European Fencing Championships 2011 – Media Launch
(Incorporating the European Wheelchair Fencing Championships
12 noon 8th June, Meadowhall Shopping Centre (LOCATION) transferring to the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield at 1.30pm
British Fencing launched the 2011 European Fencing Championships today (8th June) in the UK’s largest retail centre, Meadowhall, Sheffield.
One of the original sports of the Olympic Games, fencing has increasingly become part of Sheffield’s sporting pedigree, but this is the first time that Britain will have hosted the European Championships, a direct impact of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The English Institute of Sport in Sheffield is staging the Championships from the 13-19 July and GB’s Olympic hopefuls; Richard Kruse (Foil), Laurence Halsted (Foil), and Simon Wilson (Epee); were put to the sword (Go Fence) by local beginners and unsuspecting shoppers!
The City’s new Lord Mayor, Dr Sylvia Dunkley, provided the perfect foil for Britain’s Olympic trio and was clearly delighted that Sheffield had been the first City to attract the event to British soil.
“Sheffield has a rich sporting heritage and track record of hosting the best in elite sporting events. We are delighted to be welcoming the European Fencing Championships to the city, and it’s been good to learn about this fascinating and enjoyable sport here today. It’s also great for the people of Sheffield to have these international sporting events on their doorstep, and a fantastic inspiration for everyone in the city to get involved in sport.”
Halsted, Kruse and Wilson were impressed with the Lord Mayor’s rapier like skills and commented:
“It is a great honour to have the City’s support and with the Olympic Games in London next year we hope that the European Championships will give us a taste of the atmosphere we can expect in London just over a year from now. The whole team are looking forward to fencing in the English Institute of Sport and we are ready to take on the world’s best next month in Sheffield.
Liz Nicholl, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said:
“UK Sport is committed to bringing world class sporting events to the UK ahead of 2012 and delivering the most comprehensive programme of major sporting events ever staged by an Olympic and Paralympic host nation.”
“The European Fencing Championships in Sheffield will provide an invaluable opportunity for British athletes to experience international competition on home soil, to prepare them for their home Games.”
Piers Martin, CEO of British Fencing spoke of the excitement in the sport and the crucial preparations the Championships provided for Team GB.
“These Championships are the biggest and most spectacular fencing event ever to be held in the UK. We would like to publicly acknowledge the support of UK Sport, Welcome to Yorkshire and Sheffield City Council and sponsors in making this possible.”
“We’ve only got a few weeks to go and we are right on track organisationally and competitively to provide an unforgettable experience to over a 1000 competitors and many more spectators from around Europe. We want enthusiastic crowds to come and lift our Olympians and Paralympians and propel them on the road to 2012!” added Martin.
The city of Sheffield has supported fencing over the past few years with the EIS becoming the home of the National Championships from under-16 level up to senior age groups. Speaking on behalf of Sheffield City Council, Lord Mayor, Councillor Sylvia Dunkley, said:
“Sheffield has a rich sporting heritage and track record of hosting the best in elite sporting events. We are delighted to be welcoming the European Fencing Championships to the city, and it’s been good to learn about this fascinating and enjoyable sport here today. It’s also great for the people of Sheffield to have these international sporting events on their doorstep, and a fantastic inspiration for everyone in the city to get involved in sport.”
The Championships are being organised on behalf of British Fencing by Sheffield based, MLS, and Event Director, John Timms, urged the region to take this once in a life time opportunity to volunteer, support and watch the Championships.
“Every effort has been made to make this major event accessible to the local community with a schools legacy programme and tickets at affordable prices. We will see many of the world’s best fencers all in one venue, and if you haven’t been successful in getting Olympic tickets, then you can rub shoulders with the best at the Europeans!
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE SEE NOTES BELOW OR CONTACT:
For further information contact Karim Bashir on +44 7855 252 546 or [email protected]. Catch Sport working in partnership with British Fencing.
Media Launch Full Schedule
Meadowhall Shopping Centre (Insert Location)
11am – 5pm Go Fence Taster Session delivered by British Fencing
12.00pm Challenge Richard Kruse & Laurence Halsted to a duel including the Lord Mayor of Sheffield and photo opportunity with general public.
12.45pm Kruse & Halsted press photo shoot
1.00pm Transfer to English Institute of Sheffield (transport not provided)
1.30pm Media Q&A session with John Timms, Piers Martin, Laurence Halsted, Richard Kruse and Simon Wilson
2.15pm Tour of EIS by John Timms
3.00pm Tour ends
Go Fence is an innovative form of fencing that allows greater access to the sport using plastic swords.
Access to the first day of competition will be free of charge.
For the remainder of the event tickets (which will provide access to all qualifying rounds and the final) will be sold at only £10 for adults, £5 for concessions, with a family ticket (two adults + two children) going for just £20. Finals corporate tickets via Sheffield Chamber of Commerce are £30 per head.
Visit the championship website at www.eurofencing2011.com. You can also now attach the European Fencing Championships widget to the British Fencing website home page to stay in touch with the latest news.
UK Sport’s World Class Events Programme distributes approximately £3.5 million of Lottery funding each year to support the bidding and staging costs of major events on home soil, as well as providing specialist support to organisers. Events are supported primarily based on their likely performance impact, but the broader impacts of events are also examined, to maximise the wider sporting, social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits, as well as sporting performance and legacy.
Over 100 events hosted by at least 35 different towns and cities will have been supported from 2007 until the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These competitions will have attracted around 30,000 athletes and provided opportunities for over 27,000 officials and volunteers to gain international sporting experience and develop key skills ahead of London 2012. More @ www.uksport.gov.uk/events
Sheffield City Council’s Major Sports Events Unit works with other major partners to attract national and international events to the city – on average more than 40 each year.
Sheffield is committed to hosting a full programme of sports events throughout the year and it is the sheer number and diversity of events that underpins Sheffield as an events capital. The City’s programme enhances Sheffield’s image on the national and international stage, in addition to providing huge economic benefit to the city – www.sheffield.gov.uk or www.sheffield-lightingtheflame.com
Welcome to Yorkshire – www.yorkshire.com
MLS based in Sheffield have been appointed by British Fencing Events to deliver the Senior European Fencing Championships. For more information visit www.mls.gb.com
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