'Logbook' Newsletter T1 2023

05/16/2023

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Hey there,

We’d like to welcome you back to the Logbook with our first edition of the year! After a relaxing holiday, the Club and it’s Marauders have returned enthusiastically to fencing. Plenty has been going on both in and outside of the club as we start 2023 by covering both operational and fencing updates!

Brand New Equipment funded from NSW Local Sport Grant Program

The start of the new year has seen our Club refresh its armoury of fencing equipment to improve Marauders’ fencing experience. Our Club was part of the Local Sport Grant Program last year, a local government program aiming to support grassroots sporting clubs to increase participation, host events, improve access and enhance sport and recreation facilities.

With the funding, Marrickville Marauders was able to acquire two brand new fencing piste setups, including spools, ground leads and scoring boxes. The scoring boxes are battery powered, making our fencing setup more mobile and more flexible. We were also able to purchase 12 new sets of individual fencing gear for both equipment hire and for beginners.

Healthy Club membership continues to grow

We’re glad to report that our club membership has reached our peak 2022 numbers already.

In just the 1st term of the year, we have welcomed 7 new Marauders already. They have been wholeheartedly welcomed into a community of 26 returning members from last year.

Two fencers having an exchange while fencing

First Marauders Challenge Competition of the year

This year’s series of termly club competitions has begun with 14 fencers testing their skills. These competitions offer an introduction to competition format and are a chance for Marauders to see how far their fencing has come.

You can find the results of the recent competition here. The competition contributes to our overall club rankings. Our next Challenge will be on Saturday June 10.

International results in Uzbekistan and Bulgaria

Our competitive team continue to grow with Marauders Gaia and Daniel representing Australia in the Asian Junior and Cadet Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The pair took part in both individual and team events, taking on some of the biggest rising fencing talent in the region in early March. Gaia reached an amazing Top 16 (13) result in Juniors, before being defeated by a local Uzbek favourite. Her team went on to place 5th in the same category. Despite a hand injury, Daniel similarly fought well, with a 42nd finish in a strong Cadet Men’s field and a 34th finish in his team event, along with a 46th finish in the Junior category.

The next month, Marauder Gaia also travelled to Plovdiv, Bulgaria, to compete the Junior World Championships. Coached by our very own Head Coach Jess, her young team of women’s sabreurs fought to 16th place finish with a victory over Great Britain, placing them midway through a field of 29 countries.

National Youth success

Marauder Daniel continued his dominance on the Australian Youth Circuit with podium finishes in both Melbourne and Sydney earlier this term.

Dan finished with a bronze medal in AYC#1 (Melbourne) and recently took a silver medal in AYC#2 (Sydney).

New faces on the NSW circuit

As Marauders hone their skills, we highly encourage them to put them to the test on in competition.

Congratulations to Marauder Oliver! Oliver not only took on his first state competition at the recent Sydney Olympic Cup, but did so with a bronze medal finish!

School programs increase fencing’s youth reach

While a long-standing staple in a small number of schools, the equipment-heavy sport of fencing has not always been easily accessible by the wider majority of schools in Sydney. Marrickville Marauders has been continually establishing school programs run by our nationally accredited coaches and experienced fencers as a way to increase local access to our sport.

Our coaches are currently teaching at fencing programs at Trinity Grammar School, Ferncourt Primary School and Sydney Boys High School. Know a school looking for a new sport? Get in touch with us!

Morning Fencing at Ferncourt

With before-school sessions on Wednesday mornings from 8:15-9:15AM, many young Marauders have begun their journey with us at Ferncourt.

Know someone looking for primary school fencing at Ferncourt? We still have spots open. Reach out to us via email!

Have your say at our 2023 AGM

Our Annual General Meetings are a place to discover how the club is run, see where Marrickville Marauders is at, and shape the future of our Club.

We’re holding our AGM on Thursday 25 May 2023 from 7:30-8:30PM. If you’d like any topic raised at our AGM, you can submit to our agenda below!

Submit Agenda