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Begin Fencing

The Academy welcomes anyone from 7 years old up.

From 7 to 10, a beginner is included in our U10/U8 program running on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 5.30 and, but only in sabre, on Saturday from 1 to 3.

From 11 years old up, a beginner is included in the U12 to senior training on Monday to Friday, depending on the weapon, from 5.30 to 6.30.

Our beginners introduction consists of 1 to 2 months of individual and group training, one hour each time. During this time, a beginner is taught the basics of fencing until he/she will be able to actually fence. At that point a beginner can train for 2 hours including 1 hour of fencing matches.

The Academy provides the necessary equipment during the introduction period, then the fencer can buy his/her own equipment.

Fencing match

Age to Start Fencing

Children can begin fencing as early as 7 years old.

At this young age, fencing classes consist of basic footwork and blade work, exercises to improve hand-eye coordination skills and general motor athletic skills.

All classes also include an individual lesson and supervised fencing matches.

Children love the opportunity to fence each other and use the skills they learned in class.

Our “Fence for Fun” and "U10/U8" children’s programs are designed to provide an introduction to one of the most fascinating, exciting and safest sport.

Fencing develops: discipline, balance, coordination, quick reflexes, mental acuity, good team sportsmanship.

Parent's Role

Parents provide support and encouragement. Most importantly, they’re positive role models of good sportsmanship and respect, showing respect and appreciation to coaches, officials, and opponents.

Providing consistency is also very important. Get your child to practice regularly as consistent training is necessary to realise the benefits of fencing. Use school holidays (we’re usually open!) to maximise training opportunities.

At competitions don’t focus on wins and losses; rather, praise good technique, strategy and sportsmanship. Winning will follow naturally.

Father and son at fencing competition

Get in touch

Send us an enquiry today to get started with your fencing journey.

Antonio Signorello

Coach Antonio Signorello

Antonio started coaching in Italy in 1994.

From 2000 to 2008 has worked with the Italian National Team, training athletes to win medals at European and World level as well as for the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

From 2009 to 2024 Antonio has lead the Australian Team to win medals at the Asian championships and at the University World Games, ultimately guiding the Aussie Foil team to be ranked top 12 in the World.

Antonio students have won several Italian and Australian titles in both foil and sabre.

Simon Capon

Coach Simon Capon

Simon, who has been part of the Australian Fencing Team as an athlete, coaches all weapons but he's specialised in Epee.

His students have achieved some excellent results in recent years, including the n.1 on the Australian U17 ranking, top 16 at the Asian championships and top 64 at the Worlds cadets.

Simon is very dedicated to his students and he’s extremely motivated to bring everyone to the next level.

Chris Paoloni

Coach Christopher Paoloni

Chris has been fencing foil for a while and, despite the young age, he has decided to start his coaching career.

Chris is very fond of the Italian foil school, and, under the guidance of Maestro Signorello and coach Capon he has quickly gained everyone’s trust and respect.

Amelie' Awong

Coach Amelie' Awong

Amelie’ Awong has had a high level athlete’s career, being part of the Epee French Team and winning team gold at the 2015 Universiade as well as the senior French Championship in the same year.

Amelie’ is now coaching both epee and fencing fitness at the Sydney Academy of Fencing, trying to pass her valuable experience to the young Australian fencers.

Richard Emmerick

Coach Richard Emmerick

After a competitive fencing career in foil, Richard formed the Mountains Fencing Club, and began coaching; a role he has filled to the present time.

Richard has been NSW Epee coach for the AFF.

In 2013 Richard attended an FIE epee coaching course in Uzbekistan.

Richard has also led the U23 Australian Epee Team to the Asian Championships in Kuwait.

Richard has been acknowledged by Sport NSW with the 2020 Distinguished Long Service Award and he has recently received an honorary plaque from the NSWFA, “in recognition of a career of valuable and consistent support for fencing development in NSW.”

Alex Andre'

Coach Alex Andre'

Alex Andre’, after being an athlete of the Australian Sabre Team at the senior Asian and World Championships, started coaching after the 2012 London Olympics.

Alex is the most winning coach of all time at the commonwealth championships, with 6 gold and one silver medals in one single event in London 2022.

Alex students have won many Australian championships in all categories and, her main student, Veronika Vasileva, has been ranked n.1 in the junior world ranking.

Michael Howard

Coach Michael Howard

Michael has coached for many clubs and, in 2009, joined the NSW Squad program, becoming also an assistant national coach for the national HPP.

In 2018, he established his own club called 'Hills Sabre Academy', out in Western Sydney.

He has toured with NSW fencers to many national events all over Australia and he has led the Australian Sabre Team to international events such as the World University Games in China 2011, the Cadet Junior World Champs - Moscow 2012 and the Senior World Champs - Budapest 2013.

Many of his students have achieved impressive results in state, national and international events and, more specifically, they've won two gold medals at the 2024 Commonwealth Championships.

General Disclaimer

All care is taken in the preparation of the information and published on this website. Sydney Academy of Fencing does not make any representations or give any warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose.

To the extent permissible by law, Sydney Academy of Fencing will not be liable for any expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damages) or costs which might be incurred as a result of the information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

If you have any concerns regarding the content of the website, please contact us.

Privacy Policy

Sydney Academy of Fencing is committed to providing quality services to you and this policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.

We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.

A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at https://www.oaic.gov.au/.

What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?

Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect includes names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers.

This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including correspondence, by telephone and facsimile, by email, via our website www.sydneyacademyoffencing.com.au, from your website, from media and publications, from other publicly available sources, from cookies and from third parties. We don't guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.

We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you, providing information to our clients and marketing. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.

When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.

Sensitive Information

Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual's racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.

Sensitive information will be used by us only:

Third Parties

Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.

Disclosure of Personal Information

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:

Security of Personal Information

Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.

Access to your Personal Information

You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.

Sydney Academy of Fencing will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.

In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.

Maintaining the Quality of your Personal Information

It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.

Policy Updates

This Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.

Privacy Policy Complaints and Enquiries

If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us.

Refund Policy

The academy offers a refund only in case of a long term injury or relocation to another state. In any other circumstance the fees aren’t refundable.