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Published: 23 August, 2012
by CATHERINE ETOE

BRITAIN’S top-ranked sabreuse and two Olympian foilists are set to join the coaching roster at the not-for-profit Camden Fencing Club (CFC) on the eve of a new chapter in its 11-year history

CFC, which has been running a junior community programme since 2001, is merging with the adult sabre fencing club Scimitar to create what officials say will be one of the biggest fencing clubs in Britain.

The club, which is open to children from Camden, Islington and nearby districts, already boasts a raft of national champions and World and European Championship fencers. Chairman Ronald Velden says the merger will give younger fencers the chance to remain at the club. “It will provide high quality training for those who need it and those who want to be recreational fencers will have bigger opportunities to enjoy the sport without pressure. Our aim is to make the sport affordable and good value,” he said.

CFC (above) already boast six top coaches and joining them at the newly merged club will be British World Champ­ionships fencer Joanna Hutchison, three-time Olympian and Britain No1 Richard Kruse and two-time Olympian and former European Champion Gabriella Varga of Hungary.

The combined club will run under the CFC brand at Acland Burghley School in Tufnell Park, offering a full range of classes at all standards for juniors aged seven to 17 years and adults.

The club, which is the only one in London to be awarded Club and Sword Mark accreditation by the British Fencing Association, reopens on September 3. For more information visit www.camdenfencing club.org.uk