Welcome to the Fencing Club!
*Now updated for the 2026/27 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 each weapon, starting with épée, then foil, then sabre. At the end of each three-week block, we run a mini beginner’s competition in that weapon so you can see how much you’ve improved! Upon completion of the course, our beginners have the chance to compete in the annual beginner’s competition, hosted usually around January/February time. 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 Mondays 17:30-19:30 and Fridays 19:30-21:30, held on courts 5, 6 and nets in the far hall of Talybont Sports Centre (when you enter the reception, follow the left corridor all the way through, past the gym).
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.
Kit Loan:
Don't have your own kit? That's ok! We offer a kit loan of the core jacket, plastron, and breeches, 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 two teams (Mixed 1st and Women's 1st) is an opportunity to compete in a friendly and constructive environment. Both 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 (March/April - we’re hosting this year!) 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 just the team competitions)
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 the 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 beginner's course has ended - this is done on a rotation with other premium membership holders.
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 [email protected]. Any and all questions/queries welcome!
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