Asquith Garde Fencing Association Annual Report

by Doug Brecht, President

1995-96 was our first year as a registered fencing club with the SFA. Although we started fine entering six competitors in the 1995 Nationals in June, we lost a few fencers over the summer. However, we did manage to enter at least four fencers in each Saskatchewan Tournament over the past season.

As beginners my students fared much as I expected, which was unfortunately poorer than they wished. Such is the naiveté of youth. By the end of the season, however, they had improved to the point where, as John Brunning puts it, they were at the bottom of the top group.

We started the season with twelve recreational members but as with most clubs, the Christmas Break was brutal, and we had dropped to around six in the new year. This left us with a total active membership of around fifteen.

We decided to cap our season with the Asquith Garde Open Tournament on Victoria Day. This event was slated to have Open events in men's and women's Foil, Sabre and Epee, as well as novice men's and women's foil events (which could be entered by non-passported fencers). Unfortunately, because of low entries the women's events were combined with the men's.

Kevin Brehon won the open Sabre, Henry Comerford won the open Epee, Curtis Leonard won the open foil, while Nadia Brecht won the novice foil.

The final event of the day was the Duelling Event. This was a one hit Epee event, with a total round-robin followed by Direct Elimination Bouts. It became quickly apparent that with one hit anyone can beat anyone else, as upsets were the order of the day. The one left standing at the end and the 1996 Asquith Open Duelling Champion was Kevin Brehon. His prize was a Court Sword Duelling Epee. The tournament was such an enjoyable event that we intend to host it again in the 1996-97 season, and our fencers are already looking forward to the other events in Saskatchewan.

Saskatoon Fencing Club Report, 1995-1996

by John Brunning, President

The year began without the usual disruption of our routine and we had a good registration and concentrated on fencing.

The response to our application for a Cash Incentive Program grant was $500.00 which was spent on new equipment (10 foil blades) used by Brian Zulkoskey to start a class for East College Park. We have spent $5556.10 on equipment and have an outstanding bill of $372.78, April 10, 1996 for a total of $5928.88.

This season we have raised $9190.72 from Bingo's which we have used to pay our rent, travel to Montreal in September (7 airline tickets), Edmonton in November (3 Vans) and Calgary in January (3 Vans), and purchase equipment. We submitted a 1996 Bingo budget of $23,800 (Facility Rental $4,000, Coaching $5,000, Travel $9,800, Equipment $5,000)

The final profit raised at the concession at the Nationals last June was $1332.40. The Saskatoon clubs earned 60% of this amount, $799.44, of which the SFC share is $532.96. We have raised $319.83 from local concessions this year.

We again received a youth subsidy grant from the City of Saskatoon which gives us a reduced rental rate at the Field House for members under 19 years of age. This grant has been cancelled as of January 1996 and will be phased out over the next 2 years. The phase-out was achieved with a cash buy-out of $375. This means our rent will return to the levels prior to the grant. However, there is no indication of a raise in the rental at the Field House of $11 per hour. This grant money is being re-directed by the city to coaching development, learn-to programs and target groups.

On the coaching front Maitre Seguin was in Saskatoon Mondays, Wednesdays and alternate Thursdays. A few individual lesson packages were purchased from Brian and myself. The 1 hour group instruction remained a part of the coaches duties to the competitive members.

Kevin Brehon and Carol-Lynne Mould conducted the University/Adult beginner class Tuesday and Thursdays respectively. Our club cost sharing was raised this year due to funding cuts to the SFA. We split a Saskatoon raise of $5000 with the U of S club, our share being 69% ($3450) based on the number of competitive fencers.

We have given school demonstrations at Cardinal Leger, St. Michael's and Aden Bowman Collegiate this year. Several other schools have also asked for demonstrations and clinics which will take place in May and June as our equipment is returned by members and becomes available for participatory demonstrations.

The monthly club newsletter was distributed 5 times.

We should discuss raising work at concessions to equal a bingo fund raising unit. Also I think that if someone volunteered to be in charge of concessions for the year and arranging billets that should equal their total fund raising commitment. We should also put more attention to setting up a Parents Committee to be involved in fund raising and billeting.

Sign up for club track suits has not yet reached the minimum of 12. We need another 4 orders or we will not be making an order this year. The track suits are still only $97 the same price as our last order 4 years ago. We still have 4 XL and 1 L Westerns 94 sweat shirts and 14 XL and 4 L Long sleeved club T-shirts.

On the social aspect of the club we held a successful Christmas party at the speed skating oval. We should set a date for a year end wind up such as an outdoor Barbecue in June.

Our executive is President John Brunning, Treasurer Catherine Coode, Secretary/Registrar Rainy Bakos, and Armourer Robert Anderson. The Fund-raising Coordinator position is currently vacant but will be filled by election next Fall. Our Directors are Trudi Barlow and John Brunning.

University of Saskatchewan Fencing Club Report, 1995-1996

by Jamie Foulger, President

At the start of the season, the executive and interested members met at the President's residence to discuss fund-raising activities. We decided to sell chocolate-covered almonds. Each member sold at least one box with the total money raised being $1200. U of S members also took part in bingo's, raffles and Fencing demonstrations.

Membership has gone up this year from 16 to 27 members. We set up a table in the tunnel during activities week and posters were put up at various locations on campus. This year there were 5 members from U. of S. on the provincial squad.

The beginner's class was held on Thursday evening and was coached by Carol-Lynne Mould and Kevin Brehon.

The executive is President Jamie Foulger, Treasurer Laurie Karchewski, Registrar Carol-Lynne Mould and the directors are Brian Zulkoskey and Dennis Duncan.

Fencing Returns to Moose Jaw

by John Brunning

After many years absence, fencing has returned to Moose Jaw. A nine week learn to fence program was run at the Moose Jaw YW/MCA this fall on Tuesday evenings. Nine people participated, learning about both foil and epee. This program introduced fencing to some new people and also brings back Todd Gaudet, who is attending SIAST there and Jamie Robb, Jim and Donna Robb's eldest son.

The program was extended for the rest of the fencing season and two Moose Jaw fencers attended several tournaments.

The executive for next season is Todd Gaudet as President, Scott Carter as Treasurer, and Todd Gaudet as Director.

Table of Contents