Portsmouth fencing gets a helping hand.

Portsmouth youngsters will benefit from a new insurge of support from two major sports players in the city. Portsmouth Football club and the cities,Youth Service have both taken up the opportunity to support their own fencing clubs within the South Coast Town. With the financial support these two big organisations supply, the town now has three clubs set in four venues for children and two adult clubs. 'We may  have the best opportunites available in any town in the country per capita'  said Chief Coach, Kevin Reilly.

Each club operates as a seperate entity but all come together under a joint initiative called Portsmouth Fencing Clubs. This asociation of ideas and support enables the clubs to help each other and maintain contact. 'We recently had some problems with electrics at a competition and another club came to the rescue'
Membership of the various clubs in Portsmouth exceeds 150 people and all receive sponsorship and financial support in order to keep the cost of fencing to well below that of any other sport. Everyone of the 100 juniors will be getting together in July to receive various trophies and awards from their patron, The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth.

Parent helpers arevalued especially at these clubs and mot have recently embarked upon the Leon Paul Supervisors Course which was run in Portsmouth in May. The Adult club 'Portsmouth & Southsea' also run a leg of the popular Leon Paul Junior Series which is effectionatly known as the 'friendliest competition' by those who have participated before.

In explaining the strategy, former Coach of the Year, Kevin Reilly said 'It is very important to expell this stereotype that fencing is an elitist sport, with the help of a number of key organisations, suppliers and
community Sports Facilities, we have seen just how popular fencing can be when subsidised by such support. As a social worker, I do everything in my power to engage with people from all backgrouds, especially low income. Making fencing available to all is the key.

The clubs pay high regard to the social aspect of fencing too. A family fun day is planned for September and a weekend at an Adventure camp is planned for the winter. Portsmouth is also the home of the very successful 'Swordfencing Roadshow' which regularly attends events throughout the country promoting the sport.

For under £1.50, which can include borrowing kit, members can fence for a session at the clubs, enjoy the benefits of the sport and participate in the competition programmes, training schemes and social events, and that includes a free embroidred polo shirt. 'This is all thanks to the amazing support from within the business community and statutory agencies'

If any fencers are visiting the Maritime City of Portsmouth on holiday this year, be sure to visit one of the clubs whilst you are there, you can expect a very warm welcome. Alternatively, visit the forthcoming Swordfencing Exhibition soon to take place in the Central Library. Further information can be gained from the websites at portsmouthfencing.com  and swordfencingroadshow.com