LPJS Haverstock Epee 2006

20^th May

The Leon Paul Junior Series Haverstock competition had almost 100 entrants in its inaugural tournament. Spread out over the Under-11, -13, -15 and -17 events, the largest category was the U11 group, which brought back many fencers after the great success of last year’s Haverstock Mixed U11 Open.

Held in the rebuilt Haverstock School, the competition was run in two sport halls (where Haverstock Fencing Club trains). LPJS Haverstock is also the first LPJS in Britain to have a dedicated finals area; the final of nearly every age group was held in a fully lit theatre with built-in seating. The metallic finals piste was grounded and installed with tower lights and a scoring machine, making the finals more spectator-friendly.

But perhaps the best part of the event – as many of the fencers and their parents felt – was the excellent support given to the competition by the whole of Haverstock Fencing Club. A dozen referees – all keen fencers themselves, several of them amongst the club’s well-known international fencers – turned up in suits and ties to ensure that the competition ran smoothly.

Check-in was run admirably by members of Haverstock – avoiding the long queues often found at the check-in of senior Opens – and a refreshments stall was on hand to ensure parents and fencers were amply supplied for the day ahead.

The younger age groups got off to a brilliant start in the first round of poules. Many of the referees commented that the standard of fencing at this age level was extraordinarily high. Several competitors from the previous weekend’s Under-12 Nationals were present at LPJS Haverstock and this ensured that the quality of fencing was at its highest for the Under-13 age group, which bodes well for the future of British youth fencing.

In the older age groups Haverstock fared extremely well, winning both U15 and U17 Boy’s Epee. As many of the boys in both age groups are aiming to be selected for the GB Cadet Epee Squad this year, the fencing got better and better towards the final stages of the competition.

Overall, Leon Paul Junior Series Haverstock was an enormous success. Judging by the high number of letters received thanking the organizers for a great day’s fencing, it will continue to be a fantastic youth event. Specific thanks to the HFC head coach Alex Agrenich, Chairman John Ince and Club Secretary Jacqui Lockwood. Haverstock Fencing Club thanks all competitors for their attendance – we will see you next year!