Club News - Summer 2023

Lots has been happening at HFC over the summer term, and also the summer holidays this year. If you've not been with us for a while, this club news article will bring you up to date, and we looking forward to seeing many more of you back with us for the autumn term. Regular training resumes next week! Book now at www.hitchinfencing.com/bookings

Fencing lesson outside on the green at Hitchin Girls School - Nikodem Dyk with Prof. Tony Middleton.

Lisa Drage - GBR qualification and selection for the World Championships!

Huge congratulations to Coach Lisa, who will join the GBR Veteran team in Florida for the World Championships this autumn. She fought hard for this selection, coming second at the British Veterans Championships in late April in Manchester. It's amazing to see her progress from novice to national team member. It should also be mentioned that Lisa got a bronze medal at the Norfolk Open. Well done - HFC is very proud of you.

HFC fencers competing on the junior circuit

Well done to our members Jasper Hunter, Trystan Pettorelli, Xander Curran, Nikodem Dyk and Fred Smith who have competed at various tournaments over the summer term including the Newham Junior Series events, England Youth Championships, British Youth Championships, and Leon Paul Junior Series events at Cambridge, Fighting Fit & FCL. You have all progressed so much and should be really pleased with your results and development.

HFC juniors in action at the Cambridge LPJS.

HFC Summer Camp

This year HFC ran its first ever intensive summer camp from the 1st - 4th August, staffed by Prof. Tony Middleton, Prof. Lance Larsen and Oksana Babaeva. It was a great success with 12 junior foilists getting stuck in and developing their skills. Sessions ran from 9am - 5pm daily, comprising of fun fencing related games, team challenges, sparring and tournaments. Fencers also got to work on their proficiency awards and a number passed the British Academy of Fencing Bronze and Gold Awards - certificates will be given out at the beginning of term. It was great to see real progress being made, and the immersive nature of the course meant that everyone improved in some way. Everyone had fun and developed in confidence - and this is what it's all about.

Alongside the summer camp, other coaches attended to brush up their skills before taking Level 2 or Level 3 exams. All four candidates passed with flying colours - so a fantastic result - well done.

Due to the enthusiastic response, I can see a Summer Camp running again next year around the same time - so watch this space!

Italian relay tournament at the HFC Summer Camp.

The final salute! Juniors finish their 4 day intensive training.

Farewell to Will Kingsbury

The nature of running a fencing club with juniors and cadets is that you develop students, and eventually have to let them go. However it is fantastic to have been instrumental in their success, and been with them on their fencing journey. Will is going to Bristol University to study History mid - September, and we wish him all the best. He'll be back at Christmas of course, so he'll be there at the beginning and end of our terms, but the club will miss him when he's away. Having started with us as a junior, progressed through to selection for the Welsh National Squad, and competed at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships, HFC is very proud of him. He was our first student to reach national selection. Well done also for last 16 result in your last BYC Championship (!) Congratulations on all your achievements young man, I'm sure you will go far, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.