Fencers on guard for combat

THE HILLCREST Fencing Club is gearing up for combat as the club will host the first KZN competition for the 2015 season at Hillcrest High School on Saturday, 31 January from 9pm.

According to club chairman, Stuart Gibson, the club opened its doors on Wednesday, 7 January, and it was good to see a number of the members returning to training and also the arrival of new members.

The Hillcrest Fencing Club, which started with five members in 2013, now boasts 25 regular members. The age groups include men, women, teenage boys and girls and under-13s.

Two members, Alexander Gibson and Aaron Smith, received full KZN colours last year, and Carole Johnson and James Gibson received half colours.

For the first time in 20 years KZN sent a team to the SA Junior National Championships held in Gauteng, which included three members, Alexander Gibson, Aaron Smith and James Gibson of the Hillcrest Fencing Club. Of the three from the club, two received medals – Aaron received a gold in the under-13 épée and Alexander received a bronze in the under-17 épée, which proved that the Hillcrest Fencing Club and KZN are of a national standard.

“Past fencers are invited to dust off their old equipment and come and compete in the KZN competition. Hopefully the bug will bite and you will start fencing again,” said Gibson.

The community is also urged to go along to watch and support the local competition. This is a closed competition, and is only open to KZN fencers as it is a KZN-ranking competition. The KZN Open Fencing competition, which is open to all provinces, will be held on 14 and 15 February 2015. This is a national-ranking competition.

To learn more about fencing contact Stuart on 082 462 3788 or visit the website at www.fencingkzn.co.za.