HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF FENCING

HISTORY OF THE AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF FENCING

In 1931 the British Academy of Fencing Masters was founded with Prof. Felix Grave as President, Prof. Leon Crosnier Secretary and Prof. A. Parkins Treasurer.  Professor  Crosnier graciously accepted the Patronage of the formation of the original Australian Academy of Fencing in 1960. initiated by Prof. Mike O'Brien (Qld), Jock Gibson (NSW), Charles Stanmore (NSW) and Prof. John Fethers  (Overseas Representative). The Academy was originally run under an Australianized version of the British Academy of Fencing's constitution.  

• Prof. Michael O’Brien B.A.F. (British Academy of Fencing)   

• Maître John Fethers A.A.P. (Académie d'Armes du Paris)
• Prof. Joan Beck B.A.F. (British Academy of Fencing)
• Maître Charles Stanmore A.A.F. (Australian Academy of Fencing)
• Maître Jock Gibson A.A.F. (Australian Academy of Fencing)

• Maître Lazlo (Les) Fadgyas A.A.F. (Australian Academy of Fencing)

• Maître Gordon Troup A.A.F. (Australian Academy of Fencing)

• Maître Tim Owen A.A.F. (Australian Academy of Fencing)

• Maître Eric Crawford A.A.F. (Australian Academy of Fencing)

• Maître George Feonander A.A.F. (Australian Academy of Fencing)

• Maître Eugene Kerezgy A.A.F. (Australian Academy of Fencing)

• Maître Cornell Vena A.A.F. (Australian Academy of Fencing)

• Maître Lou Lapata I.N.S. (French Academy)* (deceased)

The Academy functioned on behalf of the profession until the late 1970's when, lured by the possibility of Government financial support became a sub-committee of the Australian Amateur Fencing Federation, AAFF.  The Australian Fencing Coaches Association AFCA.  This was a time when the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme was being introduced.  By the late 1980's each State had a Level 3 Fencing Master responsible for administering the NCAS in their particular State.  However by the late 1990's these positions were being held by AAFF Level 1 and Level 2 NCAS Coaches.    

No real professional development occurred from this relationship and it was not until the mid to late 1980's that the next intake of Masters did occur:  

• Maître Vivien Watts A.A.F. (Australian Academy of Fencing)

• Maître Colin Oberg (USA Academy)

• Maître Gary Worsfield F.A.C. (Fencing Academy of Canada)

In 1988  The Australian Academy of Fencing again Registered its business name as a Professional Academy and School of Fencing Education.   In 2001 two of the Academy's Founding Fathers, Prof. Michael A. O'Brien and Prof. John Fethers, along with Cornell Vena, one of the original accredited A.A.F Masters and Maitre Gary Worsfield ran a week-long fencing camp, holding Examinations and accrediting the following Prevot Masters:

• David Airey 
• Simon Leitch 
• Mark Scully 
• Jesse Braid 
• Tynan Worsfield 
• Scott Holmes 
• Michael Sitchel 

Maitre Gary Worsfield continues  to develop the En Garde! texts for the Academy's Coaching Education & Accreditation Program ,  Prof. Mike O'Brien has been assisting the QAFA's with their State Squad training and with the implementation of NCAS accreditation, and Maitre Cornell Vena has been assisting with the development of fencing in Townsville. 

In 2004 we celebrated with Prof. Mike O'Brien BAF, 50 years a Fencing Master!   CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU MIKE! - on behalf of the Fencing Communities that have prospered from your coaching and professionalism!     Mike was presented his Diploma at the 1956 Olympics. He actually graduated in 1954. 

To be continued.........