Local fencing coach happy to participate in international programme
Sello Maduma from Polokwane is a participant in an enrichment course, which he will complete at the Olympic headquarters in Switzerland in April 2023.
POLOKWANE – Sello Maduma of the Sello Maduma Fencing Academy in Polokwane was among 32 fencing coaches worldwide who participated in the international coaching enrichment programme certificate at the University of Delaware in the US in September.
The one-year coaching scholarship was offered by Olympic solidarity in partnership with the US Olympics and Paralympics training centre and the University of Delaware.
Maduma said the course has taught him about different aspects of fencing.
“It was a privilege and an honour to be part of the team who took part in the course. I was with the US national team coaches Natalie Dostert and former national team coach Adrey Geva, who is also the owner of the number one ranked epee team in the US – Alliance Fencing Academy. I am glad that I was part of their conversations. It does not happen often, sometimes when you converse with such people you feel like you’re drowning. It was encouraging to share a space with them and they helped me to increase my fencing knowledge. I learned various styles of fencing, the grip, foot movement and technical awareness. Those are the things I want to focus on to improve my coaching. I also learned about sport psychology, sport medicine, sport development, the importance of grass roots development and team work.”
Maduma will complete the course at the Olympic headquarters in Switzerland in April 2023.
“There is a lot of work to be done. I need to write a dissertation on the development of fencing in the province. The challenges faced by fencers from our villages, schools in the rural areas and what can we do to develop them. This will be presented in Switzerland and after that I will receive my qualification.”
