Three proposals were received to stand for election to the Board. As there are three vacancies no ballot is required. Sam McLellan and Moya Nelson will succeed Sheila Anderson and Adam Szymoszowskyj as Elected Directors, on 24 February and Paul Vaughan will continue to serve for a second term four-year term.
Hugh Kernohan, Electoral Officer
Proposals for election as a Director have been received from Sam McLellan (proposal form), Moya Nelson (proposal form) and Paul Vaughan (proposal form ),
Further proposals must be made before 1800 on Friday 3 February and will be published here once validated.
Proposals for election as a Director have been received from Sam McLellan (proposal form) and Moya Nelson (proposal form).
Further proposals must be made before 1800 on Friday 3 February and will be published here once validated.
Scottish Fencing is seeking nominations for three Elected Director posts, to serve on the Board for four-year terms from March 2023.
The terms of office of Sheila Anderson, Paul Vaughan and Adam Szymoszowskyj come to an end on 23 February 2023. Sheila has completed a second four-year term as a Director and cannot stand for a third consecutive term. Adam has indicated that he will not be standing again. Paul Vaughan does intend to seek re-election.
If you want to help lead Scottish Fencing and you have the time to commit please return a completed Proposal Form by 1800 Friday 3 February 2023. Nominees must be current members of Scottish Fencing.
Click here for the Proposal Form.
Submitted Proposal Forms will be published on the Scottish Fencing website as soon as they are validated. An election will be held if more than three valid nominations are received by the deadline of 1800 Friday 3 February 2023.
The Board’s role is to provide strategic leadership for fencing in Scotland, to oversee the activities of Scottish Fencing's staff and volunteers, to maintain its ethical standards and legal obligations, and to safeguard the mental and physical well-being of everyone fencing here.
If you would like to find out more you can speak to Scottish Fencing’s COO, Clare Queen or any of the current Board – email clare.queen@scottish-fencing.com to arrange a call back. You can read a description of the directors’ roles here.
You can find Scottish Fencing’s Articles of Association, Bye-Laws and other key documents about the Board's work here https://www.scottish-fencing.com/meeting-minutes-strategies.
As part of our commitment to being an equality driven organisation, we strive to provide equality of opportunity for members, volunteers and staff and we will promote a work culture that values diversity.
If you have a disability or have any difficulty in completing the application process please reach out via email to admin@scottish-fencing.com or telephone on 07803207349.
Hugh Kernohan
Electoral Officer (elections@scottish-fencing.com)
Congratulations to all our 2022 Award Winners. Stan Stoodley, President of Scottish Fencing, at the 2022 AGM added that it was very hard to single anyone out as there were so many fantastic performances and improvements made this year. Scottish Fencing will make the award presentations in the coming weeks. Check our social media channels to see the presentations.
Our 2022 winners are:
Crosnier Coaching Award
Phil Carson
Phil’s Nomination
His record this last year speaks for itself. He had:
· 21 members in Commonwealth teams
· 9 members in British teams
· gold medallist in u12 British championship
· British members in the cadets juniors senior and veteran teams
And he kept coaching online during the lockdown and beyond.
picture by d bryden
“I’d like to thank Stephen Rennie for nominating me for this award in what has been a challenging but rewarding year. We have an amazing coach community in Scotland and I’m delighted to accept the award on behalf of all our coaches at Salle Ossian and across the coaching community who work tirelessly to give people the opportunity to participate in our amazing sport"
Crosnier Quaich – Performance
Callum Penman
Callum’s Nomination
Callum Penman for his continued stellar attitude, sportsmanship, and hard work. His achievements this year have been outstanding. Domestically he is the current Men’s Foil Scottish Open Champion. Internationally he won multiple medals including: 2022 commonwealth silver senior team, silver junior individual, and gold cadet team events. On the European circuit he won the Cadet event in Manchester and team Silver at the European Championships. Most recently he was selected to compete in his first Senior World Cup in Bonn, making it out of the pools and placing 149th. Peter Pan has nothing on this guy!
“
“I would like to thank Scottish fencing very much for this award and I’m very happy to receive it. Also would like to thank Paul Stanbridge for nominating me and would really like to show my appreciation to my coach Keith Cook who’s been coaching me since I was 6 years old and who’s helped me get to where I am today. Lastly I would like express my gratitude to Salle Holyrood for being the sort of club that encourages me and other fencers to reach their full potential.”
Sword of Merit
Sean Walton
Sean’s Nomination:
Sean has been a stalwart of Scottish Fencing for at least 40 years, as fencer, team member, coach to a variety of high achieving fencers, selector and founding member of Salle Holyrood.
In recent years he has been recognised by BF for his innovative work on the Fencing podcast and is well known from commentating on fencing competitions worldwide, with his own personal style. It has been an impressive contribution.
It has culminated this year, in his creation of the Commonwealth Experience Video. As I look at how we will celebrate 100 years of SF next year, the video offers me a personal memory of this years’ Commonwealth competition and SF a historical record. Thank you
“Delighted to win this award. Like an early Christmas present but much bigger and more difficult to wrap.”
Applications are now open for the 2023 Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad!
What is the Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad?
The Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad brings together the most committed young fencers from across Scotland to practice together regularly through the 2023 season, as well as providing in-person and online educational opportunities for the athletes and their parents.
The squad provides fencers the opportunity for fencers to come together with other like minded fencers to learn and try new things in a safe environment. There is no selection criteria, all that is required is a commitment and motivation to improve.
What is the purpose of the Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad?
We support the fantastic work being done by fencing coaches and clubs across Scotland, by providing additional practice opportunities for the most committed young fencers.
The focus of the Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad is on fun, learning through games / play, developing curiosity, and connecting with others. We believe this focus is vital to fostering a long-term, positive engagement with our sport. The programme will include in-person support from the True Athlete Project and Strength & Conditioning input from S&C Coach, Gil Stevenson. There will be some additional parent support running alongside the programme.
Who is the Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad for?
For U15 athletes (born in 2008 and after) who are committed to the sport and want to be competitive fencers.
Age categories:
Under-15: born 2008-09
Under-13: born 2010-11
Under-11: born 2012 and after
Reasons to join the Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad
Additional opportunities to practice fencing, with other like-minded and committed athletes.
Build on the great work already being done with your coach within your club.
Improve your understanding of how best to prepare for the challenges of competition.
Get to know and make new friends with other fencers from all around Scotland.
Training Information
8 Sessions - 5 x in-person training days and 3 x online sessions.
Dates
29th January - Salle Ossian FC
19th February - Forth Valley FC
19th March - Salle Ossian FC
2nd April - Forth Valley FC
16th April - Venue TBC
In-person training days will be 10am - 3pm (approx)
Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad Staff
Team Manager & Welfare Officer – Liz Anderson
Lead Weapon Coach (Epee) – Rob Blackburne
Lead Weapon Coach (Foil) – Stan Stoodley
Lead Weapon Coach (Sabre) – Naomi Farmer
COO/Head of Pathways – Clare Queen
Cost
£150 for the 2023 Pathways season.
Payment Methods:
a) In full on sign up to squad, or
b) Monthly payment plan agreed with SF.
SIGN UP FOR THE 2023 SCOTTISH FENCING PATHWAYS SQUAD
To sign up for the Pathways Squad 2023 please click here.
We have maximum 30 spaces available on the programme.
Registration closes at midnight on Sunday 8th January.
If you have any questions, contact Clare Queen, COO/Head of Pathways clare.queen@scottish-fencing.com
The Scottish Fencing 2022 Annual General Meeting will take place on 7 December at 17.30 via Zoom
You can register your attendance or apologies here
The agenda and links to the papers are below. There is still time to vote for the Award Nominees, this is link for voting and this is the link to read the full list of nominees.
We look forward to seeing you next week.
Annual General Meeting of Scottish Fencing Ltd
To be held via Zoom
1730 on 7 December 2022
Agenda
1. Welcome
3. Presentation of accounts for period 01/04/2021 – 31/03/2022 followed by general questions on accounts.
4. Approval of appointment of Colleen Walker as Finance Director.
5. Report on Scottish Fencing activity 2021-2022.
6. Any other business.
7. Presentation of Awards.
There will be three vacancies for Elected Directors on the Scottish Fencing Board next year when the current incumbents’ terms of office end on 23 February. All members are asked to think whether they are interested in joining the Board to help run Scottish Fencing. Anyone who would like to find out more about the roles or the nature of the commitment can speak to any of the current Directors or to the COO: e-mail clare.queen@scottish-fencing to arrange a call back.
Sheila Anderson will complete her second four-year term as a Director and cannot stand for a third consecutive term. Adam Szymoszowskyj has indicated that he will not be standing again. Paul Vaughan does intend to seek re-election.
Sheila’s specialist expertise in HR and employment issues will be a sad loss to the Board and Adam brought valuable experience in sports development from his work with Scottish Basketball but the main qualifications for new directors are a willingness to be be engaged in the Board’s work and a commitment to the success of Scottish Fencing. A wide variety of skills and knowledge can contribute but in addition to HR, any of event organisation, fund-raising and commercial experience would be very welcome.
A formal call for nominations will be issued after the AGM with a deadline for nominations in late January. If more than three valid nominations are received an election of the membership will be held with online voting as we did in 2019 and 2021.
The Board’s role is to provide strategic leadership for fencing in Scotland, to oversee the activities of Scottish Fencing's staff and volunteers, to maintain its ethical standards and legal obligations, and to safeguard the mental and physical well-being of everyone fencing here. There is a role description for directors here, and you can find Scottish Fencing’s Articles of Association, Bye-Laws and other key documents about the Board's work at https://www.scottish-fencing.com/meeting-minutes-strategies.
Every year Scottish Fencing presents three awards:
· The Crosnier Quaich for Performance,
· The Crosnier Coaching Award, and
· The Sword of Merit.
As part of Scottish Fencing’s new tradition of opening up the awards to public nominations and vote the Scottish Fencing members will decide the winners for the Crosnier Quaich Performance Award and the Crosnier Coaching award. The Board of Scottish Fencing will decide the winner of the Sword of Merit Award.
We will announce all the winners at the Scottish Fencing AGM.
You can read about the nominations below and use this link to vote for the award nominees.
Please note there is one vote per member and only votes that have a valid membership number will be counted.
Voting closes at noon on 5 December.
Crosnier Quaich – Performance Award
Below are the nominees for this year in the words given to us by those putting them forward:
1. Hugh Kernohan
“Hugh has repeatedly won gold at the veteran age groups and was top to be selected this year. Qualifying for the vets at the world championships again he has improved his result every time he has competed; achieving individual Bronze this year. This year he also helped the team to win silver.
As a veteran he was in the Scottish squad in the home nations. These are just a few of his results.”
2 Callum Penman
“Callum Penman for his continued stellar attitude, sportsmanship, and hard work. His achievements this year have been outstanding. Domestically he is the current Men’s Foil Scottish Open Champion. Internationally he won multiple medals including: 2022 commonwealth silver senior team, silver junior individual, and gold cadet team events. On the European circuit he won the Cadet event in Manchester and team Silver at the European Championships. Most recently he was selected to compete in his first Senior World Cup in Bonn, making it out of the pools and placing 149th. Peter Pan has nothing on this guy!”
3 Georgina Usher
“Georgina has had an exceptional year of achievement within the senior and veteran circuit, and I think would be a worthy winner of this award. To be achieving at senior and veteran in the 50-59 category is a major achievement.
Achievements in the last 12 months include:
Seniors – 3rd in the British nationals, 1st Scottish Open, 5th in the Milner Barry, and 1st Welsh Open
Veterans – 1st British Veterans Championship 21/22, Gold at the Commonwealth Championships, individual and team, winner of the 50-59 age medal, London 2022, individual Bronze and team Silver at the World Championships in Zadar 2022. “
Crosnier Coaching Award
This award recognises the hard work our coaches do in our clubs developing the sport and bringing the fencing community together. Coaches need to be on the British Fencing Coaches register or retired to be eligible. As there is only one nominee this year there is no public vote . Our nominee for this year is:
1 Phil Carson
“His record this last year speaks for itself. He had:
· 21 members in Commonwealth teams
· 9 members in British teams
· gold medallist in u12 British championship
· British members in the cadets juniors senior and veteran teams
And he kept coaching online during the lockdown and beyond.”
Sword Of Merit
This award is nominated by the Scottish Fencing community and the winner decided by the Scottish Fencing Board. Our nominee for this year is:
1 Sean Walton
“Sean has been a stalwart of Scottish Fencing for at least 40 years, as fencer, team member, coach to a variety of high achieving fencers, selector and founding member of Salle Holyrood.
In recent years he has been recognised by British Fencing for his innovative work on the Fencing podcast and is well known from commentating on fencing competitions worldwide, with his own personal style. It has been an impressive contribution.
It has culminated this year, in his creation of the Commonwealth Experience Video. As I look at how we will celebrate 100 years of Scottish Fencing next year, the video offers me a personal memory of this years’ Commonwealth competition and Scottish Fencing a historical record. Thank you.”
Applications are now open for the 2023 Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad!
What is the Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad?
The Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad brings together the most committed young fencers from across Scotland to practice together regularly through the 2023 season, as well as providing in-person and online educational opportunities for the athletes and their parents.
The squad provides fencers the opportunity for fencers to come together with other like minded fencers to learn and try new things in a safe environment. There is no selection criteria, all that is required is a commitment and motivation to improve.
What is the purpose of the Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad?
We support the fantastic work being done by fencing coaches and clubs across Scotland, by providing additional practice opportunities for the most committed young fencers.
The focus of the Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad is on fun, learning through games / play, developing curiosity, and connecting with others. We believe this focus is vital to fostering a long-term, positive engagement with our sport. The programme will include in-person support from the True Athlete Project and Strength & Conditioning advice. There will be some additional parent support running alongside the programme.
Who is the Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad for?
For U15 athletes (born in 2008 and after) who are committed to the sport and want to be competitive fencers.
Age categories:
Under-15: born 2008-09
Under-13: born 2010-11
Under-11: born 2012 and after
Reasons to join the Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad
Additional opportunities to practice fencing, with other like-minded and committed athletes.
Build on the great work already being done with your coach within your club.
Improve your understanding of how best to prepare for the challenges of competition.
Get to know and make new friends with other fencers from all around Scotland.
Training Information
8 Sessions - 5 x in-person training days and 3 x online sessions.
Dates
8th January
22nd January
19th February
19th March
2nd or 16th April TBC
In-person training days will be 10am - 3pm (approx)
We will confirm venues asap.
Scottish Fencing Pathways Squad Staff
Team Manager & Welfare Officer – Liz Anderson
Lead Weapon Coach (Epee) – Rob Blackburne
Lead Weapon Coach (Foil) – Stan Stoodley
Lead Weapon Coach (Sabre) – Naomi Farmer
COO/Head of Pathways – Clare Queen
Cost
£150 for the 2023 Pathways season.
Payment Methods:
a) In full on sign up to squad, or
b) Monthly payment plan agreed with SF.
Information Evening
We are running two free, online Information Evenings to give an overview of the programme content and answer any questions or queries you may have regarding the Pathways programme.
Thursday 24th November – 7.00-8.00pm
and
Tuesday 29th November – 6.00-7.00pm
To register, please click here
SIGN UP FOR THE 2023 SCOTTISH FENCING PATHWAYS SQUAD
To sign up for the Pathways Squad 2023 please click here.
We have maximum 30 spaces available on the programme.
If you have any questions, contact Clare Queen, COO/Head of Pathways clare.queen@scottish-fencing.com
SPONSORS of Scottish Fencing