Kate
started her fencing career at Ashford School at the age of 10(1978).
She was selected for the Kent Squad in 1988 and continued to fence for
Kent for the next 10 years. She fenced in all the County and Section
events and was, with the team members, Kent Mixed Doubles, Kent Team
Foil, Individual Epee and Foil Champion several times. During those 10
years She gained Kent and South East colours and was consequently
selected to fence for the South East and National Team on many
occasions. In 1991 she was chosen for the Rest of Britain Squad and
gained her colours. Kate has won many competitions over the years
including the Kings Lynn Open in 1990 and the Bristol Open in 1992
which placed her in the top three in the country. In 1995 she was
finalist in the National Epée. Whilst fencing abroad Kate was often
placed as one of the best Britains but her best result was probably a
finalist in the Soissons Open in 1998.
Kate
started coaching by accident as there was a position available at
Ashford School, the very place where it had all started! She began
coaching here in 1989 but relocated in 1992 so had to leave the
position although she continued to fence competitively. Kate then left
the fencing world in 1999 when she fell pregnant with her first son and
remained off the circuit until the birth of her second son in 2003.
Since 2003 Kate have renewed her coaching qualifications and teaches at
Ashford School, Duke of York’s Royal Military School, Kingsnorth
Fencing Club and now Invicta Fencing Club.
Kate
is the clubs current Foil (BFA Grade 3) and Epee (BFA Grade 1) coach.
As well as being the head coach, Kate is also the current Womens Epee
champion and South East England champion and recently returned from the
World Veteran Championships held in Switzerland. Kate is also a current
member of the Kent womans Epee team.
Grant Dickenson;
Grant
started fencing 15 years ago at the age of 11 at Kemnal Technology
College, Kent. Grants most notable achievements in his early years of
fencing is winning the Leon Paul series in 1995. At the age of just 16
Grant then went on to win the Norfolk Open and Mary Howden Open in
1996. These results combined with winning the Kent and Southeast
section competitions earned Grant a call-up to the GBR youth squad
under the guidance of Prof. Neil Brown. In 1999 Grant laid down his
Sabre for a break from the sport that would last almost 7 years.
Despite
the long break in his fencing Grant has returned to the sport with a
vengeance, winning the Mendelenyi memorial tournament. Grant then went
on to win the 1997 Kent senior Sabre event as well as the Southeast
section. Grant also achieved a notable 3rd place at the Plymouth Open
earning himself a call-up to the Kent Fencing Squad.
As well as
still competing at a top level Grant has recently gained a BFA grade 2
in coaching and is the Invicta Fencing Club(IFC) Sabre coach. Grant is
also the clubs competition co-ordinator and offers transport to and
from competitions as well as coaching at events for all members of IFC.
