It is with sadness we would like to inform that John, a Welsh Veteran fencer, and a member of Bangor University Fencing Club for about 20 years, passed away on Saturday 28th of January. He joined the club in his late 60s shortly before his retirement as a Senior Lecturer. Despite being a complete novice, he showed such natural aptitude.

Welsh Fencing are pleased to announce 2 major updates regarding para-fencing in Wales.

We recently secured capital funding from Sport Wales to purchase 2 wheelchair fencing frames and several wheelchairs suitable for fencing.

 One of the significant barriers for disabled people to participate in sports and physical activity is the additional equipment needed and its higher cost than equivalent equipment for non-disabled participants. Welsh Fencing is working to reduce that barrier by loaning these frames to strategically placed clubs, initially in Cardiff & Wrexham, enabling more opportunities for wheelchair users across Wales.

Sunday 5^th March saw over 40 fencers join our ADPC (Athlete Development Programme Cymru) training and BYC Qualifiers Day.

Welsh Fencing would like to thank all the fencers and parents that made the journey to this event, some from far-flung parts of the country.

The board of Welsh Fencing would like to thank those fencers that sent in their expression of interest to represent the Welsh region in the upcoming Senior Winton Cup. The board very much appreciate your commitment and desire to fence at this event.

Unfortunately, we have only had enough responses to field 3 of the 6 teams required, and it is with regret that we are therefore not able to enter this year’s event.

The board looked at a range of options to try and fill the teams, but we understand that there were many other commitments that weekend for fencers across Wales which has led to the unavailability of many of our fencers. To enter only half a team does not align with the character and values of the Winton Cup.

We hope that this is a unique set of circumstances in 2023, and we will endeavour to send full teams to compete for this Cup in future years.

This year we are pleased to announce that the 2023 Welsh Veterans Championship is being held at Llantwit Major Leisure Centre. We are also pleased to announce that the event is being generously sponsored by Chris Davies Estate Agents.

Llantwit Major is a small town located on the coast in the Vale of Glamorgan, it boasts a small beach which is good for surfing. There is plenty of accommodation, food and drink in the surrounding area to suit all tastes and budgets. The leisure centre has a free carpark and has showers, changing facilities WiFi, Water refill station. Catering is limited and competitors are advised to bring their own food and drink, a small first aid kit and personal medication.

Details of any formal/casual social event will be released at a later date.

Another busy evening for the club, as club members fought it out for the title of Club Champion.  The format was a Poule Unique, 5 hits, 3 minutes max per bout, and competition-style scoring against 'Total Victories', tied places being decided on Hits Scored minus Hits Received indicators.  

It was the 35th outing for the O'Sullivan Cup, and with 17 entrants (including 3 from Jersey), there was loads of action and an exciting fence-off for second place.

Results:

Full report - whitchurchfencing.co.uk/sullivan