Congratulations to the winners of the 2022-23 BF Community Awards.
The nominees of the 2022-23 BF Community Awards were sent out to our panel, consisting of Ben Falla, Head of Commercial Partnerships and Membership at the Royal Yachting Society; Emma Day, Director of Membership at British Horse Society; and Nia Jones, Finance and Project Senior at Disability Sport Wales.
The panel were impressed with the range and depth of nominations this year, as well as the time and commitment shown by all nominees to the sport that they are so obviously passionate about.
After meeting with the panel, we are please to announce the winners and their responses as follows:
Performance Athlete of the Year 2022-23: Piers Gilliver
“It’s a huge privilege to have won Performance Athlete of the Year. It really means a lot to be recognised by the British Fencing community.”
Young Athlete of the Year 2022-23: Mohammed Belbouab
“The past season was challenging for me, and attending the EFC competitions at Cadet level motivated me to get better. The European Championships were a great experience and I learnt a lot from my teammates and coaches. It is a huge honour to have been selected to represent GB at the World Championships and I will aim to do my best to get as far as possible.”
GBR Coach of the Year 2022-23: Baldip Sahota
“A coach is only as good as their fencer, and I have certainly been blessed with some of the best sitting and standing fencers in the last decade, including Owen Jordan, Piers Gilliver, Dimitri Coutya, Gemma Collis and Harry Palmer.
“My thanks go to many other fencers who have joined TFC through out the years. Special thanks go to Jacques Portal, Nick Ashmenall and Adrian Webb, who have looked after both the club and me. As always, behind the scenes there was my wife Hilary Sahota.”
Community Coach of the Year 2022-23: Robina Begum (Binni)
“I am by far what you would call a “normal participant of sport”. A wise man once told me, “if anyone can change communities, it is you, Binni” (quoted by the late David Kirby, Shakespeare’s Swords, Stratford-Upon-Avon).
“Being involved in Muslim Girls Fence has opened up fencing to women of all races, religious backgrounds and disabilities. This is where students are heard, where physical wellbeing has no criteria. This is where every student feels accepted, coming together to share a common passion for fencing.”
Outstanding contribution by a Volunteer 2022-23: Andrew Courtney
“Wow I am touched, although I only really accept this award on behalf of all the volunteers that work with such passion and love for the sport.”
Outstanding Contribution by a Referee 2022-23: Luke Deamer
“I’m delighted to win this award! I really enjoy refereeing with all my friends and colleagues, both here and around the world. Thank you to British Fencing and all those that continue to help me develop.”
Club of the Year 2022-23: Paul Davis Fencing Academy
“We are truly humbled by this recognition and will continue to strive for excellence in everything we do. Thank you for this special honour. This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our coaches, athletes, and support staff who have poured their hearts into making our Academy a vibrant and welcoming place for fencers of all levels. We are immensely proud of our community and the positive impact it has had on the sport.”
University Club of the Year 2022-23: Nottingham University Fencing Club
“It is a great honour to receive this award as it represents the huge amount of effort that went in to not only the 2022-23 season but also every year at UoN, especially with the support of our staff at the university. We took a huge step forward not only in our performance goals but also the beginner development of our club. The introductory plans to introduce wheelchair fencing into the current active season shows that the dedication extends out of the academic year as well.”
Congratulations once again to all of the winners. Nominations for the 2023-24 BF Community Awards will open later this year.
Don’t miss the latest news. Subscribe to our weekly summary email, The Fencing Digest, including the previous week’s latest news and announcements. Sign up here.
Sign up to receive regular highlights from the exciting world of fencing - celebrating the best of our unique and inspiring community
