2017 has proven to be another successful year for the members of the Burnside High Fencing Club. 

We had a number of new members to the club, alongside more experienced members who entered the various National and Regional Competitions for epee, sabre, foil and mixed. 

We have been lucky enough to have the services of coach Connor Foley-Walker from the Institute again this year and we would like to also acknowledge and thank Ms Leasa Ogilvie from the Institute for the superb guidance and assistance. Our wonderful and capable Co-Captains, Charlotte James and Jonty Coulson have also acted as Assistant Coaches along with Dylan Thomas and Julia Harrison.

Co-Captains for 2018 will be Charlotte and Jonty and our thanks to them for their continued support and dedication to the sport.

Charlotte James has successfully competed in a number of regional, national and international events this year. She was placed First in the Open Women’s Foil in July for the Mid South Competition and in August for the Mid-South Secondary School Championships, Second place. In September Charlotte competed in the U23 Epee and South Island Championship where she was placed First in the U23 Women’s Epee and Third Equal in the Senior Women’s Foil. Charlotte also competed at the Oceania and National Championships in October.

Much interest from the club saw a number of entries for the Mid-South Secondary Schools Fencing Tournament in July and August both in individual and team competitions. Dylan Thomson gained a Second place in the Open Men’s Foil in July and in the Under 15 Men’s Foil younger members Jacob Stark achieved First and Lachlan Row, Second. Other members were placed and these included Molly McGinn, Sean Hegarty, Patrick Kinney and Nick Peters. Nick also gained Second place in the Open Mixed Epee. In August, the Burnside Epee Team of Nick Peters, Charlotte James and Dylan Thomson gained a Second place for the Mid-South Secondary School Championships.