Category: Administration

  • 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.

  • Important – New Access NI Process

    Please note that there is now a new process for Applying for an Enhanced Disclosure through Access NI in conjunction with our Umbrella Body – The Northern Ireland Sports Forum.

    Details of the procedure can be found on the Safeguarding Documents and Resources Page.  I have also linked the document here for easy access – Access NI Application Process – NI Sports Forum

    All Volunteers and Coaches are required to have an Access NI Check.  If you have previously had a check you will need to renew it as soon as possible.

    As we no longer have umbrella status due to the small number of checks that we conduct it was necessary to partner with another umbrella organisation – the NISF.  However this means that there is a charge for the check as follows;

    Volunteers and Volunteer Coaches – £10

    Paid Coaches – £43

    For further information and to help process an application please contact either David Connolly or Julie Murphy.

  • Funding Cuts – UK School Games (UKSG)

    We have been informed by Sport NI that due to public sector cuts they will be unable to fully fund Northern Ireland Fencings attendance at the 2015 School Games.  Sport NI are cutting their contribution by 50%.  In effect this will leave a £3500 shortfall which will need to be filled.  NI Fencing strongly supported the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in 2014 and as a result we cannot offer any financial support for the UKSG competition. Consequently,  any fencer selected will be required to make a £150 contribution towards their participation in the UKSG upon confirmation of attendance.

  • Northern Ireland Team Manager

    NI Fencing Ltd would like an expression of interest from any candidate (+18) wishing to be considered for the role of the Northern Ireland Team Manager. Please note that this role will run for a period of 3 years.  For more details check out the Positions Vacant Page.

  • NI Commonwealth Team Manager 2014

    NI Fencing Ltd. would like an expression of interest from any candidate (+18) wishing to be considered for the role of the Northern Ireland Team Manager at the Commonwealth Fencing Championships 2014.

    For full details please go to the  Positions Vacant Page.