John Croxon has considerable experience of coaching the blind and has developed an experimental foil (known in the club as the ‘Gizmo’) which has an ultrasonic sensor device fitted which gives a signal to the blind fencer when their opponent is within range.

Four people took part in the session, three of which had significant visual impairment and one who was completely blind. Also present but not participating other than in an inspirational sense, was Steve Fyffe. Steve although blind from birth has become a 4th Dan Black belt in Ai-ki-do and has achieved grade 4 in foil and 1in sabre fencing

The principle of using tactile senses to the maximum began from the outset with the introduction to the weapons and masks by the participants handling each item in turn.
The group then learnt how to undertake basic footwork keeping their feet on the raised markings so as to step forward and backwards to maintain the correct distance from their opponent. From this they then moved on to learning when to hit by extending the arm or to lunge in response to different positions of blade contact initially with the aid of the coach, then whilst working in pairs.

The participants soon gained in confidence, so the lesson moved on to the more technically challenging parry and riposte with equal success.

The session, which lasted for approximately 2 hours, culminated in the use of electric scoring equipment and a ‘round robin’ series of bouts. Upon completion of the event each of the participants was awarded a British Blind Sport certificate of attendance presented by John and Steve Snelling from B.S.B. (These were available in written and Braille format).

The session achieved its goal in demonstrating that fencing is not beyond the ability of the severely visually impaired or blind. Feed back from BBS has been positive with an indication that they would seek to build on this session for future activities of this nature.

The development of the ‘Gizmo’ has led John to establish a number of useful contacts with people working with blind fencers, one in Boston, U.S.A. referred him to the Carroll Centre where fencing was originally implemented as a part of a therapeutic programme for the blinded veterans of WW11 and continues to offer this approach. Another link was established with the Des Moines Fencing Club in Iowa, U.S.A. where a blind fencer was being coached in the use of the epee. Others have been developed with associations in France where each year there is a championship organised by the French Sports Federation for the “handicapped” on the cote d’azur at Frejus where wheelchair users, the visually impaired and blind meet to participate in adapted sports, including fencing. Additionally, John has a well-established link for general sports activities in Belgium. .

Whilst the main emphasis of John’s coaching has been with the blind/visually impaired, he has with the support of Norwich City Council, explored the possibility of providing ‘Come and Try’ wheelchair fencing and has tried to stimulate an interest locally amongst clubs and associations to which wheelchair users belong, but this has not led to any significant interest at this stage.

John continues to liaise with other interested parties, especially the British Disabled Fencing Association and British Paraplegic Fencing Association and is particularly grateful for the support and encouragement offered by Caz Walton, M.B.E., Project Officer for ‘Paralympic G.B.’. Caz is a paralympic gold medal winner (10 in total, 2 for fencing, being the last G.B. fencer to win Gold, in1988 in Seoul) and although not competing now she has continued an active involvement in the sport through the management of the wheelchair fencing team.