Page 5 - Eagle Eye Summer 2022

RAF Wyton Fencing Club
By Flt Lt Matt Butcher, OIC Fencing
Fencing is without a doubt one of the most intricately complex yet dynamic sports in existence today. It is one of the founding sports of the Modern Olympics, and the very fact that it survives today in what is largely its original format is a testament to both the spirit of the sport and the strength and character of those that choose to undertake it.
It has been a privilege to bring fencing to RAF Wyton, and even more so to see absolute beginners flourish in the sport here to the extent of immediately pursuing competition opportunities through the RAF Fencing Union (RAFFU), and empowering others to try it out themselves. I see daily the true character of sportsmanship embodied through these novices, and I fully expect to see them continue to grow from strength to strength through this club and the RAFFU.
The club has so far been a great success. Seeing beginner fencers win medals at the
RAF Novice Cup after just a week of training was fantastic, and many have since gone on to join external clubs on top of training here. As a coach and OIC it is a pleasure for me to see such passion in a group so new to the sport, and I very much look forward to seeing them continue to develop their skills and add to their medal haul at the upcoming RAF Fencing Championships.
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