Alex Agrenich
Alex Agrenich began fencing at the age of ten in his home town of Moscow.He immediately loved the sport and his youthful hard work, determination and commitment soon paid off. When, three years later, he moved to Israel he quickly became its top-ranked Cadet.In 1994, he returned (briefly) to his home town where he ranked 5th in the Moscow Junior Olympics. From 1995, he continued to fence in numerous international events.During this time, Alex also began his training as a coach. In 1996 he gained a ranking of 11th in the Junior World Championships.
When Alex emigrated to Britain he quickly discovered Haverstock Fencing Club and began training there.He continued both fencing and his own training as a coach.In 1999 he began coaching full-time at Haverstock!
Through his coaching, Alex aims to provide fencers with an opportunity to achieve consistency and better results – especially internationally.He encourages fencers to gain skills through systematic, structured training and is active in trying to build a network of support for fencers who wish to work towards an elite status. Alex works with Cadet, Junior and Senior fencers in a quiet, forceful manner that brings their individual strengths to the fore.
When Alex emigrated to Britain he quickly discovered Haverstock Fencing Club and began training there.He continued both fencing and his own training as a coach.In 1999 he began coaching full-time at Haverstock!
Through his coaching, Alex aims to provide fencers with an opportunity to achieve consistency and better results – especially internationally.He encourages fencers to gain skills through systematic, structured training and is active in trying to build a network of support for fencers who wish to work towards an elite status. Alex works with Cadet, Junior and Senior fencers in a quiet, forceful manner that brings their individual strengths to the fore.
John Ince (The Chairman)
When Haverstock’s Chairman and Founder Member, John Ince, began fencing he was fifteen years old and fenced foil. The trouble was, he beat everyone; and where is the fun in that? So he packed it in and moved on to other sports, learning judo, mountaineering, hill-walking, sky diving and football. After nine or ten years away from fencing, he felt something was terribly wrong. So, when he was twenty five, John returned to fencing and felt much better.
One evening, while John was in discussion with some fencing mates, an idea was born: ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a fencing club that you could come to straight from work, three nights a week, get some proper training, enjoy a bit of fencing without pressure, where you could feel at ease and feel supported in your goals, but also feel that the club was not political and exclusive.’ ‘Yeah, great!’ everyone agreed. And so it happened!
With a bit of effort on the part of John, Greg Allen, Steve Paul, Chris Norden (who discovered the premises and became the first head coach), as well as other founding members, Haverstock Fencing Club was founded in 1996 using the pre-renovated facilities of Haverstock School. John became Chairman of Haverstock Fencing Club and promptly announced that ‘A Club is only as good as its members’, a sentiment that certainly comes across in his effervescent entrance to the fencing hall every evening. He tries to take on board what any member has to say and insists that the Club is an ‘all comers’ sort of place. ‘Whether you are elite or mediocre, you come along here and you fence. It’s for professional and recreational fencers alike.’
John has recently completed his two year training to become a Fencing Master(British Fencing, International Fencing Masters Diploma in three weapons from Profs. Bognar Gabor and Peter Frolich).
One evening, while John was in discussion with some fencing mates, an idea was born: ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a fencing club that you could come to straight from work, three nights a week, get some proper training, enjoy a bit of fencing without pressure, where you could feel at ease and feel supported in your goals, but also feel that the club was not political and exclusive.’ ‘Yeah, great!’ everyone agreed. And so it happened!
With a bit of effort on the part of John, Greg Allen, Steve Paul, Chris Norden (who discovered the premises and became the first head coach), as well as other founding members, Haverstock Fencing Club was founded in 1996 using the pre-renovated facilities of Haverstock School. John became Chairman of Haverstock Fencing Club and promptly announced that ‘A Club is only as good as its members’, a sentiment that certainly comes across in his effervescent entrance to the fencing hall every evening. He tries to take on board what any member has to say and insists that the Club is an ‘all comers’ sort of place. ‘Whether you are elite or mediocre, you come along here and you fence. It’s for professional and recreational fencers alike.’
John has recently completed his two year training to become a Fencing Master(British Fencing, International Fencing Masters Diploma in three weapons from Profs. Bognar Gabor and Peter Frolich).
Andy Pavaday
Andy Pavaday has been fencing for nearly 20 years. As with many fencers, he began fencing foil and saber before moving on to epee, which is now his weapon of choice. Andy not only has the coolest hairdo in the fencing world, he is also a world champion: taking the gold in the World Police and Fire Games Championship in Stockholm (1999).
Andy has been fencing at Haverstock for eight years and is the founder of the Haverstock Pommelers, a small group of club members who use the French grip. He occasionally enters them for team competitions and is hoping one day they will win! He finds HFC a very friendly club with high standards, a great selection of challengers and an atmosphere that encourages continuing improvement.
Andy sees fencing as a package of technique, fitness and psychology where progress is made by ardent training and an eagerness to continue one’s own education in these areas.He believes this creates a process whereby confidence and skill are accomplished without undo pressure – and good results naturally follow.
Following a coaching course in Poland in 2001, Andy began his training to qualify as a coach. He is due to receive his Hungarian Diploma in all three weapons in summer 2007. At Haverstock, Andy coaches all ages and levels and clearly enjoys communicating fencing ideas and techniques. He is a natural coach: calm, detailed and very patient with beginners, both adults and children. ‘True coaching is about individualization’ he says. One of his goals at HFC is to help train junior fencers through to senior level.
Andy has been fencing at Haverstock for eight years and is the founder of the Haverstock Pommelers, a small group of club members who use the French grip. He occasionally enters them for team competitions and is hoping one day they will win! He finds HFC a very friendly club with high standards, a great selection of challengers and an atmosphere that encourages continuing improvement.
Andy sees fencing as a package of technique, fitness and psychology where progress is made by ardent training and an eagerness to continue one’s own education in these areas.He believes this creates a process whereby confidence and skill are accomplished without undo pressure – and good results naturally follow.
Following a coaching course in Poland in 2001, Andy began his training to qualify as a coach. He is due to receive his Hungarian Diploma in all three weapons in summer 2007. At Haverstock, Andy coaches all ages and levels and clearly enjoys communicating fencing ideas and techniques. He is a natural coach: calm, detailed and very patient with beginners, both adults and children. ‘True coaching is about individualization’ he says. One of his goals at HFC is to help train junior fencers through to senior level.