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Dragon Fencing ClubSunday, 23 November 2008 Dragon Fencing Club has been running in Hardwick School since July of this year putting on courses for children between the ages of 7 and 11. So far we have had over 50 children take part in beginner courses and now have 20 signed up for intermediate courses. We are also, in January, starting up a regular club night for those children to progress onto in the expectation that they will be working towards entering competitions by the summer of 2009.
Dragon Fencing Club has been set up to get more primary school children involved in an old and established Olympic sport that combines skill, co-ordination, concentration and fitness with the thrill of combat in a safe and structured way. Fencing is an excellent sport for both boys and girls who can compete on equal terms using the specially designed equipment. All the equipment is new and consists of masks, chest protectors and a range of foils (swords) starting with foam foils and progressing to ridged plastic foils. We also now have sets of new metal fencing equipment for the older children and for adults. If your child is in Hardwick School and in years 3, 4, 5 or 6 they will be offered the opportunity to try one of our courses. We are also intending to run some courses in other local primary schools but our main club will run from Hardwick.
The club is run by Alan and Philip West. Philip is the coach; he has been a coach for five years and has been coaching whilst at university. He is also an experienced fencer in his own right having fenced at international level since the age of 15. Alan is a semi retired primary school teacher who still teaches P E part time and who does the organisation, administration and some of the coaching. We will continue running courses for children at the school but will also plan courses for other age groups if there is a demand. At present we have an adult (15+) course planned for January 2009. The course will be four weeks of sessions lasting 1 ½ hours on a Tuesday evening from 7.30pm – 9.00pm in the school gym starting 20th January. The course covers the basics of fencing foil and all equipment is provided. Each session covers a fencing related warm up, skills practices using full fencing kit, and ends with fights against the other course members. The last session of the course incorporates a mini competition. This is an ideal new sport for all males and females to try, combining skill, speed, and agility as well as being great fun with no previous experience necessary. If you are interested in joining these sessions please contact us on the number or email address below. The 6 hours of training will cost a total of £30 which covers coaching, equipment and hall hire. If you would like more details before applying please phone 01223 263412 or email us on dragonfencingclub@hotmail.com |
