Fencers test their mettle at Royal Navy Fencing Championships

Regular and Reserve Sailors and Marines engaged each other in sword-based combat at HMS Temeraire over the weekend. Over thirteen fencers took to the piste in Sabre, Foil and Épée to test their mettle.

Regular and Reserve Sailors and Marines engaged each other in sword-based combat at HMS Temeraire over the weekend. Over 13 fencers took to the piste in Sabre, Foil and Épée to test their mettle.

The Friday started with grassroots coaching, with the Royal Navy’s go-to musketeer-resembling coach Maciej getting the novices to duel-ready warriors. Learning initially with the foil, they learned the fundamentals that enabled them to compete over the coming days.

This was the first time that a dedicated grassroots coaching session has been planned into the competition, taking inspiration from other Royal Navy sporting associations. The training was an unparalleled success, with three of the four newcomers to the sport medalling across the weekend.

Lt Cdr Rubin Nash held his nerve to defeat a resurgent Lt James Firth in a back-and forth and very hotly fought men’s sabre final (15-12), while Lt William Hill beat James to the winning point, securing the foil 15-14. 

Maj Will Hale RM struck with energy and precision to retain his Épée title, defeating Will Hill in the final; nonetheless with a gold, silver and bronze, Hill was crowned the Men’s Champion at Arms this year.

AET Grace Brown dominated the women’s weapons taking strong victories in both sabre and foil on the Saturday; while on the Sunday she fought off a terrific comeback from Cdr Sacha Brooks in the epée, crowning herself as this year’s Women’s Champion at Arms. 

“This year’s Royal Navy Champs was a great opportunity to fence new people, and we saw some of our new joiners show their natural talent.” said AET Brown. “I feel really lucky to win across the board, but it wasn’t easy and I was given a run for my money!”

The two champions at Arms will now represent the Royal Navy against the Army and Royal Air Force equivalents across all three weapons in the UKAF Fencing Championships in July and August, with the goal of becoming the Master at Arms.

No full team could be fielded from a single unit this year, due to the disparate locations and short numbers. The amalgamated team “His Majesty’s Naval Bases” comprised of Lt Hill, AET Brown and AB(CT) Kay who took the Palmer Trophy, knocking out the Maritime Reserves contingent and the unaligned “ROGUE 1” team.

Lt Cdr Nash, the Royal Navy Fencing Association Chair said “I’m thrilled that this year we had so many new female fencers in the mix, and that all the newcomers competed across the entire weekend in all three weapons. The future of the sport is in good hands, but we are always looking for more fencers espousing the best traditions of the service – discipline, controlled aggression and camaraderie.” 

Although somewhat foiled by (an albeit very successful) Army Navy Rugby event and national train strike that conflicted with the championships, the atmosphere generated was hugely positive. Unable to run a women’s Championships last year, 2023 has been a resounding success and achieved equal representation.

“I have been delighted by the representation at this year’s Royal Navy Fencing Championships” said Royal Navy Fencing President Captain Mark Anderson “Not just by the quality of fencing and standard of the overall competition, but also the enthusiasm which grassroots sports has been promoted and embraced by the fencers from across the Naval establishment.”

Commenting on the future of Royal Navy fencing, the Association secretary, Lt Hill said “The committee from the Royal Navy Amateur Fencing Association have worked hard to innovate the approach to RN Fencing Champs, and with a steady flow of men and women’s fencing talent we’re really optimistic about the future. We’re on the lookout for new members who want to have a go; it's free to join and equipment and coaching is provided.”