the_sword_july_2015

NEWSNewsSECRETARY OF STATE OPENS NEW ELITE TRAINING CENTREThe Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt. Hon. John Whittingdale MP, formally openedBritish Fencing’s Elite Training Centre on 28th May 2015. After four years of operating from the EnglishInstitute of Sport facility in Lee Valley this move represents the next step towards British Fencing’s goal ofdeveloping World Class fencers in a sustainable programme.British Fencing has worked with its partnerLeon Paul to create dedicated and exclusivefacilities for our World Class Programmefencers to train. The move has been madepossible by investment from Sport Englandand UK Sport. In addition, UK Sport hasincreased its annual World Class Programmegrant to support the additional day-to-daycosts of operating out of this Centre.The grants have allowed a dedicated facility tobe developed for the World Class Programmewhich includes a medical treatmentroom, Strength & Conditioning facilities, aconsultation room, a kitchen and a dryingroom for kit. There is also a hot desk facility forWCP athletes alongside an office for the staff.A new meeting room has being installed withinthe training venue to enable instant athletefeedback during and after training sessions andfor athlete reviews.Secretary of State, the Rt. Hon. JohnWhittingdale MP, said; “It was fantastic tomeet some of our top fencers and see themin action as they prepare for next month’sEuropean Championships. These new facilities,funded by Sport England and UK Sport, aresuperb and a great boost for all at BritishFencing.”Rod Carr, Chair of UK Sport, said; “To achieveworld class performances, athletes and staffneed access to truly world class facilities. Thisnew elite training centre for British Fencingachieves exactly that and will help the wholeprogramme achieve their full potential at thiscritical time on the road to Rio 2016.“This fantastic centre provides a permanentworld class home for British Fencing’s NationalLottery Funded World Class Programme. Iam confident it will also be a centre that will“The success of thisproject is testamentto the strong workingpartnership betweenUK Sport, SportEngland, British Fencingand Leon Paul.”inspire the next generation of athletes in thetalent pathway as they focus on fulfilling theirdreams.“The success of this project is testament tothe strong working partnership between UKSport, Sport England, British Fencing and LeonPaul.”Sport England Chair, Nick Bitel, said;“Providing the right training environment forour athletes so they can be competitive onthe international stage is vital. Thanks to ourstrong partnership with UK Sport to developa network of elite training centres in England,we have been able to create a truly fantasticfacility for our elite and up and coming fencingathletes to thrive.”Marcus Mepstead, British Fencing WorldClass Programme athlete said; “Moving tothis new dedicated centre is very exciting.We’ve been here for a couple of weeks alreadyand everyone is really happy. I am preparing forthe European Championships next week andwe couldn’t ask for better facilities. Our thanksgo to Sport England, UK Sport, Leon Paul andBritish Fencing – and of course the NationalLottery.”Alex Newton, Performance Director said;“We are delighted that we have enteredin to a partnership with Leon Paul and arealready feeling the benefits of moving to adedicated elite fencing venue. I would liketo thank Sport England and UK Sport for thesignificant capital funding they have provided,alongside the increased revenue funding fromUK Sport. As we prepare for the EuropeanChampionships, which start next week, wecould not have a better training environmentin which to prepare our athletes.”Link to opening video:“...As we preparefor the EuropeanChampionships, whichstart next week, wecould not have a bettertraining environmentin which to prepare ourathletes.”(L to R) Chair of Sport England Nick Bitel, British fencer, Natalia Sheppard, CEO of British Fencing,Georgina Usher, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, John Whittingdale, Chair of UKSport, Rod Carr, and British fencer Marcus Mepstead at Leon Paul Fencing Centre (Photo by ScottHeavey/Getty Images for UK Sport)JULY 2015 THE SWORD 5