About Us

Welcome to the Sport of Fencing

Fencing has its origins as far back as 2000BC in Upper Egypt to the present day sport which has been included in every modern Olympic Games since the first in 1896.
Our goal is to introduce you to a sport which has evolved through the centuries passing through the era of chivalry to the very exciting and athletic sport of today. It can be as physically demanding as any high speed sport yet psychologically subtle as you test, tease and lure your opponent into a situation you can control.

The ECU Cavalier School of Fencing

The ECU Cavalier School of Fencing is Western Australia's largest and oldest established Fencing Club.
From a humble beginning in the Young Australia League building in Perth in 1955 the Club has progressed through many venues up until its present home and is still run solely by the members on a volunteer basis
The Club teaches a modern style of fencing in line with national and international practices.
Our Club aims to promote high standards of fencing following national standards of safety.
Whether you wish to enjoy the security of social fencing or whether you feel that competitive fencing is the way for you, you will feel comfortable within the friendly atmosphere of our Club.
The ECU Cavalier School of Fencing is affiliated to the Western Australian Fencing Association (Fencing WA). This allows our fencers to access state and interstate tournaments and to take advantage of the experience and tuition from visiting overseas coaches.

Our History

Our history from 1955 to 2015 has been detailed in a booklet that was presented at the 60th Anniversary Ball and is available from the club secretary for viewing.

The 2016 Committee

Executive
President - Sven Hein
Vice-President - Llewlyn Foley
Secretary - Kathy Ruffo
Registrar - Sarah Meredith
Treasurer - Vacant
Coaching Coordinator - Malcolm Davies
WAFA Representatives - Seymour Wolfinger

Committee
Assistant Secretary - Position Vacant
Armourer - Perry Ruffo
Tournament Officer - Malcolm Davies
Equipment Officer -  Drew Foley
Social Secretary - Llewlyn Foley and Dylan Devenish
Librarian - Llewlyn Foley
Bladez Coordinators -
ECU Guild Representative - Position Vacant
Promotions Officer - Position Vacant
Webmasters - Andrew Kwan
ECU Liason - Position Vacant

Safety

The sport is regulated in such a way that the level of safety to which fencers are exposed compares well to other sports. Your affiliation to Fencing WA includes an insurance cover. At ECU Cavalier School of Fencing we cater for both male and female members ranging in age from 9 to 80+.

Fencing Instruction

BLADEZ

Age Group: 9 - 12 years old
This group provides a short session of solid skills interspersed with fun.

BEGINNERS

Age Group: 13 years and over
Beginners will start their fencing with a well-structured seven-week course which will be included in the Club membership.
An enthusiastic team of voluntary club coaches will lead the group through the vital basic concepts and introduce you to the three weapons. Comprehensive course notes will be included in the cost.

TRANSITION COURSES

After you have completed a Beginner’s Course we don’t simply throw you in at the deep end and expect you to know everything. For each weapon there is a Transition Course that will give you greater depth of information and skill to assist you to start the journey that is learning to fence.

These courses are included in your membership fees and, unlike the Beginner’s Course, they only run for part of each training session so you will still get to train and socialise with the rest of the club.

If you complete a Transition Course for one weapon we still recommended that you complete the Transition Course for any other weapons you want to learn at a later stage. Transition courses will commence at the end of each Beginner’s Course so you will never have to wait too long to try your next weapon.

CLUB

Age Group: Open
Experienced visiting coaches will join the club team to take the weapon-specific skills groups for our club sessions. Many fencers at ECU Cavalier School of Fencing participate at a national level of competition.

DEVELOPMENT/COMPETITION

The development/competition session is available to Cavaliers members only, and is focussed on fitness and fencing skills of members who want to take on the serious competitive side fencing.  Anyone can join in this session but be aware this is not for the faint hearted. The coaches that run this session expect you to be dedicated to your training and you  need to demonstrate the standards set down my the coaches.

COACHES

All club coaches have a minimum qualification of Level One (National Accreditation) or working towards their level one. The club encourages young coaches by supporting ongoing qualification updates. Most of our club coaches are volunteers that have state and national level competition experience. We also have coaches with international qualifications and competition experience

Learn more about our coaches

REFEREES

Cavalier's has a number of members qualified at state and national level as referee's. If you are interested in becoming a referee please talk to one of the coaches or committee members.

Costs

See the FAQ for full details on membership costs and equipment hire.

Clothing and Equipment

Available from interstate and overseas suppliers.
Occasional second-hand available.

Session Times

See the FAQ for full details on session times.

Venue

Edith Cowan University
Mt Lawley Sport and Fitness Centre, Building 21
ECU Mt Lawley Campus
Perth, Western Australia


^^^click to enlarge

The venue boasts a non-slip high-tech floor surface, excellent lighting, a fitness centre, change room facilities and an undercover car park. If you want to find out more about what is offered by the Mt Lawley Sport and Fitness Centre, visit http://www.ecu.edu.au/fas/sport/
The fitness centre's normal closing time on the weekend is 2pm. The front doors will close at this time. By special arrangement, fencers have access to the sports hall via the lift in the undercover car park.

Postal Address
The Secretary
ECU Cavalier School of Fencing
PO Box 815
Mount Lawley WA 6929


Cav's Coaches

Sven Hein (Foil Coach)
I was born and raised in Germany and moved to Australia in the year 2000.

I have been fencing since I could walk, I really didn’t have a choice, my father was on the German foil team in the 1970’s and 1980’s and later was the coach of the German national women foil team and of course he also was my coach.

During my active fencing days I won a couple of individual and team German championships as a cadet and in the Under 20’s. I also placed 6th in the Cadet World Championship in Foggia (ITA), second in the Under 20’s European championship in Estoril (POR), placed second at the Under 20’s World Cup in London (ENG), placed 2nd at the Australian Open Championship in Perth and placed 3rd in the Australian Open DH McKenzie in Perth just to name a few.

I took a break from fencing during my early 20’s and started again once I moved to Australia.

I have been a Level 1 Foil coach at ECU Cavalier School of Fencing since 2010 where I run the main group session, the foil skill sessions as well as giving private one on one lessons.

 

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