Hi all,

Hope you’ve all enjoyed the first few months of the new academic year and your time with the club. I hope you’ll all agree that it has been an exciting time for Fencing at the University. Below are just some general notices:

Just to be clear about the club training times as there has been a recent slight change in plans:

• Tuesdays – 7 – 8pm beginners’ lesson. 8pm till 10pm free fencing for beginners, advanced and intermediates (Sports Hall 1A)

• Wednesday – BUSA matches, everybody welcome to come and support (Sports Hall 3)

• Saturday – 10:30 to 11:00 warm-up, the free fights and lessons with Robert Kiss till 12:30 and free fights continue till 1:30. Advanced and intermediate only (Sports Hall 2)  

Next Big Social – Dial 999 it’s an emergency!!!

An Otley Run starting at Woodies on Sunday 18^th November at 4:00. The idea is to dress up as anything to do with the emergency services, a good fun filled night.

For more news please join our facebook group: Leeds University Fencing Club

Also you should all check out are swish website: www.luufencing.co.uk

Team Training - Join the facebook group ‘Leeds University Teams’

            Remember Tuesday evening free fights is a perfect opportunity to train before BUSA matches on the Wednesday. If you are interested in joining the Kirkstall club look at the facebook groups for information. Also can all team members make the effort to come to Saturday training including the warm-up (if you are not there on time you cannot be on the lesson list) Robert Kiss a fantastic advantage to us over other universities, so please make the effort to come to the sessions. Additional (optional) group fitness sessions will soon be arranged so look out for messages.

Although the change from Cromer Terrace to the main Sports hall has presented us with some teething problems this semester we have all those ironed out now and both Saturday and Tuesday evening sessions have been running smoothly in the sports hall. Due to coaching times we have shifted the coaching times for the Saturday morning session forward an hour and coaching session with Robert Kiss will now run from 10:30 until 12:30 with an hour’s free fencing until 1:30. Robert is a fantastic resource for the club and with his help we hope to raise the standard of advanced fencing in the club. We hope that the new time of 10:30 is convenient for all.

The Tuesday beginner sessions will continue to run at the usual time of 7:00 and there is the usual free fencing session following the beginners training at 8:00. This session is open for all members and is a good opportunity for advanced and intermediates to train before Wednesday BUSA matches. It is also a great opportunity for beginners to raise their game a bit, fencing different people and trying out new weapons with more and more opportunities to have a go on the electric. We always head to the Terrace or the Old Bar in the Union for a drink afterwards so please stick around, bring a change of clothes and come join us; it’s always nice to see some new faces.

We are beginning a loan system whereby fencers can borrow kit and take it home with them; this will allow you to always have access to kit which fits you and you will also be able to wash clothing. We appreciate that the club kit can get very grubby with the amount of use it gets so if you wish to wash kit whilst in your possession please wash with only whites on a normal wash at 30º. Please be responsible with kit in your possession and sign it in and out to avoid being charged for it. If kit breaks whilst in your possession you will not be charged unless it is deemed that you have been negligent but please let Liam (the armourer responsible for the kit) or any other committee member know about the breakage. The system for kit loaning does not extend to blades or bodywires; these must not be taken away from the club at any time. If you loose any item of kit you will be charged the full price!!!

The BUSA league has kicked off with a bang for both the men’s and women’s teams this year with the women’s team currently sat top of their league and the men with no sign of loosing their unbeaten record. The Women’s team got off to a sterling start beating local rivals York 134- 110 at home. The next challenge for the girls was Durham away but sadly dogged by injury and with a much depleted team the women were beaten by a meagre 5 points. The next battle was against Sheffield a usually tough team were flattened 135-77 as the team found their form again. Sunderland saw an equally superb performance from the women’s team with the special mention to the foil team who conceded less than 10 points during the whole match. The final score was 135-51 leaving the women securely at the top of the league. The girls play Northumbria away on Wednesday the 14^th and the match against our rivals for top-slot should prove a challenge for the girls.

As for the men, the season has been equally as successful with the first match against Newcastle being won 133-76. This was an exciting match against a strong team and boasted some fantastic individual performances. The Men’s second match was against Durham was again one 135- 75, again a really great match and with many matches left to play we hope that the men’s team are on track to win the league once again this year. Unfortunately Bradford withdrew them selves from the league, and the match against Sunderland was rearranged until January 2008.  The men are playing Hull at home this Wednesday the 14^th. Should be a very exiting match so please drop by. 

With all matches support is more than welcome so please drop by to watch both the men and women’s matches every Wednesday if they are playing at home, sports hall 3 (upstairs in the sports centre). We really get a boost out of your presence so please join us and lend your support.

To see all BUSA results go to: http://www.busa.org.uk/fl/

Socially we have another not to be missed coming up. The 999 Otley run will be starting at Woodies on Sunday 18^th November at 4:00. The idea is to dress up as anything to do with the emergency services be it victim, perpetrator, or hero (don’t forget coast guard and mountain rescue) and then get drunk. For further details check out the facebook event or talk to Katy (social Secretary). Make sure you’re there, a night not to be missed!!! Look out for reports of our Christmas meal soon to be arranged!!!

Membership fees should now all be in, anyone not yet paid please speak to Doug (treasurer) or any other committee member. 

BUSA individual matches are now looming. Those wishing to compete will need to be registered members of the BFA. Please speak to Tom (club captain) for more details. All entries will be sent off on Wednesday the 14^th November so please hurry and get your entrys in.

By obtaining BFA membership it will also allow you to compete in all National Opens, so if you’re keen on competing and improving your fencing then you’ll need to be a member. See the BFA’s (British fencing association) website www.britishfencing.com for further details. There are a lot of local opens coming up after Christmas, so do join up. They are always fun and successful trips away!!!

Any questions please ask any committee members, see you all at training and happy fencing!!!

Regards

Laura Katherine Mingins (Secretary)                             Tom Exeter (Club Captain)