Social Benefits
Fencing, unlike many other sports, is very sociable and carries notions of honour, chivalry and nobility. It is excellent sport in bridging gaps between sexes, ages, sizes, ethnicity and personality. It's open to anyone who welcomes a challenge both mental and physical.
The social rewards should not be overlooked. Club members often become friends and competitors find themselves meeting hundreds of people over the years as they travel to competitions locally, nationally, and internationally. You can fence in clubs and in tournaments in various age categories starting from under 11, through open and up to veteran competitions. Almost all categories have State, National and World Championships. Very skilled fencers may have the opportunity to compete in prestigious tournaments including the Olympic Games.
In European countries there are clubs where fencing weapon skills are passed over from generation to generation. Veteran fencing is an option not only for former athletes, but also for those without previous experience of fencing. After all, fencing is not about who is faster, stronger, and more endurable, but also about enjoyment.
Fencing can benefit people in many different ways, depending primarily on how seriously the student commits to its study, and what they are trying to learn from it. Many people who are reluctant to take part in team games enjoy the individuality of fencing. Just as there are countless personal characteristics that contribute to becoming a good fencer, so are there countless aspects of fencing that appeal to nearly every individual. Some individuals may seek to compete, and success in competition will be due solely to their own efforts: matching their own skill, speed and intellect against those of an opponent; female competing equally with male. Other individuals enjoy the pleasure of perfecting and performing disciplined movements correctly and studying the theory and language of fencing as pure recreation.
Fencing is universal kind of sport. The kids, their parents and grandparents may take a foil, epee or a sabre and compete with their fellow fencers. For many fencers competitions are not only about the serious business of fencing but also part of their social lives. Many friends are made via fencing and young fencers often enjoy competitions because they are a chance to see their friends. It may be that they want to enter competitions for this reason, rather than just to pick up ranking points or trophies. Many fencers aspire to be on the Squads. Lots don’t. With so much going on in their lives, many teenagers want fencing just to be a fun sport that they enjoy and that they want to fit round schooling, socialising and other out-of-school activities.
Until recently the sport was synonymous with European aristocracy and most matches were refereed in French and it was predominantly taught in elite schools.
Fencing is one of the few personal combat sports that can be successfully practised from a wheelchair. The rules are exactly the same as in the able-bodied sport with a few minor additions to cover the complications of fighting from a chair. From 1960 fencing is included into the program of Paralympics Games.
The sport of fencing has a long tradition with colleges and universities in Australia and all over the world. In USA, for example, nearly all colleges and universities have fencing in their program and offer scholarships for good fencers. If a college applicant has fencing experience, this would certainly be a plus on their college admissions. The colleges and universities need people who can fence to participate in their teams or in their club sports activities. Many fencers believe that fencing has made the difference between them going to a ‘good’ college or university and a ‘great’ college or university.
Coaching fencing, no matter at which level, can be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll have for the rest of you life. Anyone over 16 years old can become a fencing coach after gaining appropriate qualifications and accreditations. This could be full time work or casual, after work activity.
You also can become a referee starting from local up to international level. As more people find an appreciation for fencing, the demand for fencing referees is on the rise. In many countries fencing officials are payed for their time and work. Referees with international qualifications are selected regularly to referee international competitions, World Championships and Olympic Games.
You can also be involved in fencing as an administrator and volunteer. You could be a part of the Executive and various Committees governing the sport of fencing at a club, State, Australian or international levels, paid or unpaired, or serve as a volunteer. The involvement of sport volunteers is the key to the success and long term sustainability of fencing clubs, and sport events. Without volunteers the sport system could not operate. Sport of fencing depends on volunteers to function successfully.
Benefits for Children
There are many benefits for children participating in fencing which are beyond that offered by many other sports.
The social rewards should not be overlooked. Club members often become friends and competitors find themselves meeting hundreds of people over the years as they travel to competitions locally, nationally, and internationally. You can fence in clubs and in tournaments in various age categories starting from under 11, through open and up to veteran competitions. Almost all categories have State, National and World Championships. Very skilled fencers may have the opportunity to compete in prestigious tournaments including the Olympic Games.
In European countries there are clubs where fencing weapon skills are passed over from generation to generation. Veteran fencing is an option not only for former athletes, but also for those without previous experience of fencing. After all, fencing is not about who is faster, stronger, and more endurable, but also about enjoyment.
Fencing can benefit people in many different ways, depending primarily on how seriously the student commits to its study, and what they are trying to learn from it. Many people who are reluctant to take part in team games enjoy the individuality of fencing. Just as there are countless personal characteristics that contribute to becoming a good fencer, so are there countless aspects of fencing that appeal to nearly every individual. Some individuals may seek to compete, and success in competition will be due solely to their own efforts: matching their own skill, speed and intellect against those of an opponent; female competing equally with male. Other individuals enjoy the pleasure of perfecting and performing disciplined movements correctly and studying the theory and language of fencing as pure recreation.
Fencing is universal kind of sport. The kids, their parents and grandparents may take a foil, epee or a sabre and compete with their fellow fencers. For many fencers competitions are not only about the serious business of fencing but also part of their social lives. Many friends are made via fencing and young fencers often enjoy competitions because they are a chance to see their friends. It may be that they want to enter competitions for this reason, rather than just to pick up ranking points or trophies. Many fencers aspire to be on the Squads. Lots don’t. With so much going on in their lives, many teenagers want fencing just to be a fun sport that they enjoy and that they want to fit round schooling, socialising and other out-of-school activities.
Until recently the sport was synonymous with European aristocracy and most matches were refereed in French and it was predominantly taught in elite schools.
Fencing is one of the few personal combat sports that can be successfully practised from a wheelchair. The rules are exactly the same as in the able-bodied sport with a few minor additions to cover the complications of fighting from a chair. From 1960 fencing is included into the program of Paralympics Games.
The sport of fencing has a long tradition with colleges and universities in Australia and all over the world. In USA, for example, nearly all colleges and universities have fencing in their program and offer scholarships for good fencers. If a college applicant has fencing experience, this would certainly be a plus on their college admissions. The colleges and universities need people who can fence to participate in their teams or in their club sports activities. Many fencers believe that fencing has made the difference between them going to a ‘good’ college or university and a ‘great’ college or university.
Coaching fencing, no matter at which level, can be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll have for the rest of you life. Anyone over 16 years old can become a fencing coach after gaining appropriate qualifications and accreditations. This could be full time work or casual, after work activity.
You also can become a referee starting from local up to international level. As more people find an appreciation for fencing, the demand for fencing referees is on the rise. In many countries fencing officials are payed for their time and work. Referees with international qualifications are selected regularly to referee international competitions, World Championships and Olympic Games.
You can also be involved in fencing as an administrator and volunteer. You could be a part of the Executive and various Committees governing the sport of fencing at a club, State, Australian or international levels, paid or unpaired, or serve as a volunteer. The involvement of sport volunteers is the key to the success and long term sustainability of fencing clubs, and sport events. Without volunteers the sport system could not operate. Sport of fencing depends on volunteers to function successfully.
Benefits for Children
There are many benefits for children participating in fencing which are beyond that offered by many other sports.
- Children learn good sportsmanship, self-discipline and respect for others.
- They learn to compete independently as well as for a team.
- They learn to enjoy winning and profit from defeats, while becoming physically fit and healthy.
- They learn to make complex decisions, analyse problems, and think fast.
- Fencing is an activity that often captures the attention of kids who are not involved with other physical activity.
- Skills learned in fencing are transferable to any endeavour and help to create a well rounded and active person.
- Children learn independence and the importance of honesty and fair play.
- The anxious or worried child becomes more confident and assertive as he/she learns to move and control his/her body.
- Because fencing is an individual sport, the fencer is responsible to some extend for their success or failure, which becomes a great lesson in responsibility.
- Children who are reluctant to take part in team games enjoy the individuality of fencing.
- Scoring hits provides an outlet for energy and getting out aggression in a safe and controlled environment.
- Children are active and doing something, not being passive receptacles for programming and games beamed out from the TV, computer and electronic games.
- Fencing is a great solution to balancing a children's mind, body and spirit in order to temper a successful adult!
- Helps children reach their potential in many areas of life.