Building on the inaugural season of the European Fencing Confederation’s (EFC) Solidarity Programme, which kicked off last year with a foil coaching course in Rome, the second season brought an exciting continuation to this initiative. This year, the EFC collaborated with Fencing Ireland to host a second foil course in Nenagh, Ireland, approximately 150 kilometers from Dublin. Designed to deepen the coaching knowledge and techniques across Europe, the course once again showcased the power of unity in diversity.
An International Cohort and Expert Guidance
This four-day course, led by esteemed Italian coaches Ugo Galli and Andrea Baldini, gathered a group of 15 student coaches from across Europe, including nine coaches representing Belgium, Czechia, Cyprus, Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, and Sweden, along with six coaches from Ireland. This diverse cohort underscores the program’s mission to foster collaboration and excellence in fencing through a multinational exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices.
Training and Practical Application
Structured around both theory and practical coaching exercises, the course provided the student coaches with a comprehensive approach to foil training. On Friday evening, a unique opportunity arose for the student coaches to put their learning into action by working directly with young athletes at Munster Blades, a local club in Nenagh. This hands-on experience allowed the coaches to refine their skills in real-world scenarios while engaging with Ireland’s upcoming generation of fencers.
Diplomas, Irish Culture, and Celebrations
The culmination of the course took place on Saturday with an official diploma presentation ceremony. EFC Treasurer Nuala McGarrity, representing the newly elected EFC President Pascal Tesch spoke and certificates, marking the successful completion of the training were presented by the 2 Italian masters Following the ceremony, the participants were invited to an evening of traditional Irish entertainment hosted by Fencing Ireland. This festive event brought a cultural dimension to the experience, allowing attendees to enjoy Ireland’s famed hospitality while strengthening the bonds formed over the course.
Continuing the EFC’s Commitment to Development and Unity
This course in Nenagh is another milestone in the EFC’s Solidarity Programme, an initiative dedicated to fostering development in fencing through accessible and high-quality coaching resources. By gathering coaches from both prominent and emerging fencing nations, the program continues to provide invaluable resources, shaping the future of fencing through shared experience and technical growth. As these coaches return to their respective countries, they carry not only enhanced skills but also the spirit of unity, collaboration, and friendship that defines the European fencing community.
Statement from the President of the Irish Fencing Federation
Ursula Kappus, President of the Irish Fencing Federation, expressed her appreciation for the event: “Fencing Ireland is delighted to have hosted the recent Foil Coaching Course as part of the European Fencing Confederation’s Solidarity Programme. In times of division and uncertainty, this course has served as a reminder of the enduring strength that comes from unity, collaboration, and friendship. Our sport has always been about more than competition—it is about mutual respect, learning, and the exchange of ideas across borders.”
She emphasized the gratitude of Fencing Ireland to the Italian Fencing Federation for generously providing the master coaches, Ugo Galli and Andrea Baldini, and expressed sincere thanks to the European Fencing Confederation for their continued support. “This initiative has embodied the very essence of what it means to be part of the European fencing community. By working together, we not only advance our technical skills but strengthen the bonds that tie us as a collective. We look forward to continued collaboration and growth, united by a shared passion for excellence in fencing,”Kappus concluded.
