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North London outfit making their point
CAMDEN FENCING CLUB welcomes beginner and experienced fencers of all ages and members of the club compete at all levels from the youngest age groups to veterans, with a number of cadet, junior and senior members competing at international level.
The club opened in September 2001 as a community youth project and became a beacon club in the Camden Sports Academy, which was established as a joint venture between the Local Authority and GLL.
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In 2012, the club merged with Scimitar, one of Britain’s leading senior sabre clubs and now offers a dedicated programme, which is open five nights a week.
The chairperson of club is Patricia Aiyenuro, the only black team manager in fencing within Europe. This week she talks to the Voice of Sport’s Rodney Hinds...
Q: When did your interest in fencing begin and why?
A: I was looking for a sport for my son to take part in. He played football and athletics, however, I thought it would be nice to try out something new and try another sport. Some friends of mine from church invited me to bring my son to a free taster session at Camden Fencing Club and he loved it.
Q: When did your association with Camden Fencing Club begin and how?
A: I joined Camden Fencing Club in April of 2003. I started as a parent who would take my son (Soji) to the club for one and a half hours a week on a Friday. The Sabre coach, Ian Williams thought he had some talent and asked him to come to two sessions a week. Soji won a silver medal in his first competition and I really enjoyed the experience of traveling with him to competitions and supporting him.
IN SESSION: The club’s fencers in action
Q: Fencing is seen as an elitist sport, what can be done to break down the barriers?
A: If we make it more accessible then it will break down the barriers, it is a very fun sport and people need to see that anyone of any age can start. It is good exercise and there are lots of opportunities within the sport to grow, be it, as a fencer, referee, coach, admin etc.
Q: Who are what have been your fencing inspirations?
Main inspiration is Peter Westerbrook, a former Olympian, who runs the Peter Westerbrook foundation in New York, a non profit organisation that teaches fencing to children and funds scholarships enabling them to fence and study. Also the head coach of the club Ian Williams who has worked relentlessly to coach and look after fencers since I met him in 2003. He is a exellent coach and former Olympian and personal friend.
Q: What it is your vision for the club?
A: Vision of the club is to grow - at the moment we have 150 members, ideallly we want to grow to at least 200 members. Also to find a dedicated venue. Vision is also to have a higher proportion of fencers are female and also more members from the BAME community. To have a sustainable but affordable club that can help support all members to fence to the best of their abilities be it locally or internationally.
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