Fencing classes | Beginners Courses | Local Competitions | Foreign Competitions | Training Camps

Fencing classes

Beginner's Courses

Beginner’s courses are usually organised by the St. Paul Fencing Club three times per fencing season. – September/October, January/February and April/May. The course held in April 2005 was the 25th organised by the St. Paul Fencing Club since September 1995.

Courses are held both for adults and children by qualified instructors. All equipment is lent out to beginners who need not initially purchase any items of their own.

Courses and/or Friendly competitions can be organised in Malta for visiting foreign clubs and individual fencers.

 Local Competitions

The St. Paul Fencing Club organises three ranking competitions per fencing season, which runs from September of one year to June of the following year. Ranking competitions must, according to the rules of the National Fencing Association – Malta (N.F.A.M.), be held at least one month apart.

 The St. Paul Fencing Club competitions are normally held in December, April/May, and June. The competitions are termed ‘ranking’ since they are held under the auspices of the N.F.A.M. and the fencers taking part in these competitions are awarded ranking points which are based on the number of participants, whether local or foreign, and the final placing of each fencer at the competition. A certain amount of ranking points is carried forward from a previous season to every new fencing season. All points are recorded both on a club and national ranking list. The St. Paul Fencing Club team selection is based on a weighted list from both weapons (Foil and Epee) practiced at the club. The national team is selected from the National ranking list.

 Other important events on the calendar are the National championships at each weapon and are normally held in February/March of each season. The first National championships were held in 1998. These events are organised by the National Fencing Association – Malta (N.F.A.M). The St. Paul Fencing Club fencers have taken gold in all four weapons (Men’s foil and epee, Ladies foil and epee) for the past four years.

 All ranking competitions are organised to the highest standards in accordance to the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (F.I.E. – World Fencing Governing Body) rules, foreign referees are invited to preside over the events.

 Competitions are also organised for the children in the St. Paul Fencing Club cadet classes – they are held 3 times a year in the week prior to the senior ranking events.

Schedule for Season 2006/2007

Ranking Competitions (Registered with the National Fencing Association – Malta)

All the above competitions are in four weapons: Men’s foil and epee, Ladies foil and epee. Sabre by request.

Who can participate: All St.  Paul Fencing Club competitions are open to all local and foreign fencers who must be registered with their National Federations.

Fees for competitors

One Weapon - $30

Two weapons - $40

Accommodation

 The St.  Paul Fencing Club will be glad to assist fencers from other countries in planning a fencing holiday in Malta. Contact us for any assistance

Foreign Competitions

Overseas competitions are divided into two categories – F.I.E. events and Open events. F.I.E events are divided in the following categories – World Championships, Regional (in our case European) Championships, Grand Prix and A-Grades. At F.I.E. events the fencers are representing their respective country and not clubs, of which they are members. Selection for fencers to represent Malta is conducted by the National Fencing Association – Malta (N.F.A.M.) council in accordance to the rules and regulations stipulated in the N.F.A.M. statute. Since 1998, St. Paul Fencing Club members have represented Malta in two world championships (La Chaux-de-Fond, Switzerland – October 1998 and Seoul, South Korea – November 1999) and two European Championships (Bolzano, Italy – June 1999 and Madeira, Portugal – July 2000)

Open competitions are organised by the National Federations, Fencing clubs or individuals all over the world. The St. Paul Fencing Club members have attended a number of these competitions over the years mainly in Europe. This type of competition does not restrict participation to fencers who have been selected by the N.F.A.M. council to form part of the national team. In fact any fencer registered with a club may participate in these competitions, gaining valuable experience and ranking points, which are added to the Maltese National ranking

Training Camps

The St.  Paul Fencing Club has organised a number of training camps in our country and we have been visited by a number of well-known fencing masters. Foremost amongst these would be Maitre Ziemowit Wojciechowski, Coach to several British team members, Maitre Patrick Boite, attached to the French Fencing Federation, and Maitre Robert Kiss, ex-Hungarian Olympic Fencer. One of the club’s early mentors who offered invaluable technical advice to the St. Paul Fencing Club was Mr. Allan Skipp, Head of coaching of the British Fencing Association.

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Fencing classes | Beginners Courses | Local Competitions | Foreign Competitions | Training Camps