In January 2024, British Fencing hosted the Wheelchair Fencing World Cup at the National Centre in Cardiff. This was the first major international World Cup level event for over a decade, and a hugely prestigious event for UK fencing. As well as a sporting occasion, it represented multiple communities coming together and a solid legacy for wheelchair fencing in the UK.
Additionally, it was the first major para-fencing event to be held in the UK since London 2012, and also marked the first time two British gold medals had been won at at World Cup level on home soil on the same day, and indeed, the first British gold medals on home soil at that level since 1981.
Cardiff 2024 became a triumph for fencing, para-sport and the power of partnerships. Thanks to the support of UK Sport, the National Lottery, Sport Wales, Welsh Government along with Disability Sport Wales and Welsh Fencing, Cardiff would see over 180 athletes from 30 countries come together for four days of intense competition at the very highest level.
Extra efforts were made to ensure the venue was fully accessible from several entrances, including building a temporary wheelchair ramp into the main arena from the front of the venue. Other innovations included a video released to support spectators of all needs and let visitors know exactly what to expect from the experience, as well as RMA Sport and Leon Paul providing wheelchair repair and new kit as required. The medals were produced of local slate by Valley Mill, a Swansea firm.
A great deal of work was done with inclusive practices in the preparation, informing attendees in advance and giving them full communications of what they could expect when they arrived. This was done by asking the questions: “what is it they’re going to need?” and “what is going to be their experience?”. The work done here was praised by Nicci Bailey, the social impact manager at Paralympics GB. “You know, a lot of sports don’t do that very much if at all, and I think we’ve made something that the rest of the sector can follow suit.” she said afterwards.
Cardiff 2024 welcomed a huge number of guests including senior representatives from the Welsh Government, as well as UK Sport CEO Sally Munday and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson among many other important visitors. It also saw visits from two separate BBC crews and many other local and national press.
BF CEO Georgina Usher was very proud of how things had come together. “Every year I used to come down as a fencer to Cardiff to compete in the Welsh Open. So I could not be more proud that we’ve managed to bring this incredibly global international event to a place that holds such a special place in not just my fencing life but in the fencing life of many other UK fencers as often. Disability Sport Wales have been amazing and we couldn’t have delivered the event without them, and also UK Sport. It’s only been 18 months in the making, and I could not be more impressed with what everyone together the team managed to achieve.” she said.
VOLUNTEERS – THE ENGINE ROOM
As with almost all sporting events, the show would not go on without volunteers. In the end, the event was supported by over 80 of them – known as “Blade Buddies” who assisted in everything from lift operating to video. The piste-side work especially required a focus, strength and attention to detail far greater than normal volunteer roles.
Nia Jones, the volunteer manager, mentioned the wide net that had been cast. “It’s not just the local community of the area. It’s a local fencing community as well. There’s such a diverse range of volunteers for this particular event from hardcore fencers to frequent event volunteers and people who just love getting involved. So there’s a real nice mix of two very different communities. These events wouldn’t run without the volunteers, especially considering how technical some of it is. Everyone’s got in the spirit of things and it’s such a great thing to see.”
Mallory Ling spent four days with the team: “I fenced at university but haven’t done it in a while, I thought this would be a great way to get involved. I was with the venue and transport team, a lot of it has been helping athletes when they’re getting off the pedal directing them to the correct place in the venue, and a lot of managing the lifts because those are very important getting all the athletes to where they need to go,” she said.
“They’re long days and they can be pretty tiring but it’s great to meet all these different people and talk with other volunteers and get involved. I think it’s very important just to get involved in the community and help out because these athletes need this to get their Paralympic qualifications. That couldn’t happen without all the volunteers that are involved.”
Lois is a Welsh volunteer who now lives in Birmingham and had previously played a role at a wheelchair rugby event at the Principality Stadium in 2022. “This opportunity came up and I thought I just love to have a go, really be part of it. I’ve never seen fencing before, so kind of really learning on the job. Everybody’s been great, it’s just been really amazing and I’ve absolutely loved it.” she said.
“I have a full time day job so I take time off work to come and volunteer to kind of use my holiday. For me, it’s my way of trying to give back. I live in Birmingham where I come down and try and volunteer events in Wales, which is where I grew up. You meet so many different people, you get to see so many different things. So it’s a really important part for me to be able to do that and try and give back into the Welsh community as much as I can.”
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
Year 5&6 students at Llysfaen Primary School in Wales were treated to a fencing session from British Fencing’s Neil Brown, Erin Corcoran, and Nat Lewis as part of the build up to the event.
The students got to fence each other and – best of all – their teachers at the session held on 7th December at the school in north Cardiff. Only a handful had ever fenced before, one pupil described the feeling of competition as “how to fence and how to block, and how to play and have fun”.
Students from that school and several other were in attendance at the event starting on the 11th January, giving young people a taste of a different international sport in the region with the goal of inspiring a new generation.
Nia Jones was also part of the schools engagement effort. “We really want to try and get the message out there about fencing and how it’s a sport that anyone can engage with. So we’ve gone up to schools, we’ve taught them a bit about the history of not just fencing, but wheelchair fencing, and some of the great British athletes that will be competing here. And we’ve had quite a few schools come along to the event. They’ve watched the athletes compete. They’ve been up to weapons control. They’ve seen what’s going on. They’ve been cheering and making posters for the athletes, and they’re really kind of understanding how everyone’s differences doesn’t mean that they’re any less than anyone else.”
“So they’re seeing all kinds of different people compete, and they’re getting involved and they’re cheering for everyone. And they’ve created an amazing atmosphere.”
Fran Whalley, sabre lead for British Fencing and a representative for Welsh Fencing in Cardiff, added: “It’s inspiring for the kids that come and watch it. It opens eyes for any parents that might be here. They might know someone who might benefit from this. Events like this can just accidentally just bring someone into a room and change their life. Sport has the power to change people’s lives, particularly in the para-fencing space. Who knows who’s been inspired by today, or yesterday or tomorrow?”
LEGACY – THE FRAMES
You can start wheelchair fencing with just a bench, but getting more serious requires one very specialised bit of equipment, the tough metal frames that the athletes are strapped into.
The twenty-two frames needed for the World Cup event have now been distributed to clubs up and down the country. Nine are on long-term loan to clubs; eight are marked for short-term use at clubs with the view to also have them available for BF’s ADP camps and competitions throughout the year; and five have been purchased by partners at universities and the Home Nations.
Rick Rodgers, BF’s inclusion and disability officer, was particularly proud of this legacy. “Because of the World Cup here, we have 22 wheelchair fencing frames purchased that are now going to go out to clubs and communities and organisations around the country to help support more wheelchair users and people who need to sit down to fence, to participate in fencing to the highest level possible.” he said.
“It simply wasn’t going to be possible without this World Cup happening that funding wouldn’t have come through to have the frames in place. Now we’re putting them into clubs and long term loans so that more people around the country can access the equipment needed to participate in the sport.”
“I always say when you see a track runner, they’re not carrying their own track with them. But wheelchair-using participants from lots of sports have to carry far more kit than their standing counterparts.”
“In fencing you have to have two wheelchairs and a huge fencing frame and that’s a lot of equipment just to sit next to each other and participate in the sport at the highest level. We’ve cut that equipment barrier down massively because of this world cup here in Cardiff this year.” ⚔️