The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has understood this for a long time: the development of the practice, at all levels of the pyramid, requires coaches. Weapons masters. The traditional countries of the discipline, in Europe in particular, have no shortage of them. Elsewhere, the observation is less true.

How to train them? And, above all, support them in their progress? During the last Olympiad, the FIE provided answers to these questions by creating academies dedicated to the training and development of fencing masters. In Europe, but also on the African continent.

For Europe, the choice fell on Budapest, capital of Hungary. A stronghold of fencing, one of its lungs. A bastion of discipline for several decades. The FIE Academy began its activities in 2016, the year of the Rio de Janeiro Games. The health crisis forced her to take a two-year break, but she restarted the process last year and immediately regained her cruising speed.

Target ? Coaches from all over the world. The class of 2022 identified 24, from 19 countries, in Europe, America and Asia. Nearly a third of women. And, for the vast majority of them – 19 out of 24 – experience of at least five years as a fencing master at a national level.

For each of the three weapons – epee, foil and saber – the training follows the same procedure. A twelve-week cycle, 5 days a week, six hours a day. The eight saber students opened the year, between January and April (photo above). The eight swordsmen followed between April and July. The foilists, also eight in number, completed the exercise between August and November.

On the program, fencing and more fencing. But the Budapest academy strengthened the training with more theoretical courses in psychology, physiology and biomechanics. They are taught by teachers from the Hungarian University of Physical Education, an establishment associated with the FIE program.

It is also planned, as part of a partnership agreement, for the university to recognize the training provided and issue level 2 diplomas, recognized internationally, to students who have passed the final exam. Clarification: the 24 students from the Budapest academy trained last year all completed the program with their diploma in hand.

Another example: Johannesburg. The FIE opened an academy in the South African metropolis in 2017. It began its activities the following year. Its zone of influence: English-speaking Africa.

On a continent where the development of fencing is slowed down by a lack of teachers, the FIE initiative quickly filled a void. The Johannesburg academy is organized by ETA College. Practical lessons are given at the Tyshler Fencing School (TFS), named after fencing master Gennady Tyshler.

Unlike the Budapest academy, the training lasts almost a year. Forty weeks, between February and November. The three weapons are collected. At the helm, two volunteer trainers: Jo Ann Saner and Novak Perovic. The 2022 class, the fifth since the opening of the center, included seven student weapons masters, from five African countries (South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Congo and Kenya).

The Johannesburg academy awards two diplomas: the Higher Certificate in Coaching Sciences, and the FIE Coaching Diploma.

Novak Perovic explains it: “ Most of our graduates are coaches in their country, some of them even in the national team. We hope that they can contribute to the development of fencing in Africa, a continent lacking local coaches. Fencing masters from other regions of the world are sometimes reluctant to come and train in poor and underdeveloped areas. Development therefore involves local coaches.«