Try Fencing

This page contains information for people who have not fenced before and are interested in trying fencing for themselves or for their children.

Please read through all of this information before contacting us, it will tell you about what the club can provide and how you can book a place on an introductory "taster"session.

Background Fencing is a sport suitable for persons of both sexes, all ages and does not require (at recreational level) exceptional degrees of physical fitness.

Despite the use of weapons, Fencing is a very safe sport due to the use of protective equipment and the rigorous enforcement of safety rules.

All of the Club's sessions are run by qualified coaches who have been through Child Protection training and are Criminal Records checked.

A first taste of Fencing At regular intervals the Club runs a "one night" taster session at the most popular weapon, the Foil. In this 1 ½ hour session we will cover safety, the basic fencing stance, how to move, attack and defend. The object is to allow you, by the end of the session, to try fencing against an opponent.

Adults - A free taster session will take place on Thursday 24th September 2009
Juniors - A free taster session will take place on Wednesday 23rd September 2009

Places are limited by the amount of kit we have available so please contact us well in advance of these dates.

What do I need to wear?

The club provides basic fencing equipment suitable for club level fencing with the Foil.

What you will need to wear are, T-shirt, ankle length trousers/tracksuit bottoms (shorts are not acceptable on safety grounds) and non-marking gym shoes/trainers.

Fencing requires the wearing of a close fitting mask and we would recommend that you avoid wearing anything in your hair that would prevent the mask making contact with the top and sides of your head.

Please do not wear hair gel as it leaves a mess in the mask.

It is possible to wear glasses under a fencing mask.

You are recommended to bring something to drink.

And if you enjoyed the Taster session, what is there to follow?

Should you wish to continue after the taster session it is then necessary to sign up for a six-week beginners' course. This course will commence the week after the taster session.

During the six weeks we will work on improving the moves that you were shown on the taster session. The course is aimed at completing the British Fencing Association Foil Grade 1 Proficiency level and those reaching the required standard will receive the badge and certificate.

The cost of the course is £45 adults, £30 children. (The fee is payable on the first week of the course and is not refundable in the event of non-attendance) And at the end of the Beginner's Course?

It is now "make your mind up time", do you want to continue with fencing? If so it is a matter of making a commitment and paying a termly fee in exchange for the equipment and coaching that the Club provides. Details will be provided towards the end of your beginners' course, the fees for those using the Club's kit are around £6 per week for adults, £4 per junior. Lower rates apply to people providing their own kit.

There is no immediate requirement to purchase your own equipment, but if you do the Club can provide advice on what to buy and where to find it. The Club will provide equipment on the following basis.

Adults - The Club will provide new adult members with basic equipment for the first year of fencing. With a limited supply of equipment we cannot make a longer-term commitment that would prevent us from allowing more people to try fencing. Exceptions to this rule will be considered on an individual basis.
Juniors - The Club will endeavour to make suitable sized basic equipment available to all junior fencers. However, our supply of kit is limited and as children grow we cannot guarantee that we will always be able to meet their changing equipment needs.

So you'd like to come and have a try? Because we operate from a Ministry of Defence site it is not possible to turn up, unannounced, and expect to gain access to the Club. Please contact us by e-mail or by 'phone so that we can determine if we have suitably sized equipment to enable you (your child) to come and try our sport. What we will need to know is age (if under 18), a chest size (in inches or centimetres), and whether you are right or lefthanded (some equipment is specifically handed and for safety reasons can only be used by those people). Once we know that we have suitable kit available we can then arrange for you to attend our next, free, taster session and talk you through the information that we need to enable you to get into the college.

Contacts By e-mail at wefencingclub@hotmail.com
By phone
Adults - Matt Ball 01509 556620
Juniors - Paul Johnstone 01509 236359