Author: John Stanley

  • Why are young women leaving sport?

    Why are young women leaving sport?

    Last year the charity Women In Sport, on behalf of Sport England, painted a bleak picture of the exercise habits of the UK’s teenagers as the country left the pandemic behind. Via a survey of over 4000 teenagers, they found more than one million teenage girls (43%) who once were active in sport had disengaged…

  • Getting hit: when is it OK?

    Getting hit: when is it OK?

    When examining our fencing, often we talk about what our best actions are, how we want to score our points and what our strengths are. How often however, do we take the time to look at it from the opposite perspective – what ways will we and won’t we accept being hit by our opponent?…

  • How I Do It: Dimitri Coutya

    How I Do It: Dimitri Coutya

    Dimitri Coutya took home four medals from Tokyo 2020, and he is the current number one in the world in Cat B Foil. He is a three time world champion, a four time European champion, and is expected to play a major role at Paris 2024. He spoke to Karim Bashir for The Sword in…

  • Digital distractions: taking back control

    Digital distractions: taking back control

    Have you noticed a potential decrease in your attention span lately? Do you catch yourself tapping on an app or clicking on a link without a clear understanding of why you started? Have you encountered challenges with sleeping, completing a book, or beginning a new one?Have you, recently, picked up your phone – or opened…

  • MGF x Riposte Magazine

    MGF x Riposte Magazine

    The images taken by Nina Manandhar for Riposte magazine – now apparently, sadly, no more – of young fencers at Wapping High School are indeed joyous and powerful. “Fencing attire allows fencers to be fully covered, allowing women to adhere to their own sense of religious guidelines as well as playing a sport comfortably –…

  • The sustainable athlete: small steps

    The sustainable athlete: small steps

    Millions of people engage in sports, recreation, and physical activities on a weekly basis. Together, we bear a significant responsibility, not only in altering our practices but also in leveraging our collective voice to effect change. British Fencing has several initiatives to promote sustainability, including an Environmental Working Group.  In December 2023 BF has opened…

  • Helping Coaches Help Athletes: Psychology And Wellbeing

    Helping Coaches Help Athletes: Psychology And Wellbeing

    There have recently been a number of athletes sharing stories about the psychological distress challenges they have experienced. Research has long suggested that athletes participating in sport, particularly at competitive and elite levels, may be at-risk of experiencing psychological distress and associated mental disturbance. In many cases this is due to the various sport-specific stressors…

  • Jaimie Cook: The Road To Paris

    Jaimie Cook: The Road To Paris

    At his first Senior World Championships, Jaimie Cook opened his account with six victories from six in the poule, sending him straight through to the round of 64, where he joined fellow foilists Marcus Mepstead and Kristjan Archer in the last stage of the individual competition. It was one of the more spectacular starts to…