|
Francesca's account of how she
discovered fencing
I first came across fencing in the form of my
Dad's rusted up foil I found when I was ten. He used to fence
before I was born, and because my Dad was similar to me in many
ways I always had an idea I'd fence too one day. In between emailing
old friends and arranging to meet up after years of neglect, I
found out about Norfolk Fencing Club's course at the UEA and I
booked my place then and there.
But much as I liked the idea of fencing……I secretly
hate sport. I'm not a team player and games lessons were a nightmare
because I spent the entire time feeling vaguely ashamed. I felt
(or teachers made me feel) I was letting everyone else down because
I was clumsy and weedy. And that made me stop trying altogether,
because it's one thing being rubbish, but another trying your
best …..and still being rubbish. The only sport that appealed
at school was cross-country running because I got to be on my
own, run away and have a smoke. So I was quite nervous going to
the Sportspark the first time: all those sporty people wearing
the right clothes, when I just had a battered old pair of Converse
and some borrowed tracksuit bottoms. But I needn't have been;
no one raised their eyebrows. The fencing course was paced just
right and was exactly the right length and the coaches didn't
make me feel like an idiot, despite my continued efforts.
Fencing isn't quite like other sports. You don't
have to be incredibly fit to be good, (although it probably helps)
because it's so much more than a purely physical thing. You need
the right attitude and to think quickly, and it can be quite tactical.
Your play also changes depending on who you are fencing, so the
variations in how you fence are limitless which makes it very
compelling. Also you might play as part of a team in competitions,
but essentially you play for yourself, so whether or not you're
playing well or badly only affects one person. It doesn't rely
on having great stamina because you tend to play in short bursts,
and if you're an ex-smoker like me, those handy breathing breaks
are essential.
Although I did the course two years ago now, I've
missed lots of lessons (it's an hour's drive and work often clashes)
but I don't see myself ever stopping, not just because I've bought
some trainers now, and got the basic kit, nor because I love fencing
and know there's always something to learn. It's also because
the coaches are never less than encouraging and there is a genuine
atmosphere in the club that we are all trying to be the best fencers
we can, and help each other get there. Without intending to, I've
become part of a team after all.
Tracy's story - Tracy joined our club in
2010. She describes the sport of fencing as 'exhilarating, uplifting
and addictive'.
Click here
to read how Tracy took her first steps towards joining our club.
|
