The Welsh Fencing board would like to extend a heartfelt thank you on behalf of the whole fencing community to Matt Russell for his tireless work as Chair of Welsh Fencing over the last few years.
Since his appointment as Chair in 2020 Matt has worked extensively to promote and develop fencing in Wales. Throughout his tenure the position of Welsh Fencing has been strengthened through securing increased recognition on a national level, greater visibility within Wales, successful partnerships and continued success on the piste.
Matt has continued to safeguard the position of Wales as a host of prestigious national, and indeed international, fencing events with the ever-popular Welsh Open being joined by a hugely successful cadet BRC and working to secure and support Cardiff the wheelchair fencing World Cup hosted in Cardiff in 2024.
Matt was also instrumental in the successful planning and management of the Welsh delegation at 2023 Senior, Junior, Cadet and Veteran Commonwealth Championships in London and the 2024 Cadet & Junior Commonwealth Championships in New Zealand.
In recent years the position of fencing in the national landscape of Wales has continued to grow, with fencing being featured at both the Urdd Eisteddfod and the Hay-on-Wye Festival. The promotion and development were secured further thanks to an official partnership with the Urdd to support their delivery of fencing into the wider community.
However, Matt’s input stretched far beyond leading the organisation on a strategic level and he has performed many functions from DT, team management, refereeing and being a supportive parent and cheerleader for fencing in all its forms.
The board looks forward to continuing Matt’s legacy and is grateful for his continuing support of fencing in Wales.