This weekend, BF’s GBR Pathway Development Camps will bring together ambitious foil, epee, sabre, and wheelchair fencing athletes for a focused weekend of learning, training, and development.
Designed to support athletes on the GBR Pathway, the camps provide high-quality coaching, challenging training environments, and opportunities to develop the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological skills required for future success.
Camp Overview
The GBR Development Camps are designed to:
Venue: Leon Paul Fencing Centre
Theme: Pre-Season – Creativity and Exploration
Athletes will explore creative problem-solving, tactical awareness, and momentum-building within a structured pre-season environment. Sessions include:
Preparations
Attacking actions
Creativity and exploration
Momentum and initiative
Group discussions and reflection
RAMP warm-ups and activation sessions
Coaching Team
GBR Coaches
Senior Athlete Support
British Fencing Staff
Venue: Leon Paul Fencing Centre
As the first entry point into the wheelchair fencing pathway, this camp is designed to help athletes understand the demands of performance fencing and begin building the foundations required for progression. Working with all three weapons, athletes will work on their skills in each discipline, including sparring techniques and tactical performance. Athletes demonstrating commitment and development may be invited to progress into future Accelerate Camps, which form the next stage of the wheelchair fencing pathway.
GBR Coaches
British Fencing Staff
Venue: Nottingham Jubilee Sports Centre
Theme: Strength & Conditioning, Sparring and Fencing Mindset
The Epee camp combines technical fencing development with integrated strength and conditioning activities. Athletes will experience:
GBR Coaches
Team Managers
British Fencing Staff
Venue: Cardiff Academy of Fencing
Theme: Building Performance Habits for Long-Term Success
The Sabre programme focuses on helping athletes establish the foundations required for future high performance through:
“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” – Muhammad Ali
GBR Coaches
Phil Shepherd-Foster
Fran Whalley
British Fencing Staff
Sarah Jones
What Athletes Can Expect
Across all three weapons, the camps are designed to provide:
The GBR Development Camps form an important part of the BF GBR Pathway, providing athletes with opportunities to develop the skills, behaviours, and mindset needed for future international success. Through challenging training environments, expert coaching, and athlete-led learning, participants will leave equipped to make the most of the season ahead.
Applications to join the pathway will open at the end of July. Please visit Joining the Pathway for more details.
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