My fencing career started aged 12, relatively late by today’s standards. It was not until secondary school did I encounter the world of swordplay, when a classmate dragged me along to the gym on a Tuesday lunch time. There I found something which was to shape my whole life. It was the dedication of my P.E. teacher at Penlee secondary school in my home city of Plymouth, who encouraged me to move on to Plymouth Fencing Club. That is where I met my coach, Andy Hill. For your guidance and inspiration in those early years, Trevor Wilson, thank you. My first ever competition was held in north Devon and I was entered in the county U 14 foil. My only previous encounter in a competitive situation was a school match in which I was the only fencer in my team to score any hits! That county foil event gave me my first fencing medal and I felt the same jubilation and sense of achievement when I won the South West senior Epee title aged 33 as I did all those years ago as a nervous 13 yr old with his brand new foil and a load of borrowed kit.
My first venture into the world of coaching came aged 18. I had abandoned the foil as a competitive weapon and moved over to Epee. Fencing all over the country and abroad is not cheap, so a little extra income was needed. Andy was now steering me toward what is now my life’s passion and career, by finding me a few little coaching jobs that I could fit in around my job. Marks and Spencer were a great firm to work for especially as my boss gave me loads of time off to train and compete! It wasn’t where I wanted to be for the rest of my life, so when the South West area coach, Norman Golding, told me of an opportunity in the Gloucester area, I took the decision to turn professional. It was an opportunity tinged with sadness. One of fencing’s leading coaches, John Fairhall had moved to the Cheltenham area and started coaching in a few schools before passing away suddenly. My only regret was never meeting one of the most knowledgeable Epee coaches and coach educators this country has ever had. With only a few schools and a couple of clubs to support me, on the 2nd September 1990 I became a full-time professional fencing coach, aged 24.
It was always my intention to start my own fencing club. Throughout the latter part of ’90 and the early part of ’91, I ran adult beginner courses at the Riverside sports and Leisure club in Gloucester. These courses were to provide the core of the membership for the newly formed Gloucester Fencing Club. In late ’91 I was employed by the Forest Sword Club and for four years, my pupils were to achieve many county, section and national titles. The highest achievement for the club was Rachael Hall’s selection to the GB U 17 ladies foil team. I accompanied Rachael to Denver, for the World Championships in 1993. Another of my pupils, Daniel Robinson, has represented Great Britain at two world championships as well as many other international events. Since becoming a professional coach, I have been fortunate enough to work with some very talented fencers. Some of those are competing at Modern Pentathlon. Jamie Cooke, was the British youth A champion in 2009, having already won a silver medal at the European championships in 2008. I have also managed to maintain a competitive career, winning many county titles at both foil and epee as well as the aforementioned SW epee title and the Plymouth open epee title.
In the past few years, I have devoted more time to events closer to home. My involvement with the Gloucestershire Amateur Fencing Union has taken many forms. As county captain and competition secretary, I have organised teams and county championship events for all weapons and age groups. This has helped to build a new community of local, competitive fencers at all levels. It is pleasing to see Gloucestershire as one of the South west’s most active counties, providing a range of events for all abilities and ages.
Having worked in the county for 20 years, Gloucestershire now has a network of schools and clubs that provide sword fencing for thousands of children and adults alike.
