Selected by the FIE for his first FIE Senior circuit event, GBR referee Sam McLellan refereed the Men’s Individual and Women’s Team finals.
Sam started refereeing in 2017 and since 2018 has been part of the BF Referee Pathway Programme, designed to support GBR referees to achieve international success. In 2019 Sam gained his EFC C licence in sabre, followed by his FIE sabre refereeing licence in 2022.
The selection for this competition is the first time for over 10 years that GBR has had a sabre referee on what is called the ‘FIE Master List’. The FIE Master List is made up of the referees appointed by the FIE to FIE Senior World Cups and Grand Prixs.
Adrian Speakman, qualified in both foil and epee, is the only other GBR referee on the FIE Master List.
Commenting on his achievement, Sam said:
“I am delighted to have been selected for the FIE Master List in sabre. To referee at the highest level of our sport is a great privilege and responsibility, and I am grateful to the FIE Referee Commission for their endorsement and confidence. I am especially thankful to the team at British Fencing for their assiduous efforts which have greatly assisted in my selection, and for their continued support and guidance. Likewise, I am thankful to Adrian Speakman for his wise counsel and friendship (despite his utterly appalling singing voice) as I join him as the second British referee to join the FIE list.
“This appointment is testament to the strength of British Fencing’s Referee Pathway Programme and the wealth of domestic refereeing opportunities available — which I hope now to continue to support, and develop the next generation of British sabre referees through the experiences gained from refereeing at the pinnacle of our sport.
“The path to the Master List is a long one, and my acceptance onto it merely marks an inflection point in a protracted journey. My goal is simple; to continue to work hard and honestly on behalf of British Fencing, to best serve the athletes, coaches and communities of our great sport. The journey continues…”
FIE Master List referee Adrian Speakman said:
“I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sam – both on his inclusion on the FIE Master List and also for his first Senior World Cup finals. I am sure this will be the first of many finals for Sam, and I am excited to continue to support him on this journey.”
BF CEO Georgina Usher said:
“Being selected to referee the finals in his first Senior World Cup is a remarkable achievement. Congratulations Sam. Thanks must go to everyone who has supported him on his journey as part of the BF Referee Programme, and to our international colleagues in the EFC and FIE for their contribution, support and recognition of our growing community of world class referees here in the UK.”
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