Welcome to the Fencing Club!
*Now updated for the 25/26 year*
About Us:
The Cardiff University Fencing Club caters for all abilities, from complete beginners to Olympic hopefuls; and we have a wide range of members that partake in recreational and competitive fencing.
For beginners, we offer a nine-week training course with our coaches in the first semester, dedicating three weeks to gain a solid foindation in each weapon. Upon completion of the course, our beginners have the chance to compete in the annual beginner’s competition. After Christmas, you will be able to train on the electric score boxes and be fully integrated with the rest of the club. No equipment is required for this course!
Training Times:
Our main training court bookings are Monday 17:30-19:30 and Friday 19:30-21:30, held on courts 5 and 6 in the far hall of Talybont Sports Centre (down the corridor to the left as you enter the reception, right at the end of the hall).
Both sessions are open to all beginners, intermediates & experienced fencers alike and are usually followed by a friendly social! Fencers are advised to wear trainers and bring water. Please wear long trousers or bring long socks, as this is in line with the British Fencing Association safety regulations.
In addition to our Monday and Friday sessions, we’ll also be running informal Strength & Conditioning on Saturdays from 4 October, 15:00–16:00 at Y Stwdio (first floor of the Students’ Union). We’ll share more details during training, but feel free to message us on Instagram or email if you have any questions.
Kit Loan:
Don't have your own kit? That's ok! We offer a kit loan of the core jacket, plastron, and glove, so you can avoid sharing sweaty kit with other members! This allows you to get fencing quicker at the start of sessions, and take the kit home to wash it yourself. When taking out the kit loan you will be given more detailed instructions of how to look after it. Please do not tumble dry fencing kit!
Competitive Teams
Joining one of our three teams (Men's 1st, Men's 2nd and Women's 1st) is an opportunity to compete in a friendly and constructive environment. All three of our teams compete in the Western 1A division (one division below the premiership) of British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS). BUCS matches will begin as usual in October.
Players with national or international experience may be supported by Cardiff University's High Performance Programme.
Competitions
There are a range of competitions for all levels throughout the year, often available to all members. These include:
- Local competitions such as the Welsh Universities Championships (March/April) and the Cardiff Open Championships (May/June).
- National competitions e.g. Welsh Open (November) & Welsh Closed (February).
- Road trips to competitions further afield including the BUCS Individuals (February) and BUCS Regionals (February)
- Friendly competitions within the club run throughout the year
All BUCS competitors are required by BUCS to have a BFA membership ("Compete" level for BUCS Individuals, "Starter"/"Recreational" for only team competition)
Socials & Club Events
We usually run a range of socials that are open to all including club nights, ice skating, fancy dress events, escape rooms, badminton and more! Additionally, we aim to hold two formal events a year: one before Christmas, and one at the end of the year.
Memberships
Our Standard Membership includes access to all Uni training sessions throughout the year, access to electric weapons, and pistes and opportunity to access competitions.
Our Premium Membership includes all the above of standard, as well as additional 1 on 1 training with one of our coaches during warm-up at the start of sessions once the GIAG’s have ended - this is done on a rotor with other premium membership holders.
Our One Semester Membership includes all the perks and benefits of our standard membership but is only for a semester. Perfect for Erasmus Students and busy Masters/PHD Students!
If you're not a student at Cardiff University, you'll be able to purchase the associate membership however you will not be able to compete in the University BUCS teams.
Refunds are only available if you have made no use of your membership (i.e. not having attended training at the University, having competed or attended socials).
Contact Us
Find us primarily on Instagram. You can also email us at fencing@cardiff.ac.uk. Any and all questions/queries welcome!
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