Practical exercises at the fencing coaches training in St Mary’s Secondary School, Nenagh. PHOTO: ODHRAN DUCIE

European Fencing Coaches collaborate in Nenagh

Fencing Ireland and Munster Blades Fencing Club hosted the recent international Foil Coaching Course in Nenagh last week, as part of the European Fencing Confederation’s Solidarity Programme.

Two Italian Fencing Federation Master coaches, Ugo Galli & Andrea Baldini, came to share their expertise with fifteen fencing coaches from Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Hungary, Czechia, Sweden, Cyprus, and Latvia, as part of a European initiative to enhance European coaching standards in fencing.

This event follows similar initiatives in Italy and Cyprus in recent months. The coaches from Ireland were from Munster Blades, Pembroke Fencing Club and Rebel Fencing Club.

St Mary’s Secondary School, a home for fencing in Munster, made their hall available for this International Foil Coaching Course, following a successful Women’s Sabre Camp in August.

“Fencing Ireland is delighted to have hosted the recent Foil Coaching Course as part of the European Fencing Confederation’s Solidarity Programme,” said Fencing Ireland.

“In times of division and uncertainty, this course has served as a reminder of the enduring strength that comes from unity, collaboration, and friendship. Our sport has always been about more than competition – it is about mutual respect, learning and the exchange of ideas across borders.

“We are profoundly grateful to the Italian Fencing Federation for generously providing the Master Coaches, Ugo Galli and Andrea Baldini, whose expertise and dedication have been inspirational.

“We also extend our sincere thanks to the European Fencing Confederation for their continued support in making this programme possible.

“This initiative has embodied the very essence of what it means to be part of the European fencing community. By working together, we not only advance our technical skills but strengthen the bonds that tie us as a collective. We look forward to continued collaboration and growth, united by a shared passion for excellence in fencing.”

Nenagh’s Munster Blades Fencing Club currently has forty members ranging from children to adults, who train in Foil, Epee and Sabre. They train on Friday nights at St. Mary’s Secondary School from 7.00pm. For more information, contact www.munsterblades.ie.