Yesterday the women’s team fought their first BUSA league match against Staffordshire University managing to win with a convincing 135-96.
Warwick’s ladies on top of that were victorious in all three weapon categories (sabre, foil and epee). Well done to everyone involved (the date of the match was very early into term 1 and on short notice). Laura remains our secret weapon in sabre and Rachel had some fantastic fights in the same weapon, having picked up a sabre for the first time in her life 10 minutes beforehand. Catherine, too, scored absolutely brilliant hits in foil and epee!
A very good head start for the Warwick women’s fencing team 
First off, welcome (or welcome back) to all current and budding fencers! The club has many plans, both fencing related and otherwise, for this year: so keep tuning in.
Check out our What's On page for details on training and taster sessions, and come visit our stall at the Sports Fair on Tuesday Week 1 (2nd October).
If you're interested in the ins-and-outs of poking people with metal sticks, mosey on to the About page with its potted guide to fencing, or the See Also section of our snazzy website with its helpful links. Alternatively, drop us an email or come and see us in person (fear not, we're not as scary as our photos suggest).
We hope to see many of you at training,
- The Exec
Four members of the University of Warwick Fencing Club took part in the West Midlands Senior Individual Fencing Championships over the weekend of the 25th & 26th March, producing a mixed range of results, including a gold medal. In the foil competition on the Saturday, Amitesh, Yvo, & Harold were among 22 entrants for the men's title, facing some of the region's foremost talent. Both Amitesh & Harold managed to secure a number of victories in the 2 rounds of pools, while Yvo, making his return to competitions after an absence of over 5 years, fared less well having not entirely shaken off a bout of illness. With Yvo taking the difficult yet understandable decision to withdraw after the pools stage, the club's hope rested on Amitesh and Harold, who both faced opponents in the last 32 round of direct elimination after failing to be placed in the top 10. Similarly, both faced fencers who they had already forget, and beaten, in the pools stage, but whereas Harold swept to an easy 15-2 victory, Amitesh was to fare less well, eventually loosing 15-13 in a close forget match having relinquished a 9-5 lead earlier on. In the last 16, Harold was again drawn against a previous opponent, but in this case one to whom he had narrowly lost. Unable to capitalise on the same opportunities as he had done in their previous encounter, Harold could only amass 7 hits as his opponent surged to victory. However, the weekend's best performance came from Anna in the Women's Sabre event, held on the following day. Following on from her 5th place finish at the BUSA Individuals Champs and a crucial role in the university team's impressive league and trophy run, Anna was among the favourites going in to the event, but the small field of 7 belied some strong opposition. Thus, besides easily winning a number of her pool fights, she also narrowly lost 2, in each instance being deprive of victory by a single hit. The semi final match proved to be relatively straightforward, leaving Anna only 15 hits away from the title, but with a strong challenger, this turned into a real competition. Indeed, going in to the first break, Anna trailed her counterpart by 8 hits to 6. Then, finding a renewed sense of resolve, she returned to the bout with a determination to win which left her opponent to bemoan what might have been as she raced to the championship.
Great news! Our women's team has won the first round of the BUSA Fencing Knockouts Trophy today! Our team has won 45 to 38 in sabre, 45 to 28 in epee, and 45 to 37 in foil. Overall a fine victory of 135 to 103. Good luck to the women's team on their 2nd round match which will take place next wednesday! For now, congrats!!
In barely a couple of weeks (Tuesday & Wednesday Wk.8), there'll be the momentous event that is the club's exec elections - your chance to decide who runs you're beloved fencing club over the next 12 months!!! etc. To help you understand what each position entails, and allow you to decide whether you would be a suitable candidate for one of these, we've produced this invaluable guide.
President: Acts as the figurehead of the club, and is responsible for most of the club's key decisions. Responsible for booking hall for training, liasing with Sports Officer and overseeing strategic development, organising National Novices alongside Novices Captain, chairing exec meetings, and equal ops stuff. Pretty high on the omnipotence scale. Treasurer: Has a fairly good idea of where and how money's coming into and leaving club accounts. Is repsonsible for all financial tranactions and decisions, liasing with Armourer about kit levels and ordering decisions, and for collecting termly coaching fees. Works with President to determine club strategy and may also co-ordinate efforts to increase income (eg. sponsorship, grant bids etc.). Full training is provided, so you don't have to be reading economics or maths.
Vice-President: Contrary to popular belief, the holder of this position needent be involved in activities of ill-repute. Responsibilities generally entail standing in for the President in the event of significant absence, and otherwise co-operating with other exec members to ensure the smooth operation of the club (we'll come up with a more concise definition of this role within time, you wait).
Novices Captain: Usually reserved for a club member who has taken up the sport within the last 12 months. Works with the President to plan and co-ordinate the National Novices Championships, as well as generally assisting with the smooth running of the club.
Social Sec: Being sociable is something of an asset for this position. Is responsible for planning and co-ordinating club socials throughout the year, including meals, general nights out, bbqs, annual club dinner, etc. Pretty self explanatory really. Damn important.
Armourer: You can't really have a fencing club without an armourer, it just wouldn't happen. Responsible for reviewing kit quantity and quality, enacting any necessary repairs, co-ordinating regular clothing washing sessions, and liasing with the Treasurer to determine kit ordering requirements.
Men's and Women's Captains: Traditionally these positions have been appointed by the newly elected exec. Both are responsible for selecting and organising teams for BUSA League matches, organising entries for the BUSA Individuals Championships, and researching, promoting & facilitating entries for general competitions aimed at all club members.
Web Meister/Web Monkey/ IT girl/IT boy : As the title suggests, the holder of this position is responsible for updating and maintaining the club's glorious website. This is our main outlet to the outside world (yes, it does exist) and also has huge potential as a source and forum for club info. Know nout about running a website? No fear, full training will be provided.
Lots to choose from, see, and probably something among this will suit you. Any of these positions will require you to put in a certain amont of time throughout the year, but when you break them down into their compent responsibilities, there's really not that much to do. Ultimately this will look great on you're CV, and will prove to be immensely rewarding - its your chance to direct how the club is run next year and it is truely an amazing experience.
A very exciting announcement. President Mike has decided to leave his mark before stepping down as President, by securing the services of James Williams for a specialised Sabre Training Day. The day will be held on Sunday 26th February and should prove to be a great fun Sabre session with one of the sports most popular athletes. James is remembered for leading the Fencing Team GB at Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney Olympics as well as securing medals at the Commenwealth Games. Email fast to secure a place at this day...
The Mens Team season came to an end this week after a single point victory against a tough Nottingham team, with Yvo finding a double hit in the epee to secure Warwicks victory over Nottingham for the second year running. Our final fixture saw the Men head to Cambridge for what is always a tough match. The whole team fought well, with President Mike making his last ever BUSA appearance, however it was not to be a fairy tale ending as the score ended 135-93. A big well done to everyone who has represented the Men's 1sts this season and a very special thank you and well done to President Mike for all his dedication and memorable performances over the past three years, from fighting with flu, to getting the last hit at 44-44 against Oxford, and flooring a member of the Nottingham team, its been three years of good memories!
Onto the Women who had a tough contest this week against Birmingham ladies. Always going to be a tough fixture and proved to live up to expectations, with Birmingham taking the foil and epee, however revenge was in store in the Sabre, after losing 45-44 in the away leg, Anna and the Sabre Team managed to get one back with a 45-41 victory, although overall the score ended 131-104 to brum! Well done ladies, who have still secured 2nd in the league by some 6 clear points. Good luck in the knock-out stages girls!!
Week 9 saw a very weakened Mens team go to locals at Leicester. Unfortunately it was not to be our day and with President Mike doing all three weapons (and remembering why he sticks to Sabre) the team were unlucky to go down 135-79. Week 10 saw the Men host Loughborough (the sporting giants). Fencing is one sport that always runs close and this year was true to form, but once again it was not meant to be as Warwick lost their early lead to go down 132-124.
The Women also got the lovely journey to UEA this term and managed a better day in the East than the Men's team with another great performance, winning convincingly 135-93. Its looking like a close run in with Birmingham at the top of the league!!
This weeks BUSA matches saw the Men's Team trek most of the way across the country to UEA (east anglia apparently is in the midlands!!!) It is always a tough away match and it started as expected with UEA putting on a fairly strong Sabre team against our weakened one. Although a brave effort from Mike Irving clawed the score back from 40-24, with a good 13 hits in the last bout to end at a respectable 45-37 defeat in Sabre. Similar practice carried on in the Foil with another 45-37 defeat, but then we got to our incredibly weakend epee team, a brave effort from Dan and John picking up epee's for pretty much the first time, but it couldnt be saved losing 45-10 and an overall 135-84 defeat. The Womens team were also on their travels to an annually strong Birmingham team. This year appeared to be no exception, going down in both foil and epee 45-18 and 45-31 respectively. However our newly strenghtened sabre team took to the front and put on a great show. The girls did fantastic to take Birmingham to the brink but narrowly missed out losing 45-44. A defeat overall 135-93....hopefully heart can be taken and revenge brought on the return leg at Warwick.
Saturday saw 2005's National Novices Competition descend on Warwick! It was a fantastic day for all, competitors, organisers and spectators alike! I'd like to issue a big thanks to all who helped out or took part, and to those who gave a cheer or two from the sides!
A special well done to all the Warwick Fencers who did us proud, some great results and entertaining fencing. But a BIG well done to Harry Callaghan who fought her way to 3rd place in the Womens Foil!
Hope you all had fun, and will be around to make next year's event even bigger and better still!!
After two fixtures each for the Mens and Womens 1st teams, Warwick's BUSA Fencing season has started well. The Men's 1st, lost narrowly in their opening fixture to Oxford but then fought back well to beat Staffs to lie in 4th in their BUSA league.
The Women's 1st however have started brightly, with two convincing wins over UEA and Leicester to leave them sitting happily on top of the Womens League....a promising year ahead it seems...
Hey there, aspiring fencer (or possibly veteran fencer).. seems you're vaguely interested by the prospect of being able to poke a stick at someone else in a completely innocent and clean manner...
Read about this vibrant society on the about page.
Hope to see you all at training!
-Alex
With the site fully uploaded and the redirect setup, people will start pouring in! And when they do... we'll be ready for them!