the a younger brother to sister Julie. bar in his local club The Brunswick and we started going out in 2005 and were married David had been diagnosed with bladder in 2009. He loved cooking and baking, cancer, a battle that he was courageously music, films and holidays but the thing he fighting and winning. David’s wife Cindy loved most was being a family man, doing wanted people to know that he was school runs, babysitting, sleepovers and ‘kicking cancer’s arse!” but in December, chilling with sweeties and a good family David contracted sepsis and sadly, died of film.” renal failure on 9th January 2021 at the age of 47. David and Cindy also shared a love of their little dog Bella who was also an important In 1984 David was involved in a road traffic member of the Heaton household. David accident, which left him a wheelchair is survived by his mother Pat, his wife user at just 11 years old. He was fiercely Dave Heaton courtesy of ParalympicsGB Cindy, their three children and seven independent and had his own car and flat grandchildren, ranging in age from 10 aged 16. He loved driving! From here, David weeks up to 20 years and David’s sister developed as an athlete and it was whilst ambassador for his country,” adding, “David Julie, her partner Ged and their two sons playing league wheelchair basketball with retired after London 2012 but continued to Callum, 17 and Cameron, 13. Brian Dickinson MBE, that he discovered put time and effort back into the sport that the sport of wheelchair fencing which he he loved. He was a caring, humorous, and David’s funeral was held on Wednesday decided to give a go. He proved a natural. much-loved man and his passing, much 27th January 2021 with the service at too young, leaves a hole a mile wide in our Carleton Crematorium and with the current Making his Paralympic debut in Barcelona hearts.” pandemic restrictions, a roadside send-off 1992, aged just 18 years old, David won was welcomed outside the Brunswick Club. a bronze medal in the men’s team sabre IWAS Wheelchair Fencing chairperson The family chose that any donations go event. David went on to compete at the Pal Szekeres had also said in their to Trinity Hospice or Macmillan in lieu of Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 announcement, “He was a friendly figure flowers. and London 2012 Paralympic Games. on the circuit for many years who helped inspire the next generation of athletes We at the BDF are saddened by the news In a statement made to IWAS, former at home and abroad. It is no coincidence that five-time Paralympian, wheelchair British team manager and 10-time that Britain has some of the world’s top fencer, family man and generally all-round Paralympic medallist Caz Walton paid wheelchair fencers. They follow directly in good guy David Heaton has passed away. tribute to Heaton. “David was a popular his footsteps and many more will do so in From the many messages of condolence figure internationally and a great the years to come.” for David, whether sent to us, in the media or social media, as you can see, David will After retiring as a competitive fencer, David be very much missed by many. became chairman of the British Disabled Fencing Association (BDFA now BDF) and Our thoughts and condolences are with gave generously of his time before he David’s family. retired in 2017.

David loved snooker and played on the Monday night Club League big table and was Captain on a Thursday night small table, where the team won quite a few trophies. He was also a supporter of Blackpool Football Club. David and Cindy Heaton A well-respected sportsperson, David was first April 2021 | 32 and foremost a family man. THE SWORD DAVID KIRBY 1950-2021 Obituary Stratford Observer

TRIBUTES have been paid to fencing legend Bond-Williams was among them and David Kirby who has died from Covid. in 1998 she won bronze at a pilot World Championships. She went on to represent The 70-year-old former army Major Great Britain at the 2004 Athens Olympics was Head of Coach Development at and then again at London 2012. Shakespeare’s Swords - the renowned fencing club he established at Stratford’s She said, “He nurtured a real team spirit. He King Edward VI School (KES) more than 30 encouraged training camps with everyone years ago. involved and worked hard at getting competing clubs to work together. Credited for introducing fencing to thousands of youngsters over four decades “He was a positive influence for everyone of coaching, he was regarded as one of the on the team, regardless of which club leading lights in modern fencing. they came from, or whether he was their individual coach or not.” David lived in the Littletons near Evesham and leaves a widow Marguerite, three David held a number of other top fencing children - Philippa, Susy and Peter (himself in 1984 that he was charged with heading positions over the years, including at Eton, an accomplished national and international up the fencing club, as well as the College Birmingham University, Filton College and fencer) - and five grandchildren. band, which he conducted whilst playing Sydney. Latterly, he focused on training the flute! the next generation of coaches including David coached dozens to national and running courses in Stratford which international glory - including local double It was this experience that led him to offer attracted people from across the globe and Olympian Louise Bond-Williams. He was a his services to KES during his final army across sports. trailblazer for women in sport and modern posting to Long Marston in 1987. The KES day coaching methods - not bad for boys did not know what had hit them with In 2013 he taught Shakespearean someone who did not really “do sport”! the arrival of this charismatic army Major. actor Jonathan Slinger to fence for his memorable portrayal of Hamlet at the RST David was born in Westminster in 1950 to Old Edwardian Adrian Bedford said, “The in Stratford. actor Max Kirby and wife Aurea. He joined first thing he did was introduce the basic the Royal Green Jackets from school as a army warm-up. By the end of a term I’m not Chris Buxton, Head Coach at Shakespeare’s Private and managed to get into Sandhurst sure we were any good at fencing, but we Swords, said, “What David contributed to at the second attempt in 1970. were very fit! the world of UK fencing over the years is simply unprecedented. This, along with the He became an officer in the Royal Engineers “He taught us to climb ropes without using direct positive impact he had on thousands and postings across the UK and Europe our legs or feet whilst regaling us with of young lives, will be his legacy.” followed, including tours in Germany and stories of how many mortar bombs you Northern Ireland. could put into the air at the same time. This David’s funeral took place on Wednesday, last tale increased in number with each February 17, with a memorial service to It was whilst commanding a company at telling.” follow at a later date. the Army Apprentices College in Chepstow His efforts started to pay off and the club has been at the forefront of sabre fencing in this country ever since - often making up the majority (and sometimes all) of the British sabre teams at all levels - fostering a clutch of national and international champions.

Ironically, for a club based at what was then an all-boys school, David was at the forefront of the development of women’s sport.

He trained female athletes in the art of sabre before it was even a proper recognised sport for women so, when it finally materialised, he had a host of world quality fencers ready to go. April 2021 | 33 THE SWORD BERYL GOODALL Obituary 1932-2020 Eddie Goodall

When in the early 1950’s Professor Crosnier During its 40 years, nineteen members started his tours, giving courses and fenced for England, six for Great Britain and appointing coaches Beryl quickly qualified one at the Commonwealth Games whilst as a Foil Leader [Coach]. gaining many British Youth Titles.

An original member of the Manchester During the 1990’s Beryl was a regular Coaching Panel she was assigned the task member of the England Youth Coaches of organising Beginners Courses in North at the annual Home International Team Manchester. Championships. Not afraid to tackle the most bombastic of coaches who did not observe the rules, the Committee would Having a natural talent, she was soon one gleefully send her out to deal with any of the leading fencers and had a notable offender. victory at the Liverpool Open, beating Dorothy Knowles, who had been champion In 1992, Beryl’s grass roots work was for many years. Later she was selected to recognised by the award of the Torch fence for England in a Home International. Trophy and in 2000 with a British Fencing Bronze Medal. At this stage of her development it was advised to move down to London. Sadly, over eleven years she endured Unfortunately, not having the means or four major illnesses and passed away at suitable employment, it was not possible Christmas last year. to fulfil that dream but she continued to go down for Ladies Team events. A pupil gave her a fitting tribute, “Beryl was the ideal coach. Being there at the end of Instead, Beryl concentrated her efforts to the piste with a cheer for the successful, a In 1948 Beryl joined the College of Adult coaching in the Manchester area and in hug for the down-hearted and an ever- Education Fencing Club, Manchester, as a 1980 formed a club for local youngsters in ready needle and thread for running pupil of Professor Zarloff. her home village of Romiley. repairs.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor,

In the January 21 ‘The Sword’, Laurence Burr OBE wrote a review of the book ‘Marked Cards’ by Emmanual Olypitis. In it he claims that Kings School Canterbury (KSC) won the Public Schools Championships in 1966.

I do not believe this to be correct as Brentwood School under Jeffrey Featherstone, the Master i/c won every year from 1962 until 1986 except 1967, 1970, 1971 and 1975 none of which were won by KSC.

Additionally in 1966, Brentwood had 6 fencers across the four categories top 6 whereas KCS had only 3. Editor’s Reply: Many thanks, John. Guess Old school pride at stake here! where I went to school

John Sones Ipswich FC 1980-1991? That’s right! Brentwood! #blush

April 2021 | 34 THE SWORD International Round Up RESULTS

The up-to-date 2020–2021 season latest results are now listed online and can be accessed here

Please forward all your suggestions for additional online fencing results to: [email protected]

April 2021 | 35