Wellington Swords Fencing Club, which meets at The Princess Royal Sports Complex in South Street, Wellington, is celebrating the selection of Maisie Everett for the England U13 girls epee team in Challenge Wratislavia in Wroclav, Poland next March.
Maisie’s selection comes at the end of a busy year of competition in which she has taken part in 16 events throughout the country, won five gold medals, one silver and six bronze – including two champion titles for the South West region and a bronze in the British Youth Championships. She finishes the Elite Epee season ranked No.1 in her age group.
Maisie lives in Churchinford. She has been fencing competitively for two years and trains twice with coach Jon Mason at Wellington Swords Fencing Club. She also has foil training with Jaqui Besley, a former international fencer and Commonwealth medallist who runs King’s Hall School Fencing Club.
Jon Mason said: “We’re really proud of Maisie and the commitment she puts into her training and competing. Juggling training with her school commitments and family life at this age is very difficult, but she has coped remarkably well and her selection is testament to her ability to remain positive and focused across the year.”
Wellington Swords Manager Jane Brown added: “We encourage children and adults to make the most of their ability, which is why it is so pleasing to see a young person selected to represent their country. Fencing is an ideal sport for those who do not enjoy the traditional team and ball sports and we need more fencers to offer our youngsters more local sparring partners.”
Wellington Swords has been running for 15 years and welcomes fencers of all ages and abilities, from young beginners of eight to seasoned veterans of 80, and both serious competitors and recreational fencers.
Many members are social fencers, but on the competitive side, the club has also trained a succession of national champions and international representatives.
The club meets on Mondays and Thursdays at The Princess Royal Sports Complex. For more information, email info@wellington-swords.club or visit the Facebook page.