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NI Fencing – AGM – Minutes

ni fencing agm meeting minutes

NI Fencing Limited 

Minutes of AGM  

7pm, 21 September 2026  

Meeting online 

 

Attendees 

James Penny (Chair), Tutu Ogle, Leanne Brown, Mike Westgate, Maoliosa Tate, Johnny Davis, Stephen Brown, Karen Armitage, Fergus Wilson, Stewart Duguid, Gavin Williams, Claire Murray & Scott Adair. 

 

Meeting Summary 

  • NI Fencing’s 2026 AGM reviewed a year of membership growth alongside continuing financial and operational pressures.  
  • British Fencing members registered to Northern Ireland rose to 317, although the figure may include some competitors based in the Republic of Ireland.  
  • The organisation received £35,000 in Sport NI participation funding, around £4,000 from British Fencing and £2,500 from the Junior Foil Series.  
  • Reserves increased to just over £13,000 but remain below the desired level. 
  • Sport NI funding for 2026/27 was applied for in March and awarded in August. The delay exposed NI Fencing’s significant cash-flow risk.  
  • The meeting confirmed board and officer appointments, identified further volunteer needs, and highlighted the importance of club participation, equipment access, competition capability and a long-term performance pathway using relationships across Ireland, Britain and Europe. 
  • Mike Westgate announced that he expects to leave Northern Ireland after the January 2027 NI Open, after 50 years of involvement. Members recorded their thanks for his contribution and noted the importance of succession planning, particularly for high-level coaching across the three weapons. 

Key Decisions and Appointments 

  • Leanne Brown, Tutu Ogle and James Penny were reappointed to continue on the board, with James serving until the end of 2026. 
  • Scott Adair was appointed as a new director. 
  • Richard Adams was reappointed as auditor. 
  • Karen Armitage agreed was appointed safeguarding officer. 
  • Claire Murray confirmed was appointed veterans officer. 
  • Further volunteers are still sought for fundraising, competition volunteer coordination, and referee/DT development. 

 

Finances and Participation 

Sport NI funding for the current year was reported as approximately £35,000 and is focussed on participation activity. British Fencing support is around £4,000, with additional unrestricted income generated by the Junior Foil Series. The primary account had recovered from just under £9,000 at March 2025 to just over £13,000 at March 2026, with a further approximately £1,500 in a separate funds account. However, reserves remain below the level considered necessary, and the delayed Sport NI award highlighted significant cash-flow risk. The club participation grant for 2026/27 has increased to £3,000, but only one club had applied successfully at the time of the AGM. 

Strategic Priorities 

The meeting supported continued growth in junior participation while recognising the need for better provision for veterans and performance-focused fencers. Members discussed developing a long-term performance pathway, strengthening cooperation with Fencing Ireland and overseas clubs, and maintaining access to higher-standard competition in Britain and Europe. Concerns were raised about the cost and possible eligibility barriers associated with British Fencing pathways. The need to build referee and competition-management capability was also highlighted, including shadowing experienced organisers at events. Clubs were encouraged to pursue local council grants, share equipment with universities and other clubs, and prepare for possible changes to mask safety requirements. 

Actions and Follow-up 

  • James Penny and Tutu Ogle to brief Scott Adair on board responsibilities and administration. 
  • James Penny to speak with British Fencing about pathway eligibility. 
  • James Penny and Fergus Wilson to publish clear equipment requirements for NI Fencing competitions. 
  • Maoliosa Tate to confirm whether the proposed new mask requirement applies to Irish and Northern Irish senior competitions. 
  • James Penny to contact Queen’s University regarding equipment-sharing and identify a volunteer to shadow David Connolly in competition management. 
  • The board to explore fundraising, cross-border funding, club partnerships and possible travel support for developing fencers. 
  • Clubs to submit applications for the available participation grants and consider local council sports funding. 

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