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Club History

Founded in 2015, Bristol Blades Fencing Club was created to provide an environment that provides high-quality fencing coaching, and sparing opportunities, for all levels of fencers, of all ages.

Bristol Blades was founded by coaches Mike Cleary and Nat Lewis, with support from Glen Golding. Initially, the club was a junior (ages 7-15) foil club only, but over time has grown to offer more. A few of the ways in which the club has grown over time are listed below:

  • Expansion to include sabre
  • Merger with the old South West Centre of Excellence sparring night, run by Glen Golding, adding a senior section to the club
  • Addition of wheelchair fencing provision
  • Expansion to our second location & night, Bristol Blades North
  • Hosting various competitions, including:
    • Leon Paul Junior Series events in foil and sabre
    • Reviving the Bristol Open, a national senior ranking circuit competition
    • Creation of the Bristol School Competition
  • Engaging with various organisations in the Bristol Area to run community outreach projects, some of which include:
    • Running inclusive sessions for various organisations
    • Work with schools to provide taster sessions
    • Work with scouts groups to provide fencing experiences
  • Expanding the coaching team
  • Winning British Fencing’s Community Club of the Year award in 2020