Overview
Last updated 17/3/23
The purpose of the BF Athlete Representation Panel (ARP) is to provide a representative voice for GBR athletes on the GBR international performance pathway to Olympic success (Athletes), in particular those involved with the BF Athlete Development Programme (ADP). It is intended to:
- provide a group for Athletes on the performance pathway to share their feedback on all aspects of the GBR system and structure (as delivered by the BF Athlete Development Programme, excluding the elements delivered by the EIS Para Fencing World Class Programme)
- provide Athletes with a mechanism for ensuring their views on important matters are heard and communicated to the BF Senior Leadership Team and Board
- provide a two-way communication link between the Athletes and the BF Senior Leadership Team and BF Board.
Athletes will be provided with free training to support them in their roles, delivered by the British Athletes Commission.
Following a nomination and election process supported by the British Athlete Commission (BAC), the BF Athlete Representative Panel consists of the following five athletes.
An Athlete Representative’s role is to represent all ADP athletes – they are not restricted to representing their individual competition discipline or gender.
Kat Smith Taylor (Women’s Epee)
Billy Shepherd (Men’s Epee)
Gemma Collis (Women’s Para)
Piers Gilliver (Men’s Para)
Will Deary (Men’s Sabre)
(Please note that no nominations were received for athletes that fence women’s foil, men’s foil and women’s sabre.)
Statements from each athlete about their role as a representative are below. Contact details of the members of the panel are available via [email protected]. We will only give out contact details to verified GBR senior athletes that are members of BF.
The ARP will meet four times per year either in person during training camps and/or post competitions or via Zoom/Skype/Facetime.
Athlete Representatives
Kat Smith Taylor
“As an athlete who has been fencing for 18 years and competed on the senior international stage for over a decade, I recognise that women’s voices can be lost when it comes to sports. I am prepared to be that voice that will not get lost in the crowd.
Having been around the circuit for as long as I have, I have built relationships with many members of BF and I am not afraid to be the voice for someone who feels something needs to be said.”
Billy Shepherd
“Having previously worked as an athlete representative for the TASS Athlete Advisory Group (TAAG) for three years, I understand how important it is to represent the rights of athletes by providing them with a safe space to share their feedback on any issues they have during their time in sport. During my time at TAAG I gathered and collated feedback from TASS athletes and used this information to suggest improvements for the TASS scheme during meetings with other athletes and representatives from TASS. Furthermore, I have represented athletes in meetings with British Fencing and The University of Nottingham and served as a wellbeing officer at The University of Nottingham’s Fencing Club, where I learnt how to provide confidential support for fencers and how to appropriately signpost them where necessary.
From my experiences, I’m able to provide athletes with a confidential, supportive space to provide feedback and effectively communicate this during meetings and through written reports to British Fencing. I want to improve and help continuously develop the ADP to continue to create a high-performing sporting environment.”
Gemma Collis
“Aside from fencing, I work for the BBC as a sports journalist, am the Vice-Chair of the International Wheelchair Fencing Athlete Council and a member of the International Wheelchair Fencing Gender Equity Commission.
Having been the vice-chair of the International Wheelchair Fencing Athlete Council for the past four years, I feel passionately about the importance of strong athlete representation and the power of the athlete voice. I strongly believe that including athletes within every step of the decision-making process is key to ensuring athlete interests are best served – which is why I applied to be part of the British Fencing Athlete Representative Panel.
I hope to be a friendly face and listening ear that fencers of all age groups, and from all disciplines feel comfortable speaking to and raising issues with. I won’t pretend I know every problem or difficulty athletes will face or are already facing – but I will always be there to listen, to understand and to advocate on behalf of athletes on any issues they bring to us, or we as a panel identify.
I feel strongly that sports federations should be athlete-centred from top to bottom – which is why I think meaningful and effective athlete representation is key, and something I wanted to be involved in.
First and foremost, I want to gain an understanding of what my fellow athletes think. What’s working really well? What could be improved? And anything that perhaps concerns you? That should be the driving force behind our Panel’s work.
However, on a personal level – I hope to aid in the successful and meaningful integration of Para Fencing under British Fencing in order to ensure that fencing in the UK is fully inclusive and available to all. Most of all, I hope to provide a platform and mechanism by which every athlete within the pathway is able to have and use their voice.”
Piers Gilliver
“I’ve been competing internationally since 2012 and medalled at two Paralympic Games. I have been the wheelchair fencing athlete representative since 2018, during which time I’ve been World Class Program Lead, British Disability Fencing Board Member (until the transfer of responsibilities to BF in April 2022), and been a member of a number of council groups for the British Paralympic Association, Bath University, Paralympic Heritage Trust. I’ve also been on several athlete representative training courses, which I continue to attend.”
Will Deary
“From my years of experience being an athlete, I always felt the athletes should have a way of communicating with the NGB and share their thoughts on how they feel things are being run and why certain decisions are made.
I’m sure communication is key for the athletes, and I feel that being a part of the athlete representative panel gives me and my fellow athletes a way to open this channel of communication. It allows a more transparent vision of the workings of British Fencing to create a clear picture for all the athletes.”
