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Author: NI Fencing

  • Mike Westgate: BFA Lifetime Achievement award

    Mike Westgate: BFA Lifetime Achievement award

    On Saturday 1st July NI Fencing Performance Director Mike Westgate was awarded the Lifetime Achievement at the British Fencing Awards Dinner held at the University of Nottingham.

    Mike started fencing when still at school in Great Yarmouth in 1954. He fenced in a number of competitions in England but had a serious knee injury playing football which finished his competitive career. In 1966 he gained his first coaching award and coached at his school and in the evenings at clubs. Mike coached the England Schools team and later the British Junior Epee team. He also helped the Foil National Coach with the Senior squad weekly training sessions.

    In 1977 he was invited to help with the training of Northern Ireland fencers and coaches. This involved traveling to Northern Ireland at least for six weekends a year. Later he became part-time National Coach. In 2000 Mike moved over to Northern Ireland and now lives in Drumahoe. He coaches at Foyle Fencing Club, Queens University, Ulster University as well as visiting clubs throughout the Province.

    The award was given for the work done and his achievements over the years. He has attended European and World Championships at both Junior and Senior level since 1980 as a coach to Great Britain and to Ireland. In 1980 he attended the Moscow Olympic Games as a coach to the Irish Modern Pentathlon team.

    It is difficult to point out the highlights of my coaching career. There have been so many and I have been fortunate to have the pleasure of working with so many talented people. Perhaps in Northern Ireland seeing the first fencer to qualify for the Olympics, the first home-based fencer to qualify for a World Championship, win a British title or a medal in a Junior World Cup.

    I feel that I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach and work with so many talented people. To be presented with this award is the highlight of my career which makes me feel both humble and proud.

     

    NI Fencing would like to extend their congratulations to Mike on this great achievement and thank him for all his hard work over the years.

  • 2017 School Games

    2017 School Games

    The team for this year’s School Games is as follows:

    Women’s Foil Men’s Foil Women’s Epee Men’s Epee Women’s Sabre Men’s Sabre
    Sarah Shaw Robbie Cockburn Charlotte Slater Paul Verdon Beth Taylor Kieran Dowse
    Catherine McConvey Daniel Sigurdsson Eve Megaw Michael Thompson Ciara Cormican Ross Patton
    Orla McGinnity Luke Wallace Zoe Peden William Girvin Emma Jane McLaughlin Christian Hegarty
    Team Officials: Andy Murphy. Brian Murray. Rachel Philpott. Lydia Roets

    Congratulations to everyone!

     

    To find out more information about the School Games the website is:
    http://schoolgamesfinals.org/home

    Or to follow the action on Social Media:

    Twitter:
    https://twitter.com/_SchoolGames

  • New Selectors Board

    New Selectors Board

    As of May 2017 there is a new Board of Selectors for NI Fencing:

     

    The new selectors are:

     

    David Burnside (Epee)

    David Downey (Sabre)

    Peter Brown (Foil)

     

    With Sandra Martin and Mike Westgate as Joint Co-ordinators

     

    Congratulations everyone on your new Positions!

     

     

  • Northern Ireland Fencing Selectors Board

    Northern Ireland Fencing Selectors Board

    NI Fencing Ltd. would like an expression of interest from anyone wishing to be considered for a position on the Northern Ireland Fencing Selectors Board, for full information on how to apply please see the Positions Vacant page

  • Historical Abuse Cases

    Historical Abuse Cases

    While NI Fencing ltd, in its current iteration, has no connection with the previous entity’s which existed in its place, the board, the coaches and clubs take all allegations of abuse very seriously.   In light of the recent revelations in football around historical abuse claims NIF would like to re-iterate its commitment to the safeguarding of all children and vulnerable young people who participate in our sport. 

    To that end, we would like to draw attention to the child protection policies and disclosure procedures available on the NIF website. 

    Any disclosures which may predate the existence of NI Fencing Ltd can still be made via these procedures, and will be handled in line with policy, and in connection with the PSNI, as allegations of abuse are an operational police matter. 

    We advise all clubs to ensure that there are no outstanding/unexamined disclosures and to seek assistance from NIF, Sport NI, or the NSPCC to complete all necessary due diligence on any outstanding case.  It is the duty of every club, and the right of every disclosing child, to have their claims taken seriously and duly examined. 

    The NSPCC has set up a hotline, which anyone can call if they want to talk to someone in confidence. The number is 0800 023 2642.

  • School Games Selections 2016

    School Games Selections 2016

    The teams selected for the School Games competition have been posted on the Selection Decisions page.  The School Games will be hosted at Loughborough University in the East Midlands from the 1st – 4th September.

  • UKSG Funding Information

    UKSG Funding Information

    Once again the School Games National Finals 2016, which will be hosted at Loughborough University in the English East Midlands from the 1st – 4th September, will not be fully funded by Sport NI.  Sport NI are again cutting their contribution by 50%.  As per last year this will leave a £3500 shortfall which will need to be filled.  NI Fencing cannot offer any financial support for the School Games competition. Consequently,  any fencer selected will be required to make a £150 contribution towards their participation in the UKSG upon confirmation of attendance.

  • 2015-16 NIJFS R6 results and final rankings

    2015-16 NIJFS R6 results and final rankings

    NIJFS Round 6, the final round of the 2015-16 series, was held last Saturday 07 May at Lisburn Raquets Club, hosted by Lisburn Gladiators Fencing Club. Results now posted on the ‘Results – NIJFS’ page, final rankings on the ‘Rankings’ page.

  • 2015-16 NIJFS Round 6 – change of venue

    2015-16 NIJFS Round 6 – change of venue

    The venue for R6 of the 2015/16 NIJFS has changed. The new venue is Lisburn Racquets Club, 36 Belfast Road, Lisburn, BT27 4AS. The event date and times are unchanged.