SportsCool brings fencing to the next generation
Sophie Cole, writer
Published at 17/04/2022, Updated on 21/04/2022 , Reading time: 2 min
SportsCool is bringing the exciting sport to a whole new generation of potential professional fencers.
The sports franchise offers a wide and varied range of sports-based activities to children all across the UK, ranging from football to dance to yoga. Now, it’s broadening its offering even further by encouraging kids to take up the sport of fencing.
Once upon a time, almost 70 years ago, team GB claimed the Olympic Gold in the sport of fencing. But fast forward to 2021 and the nation sent just one fencer to the Tokyo Olympic games. Fencing has suffered a bit of a reputation problem, with many seeing it as a sport reserved for society’s elite.
Lee Lysons, the franchise’s director, is keen to encourage more kids to think about fencing.
“Fencing is an ideal sport for building life skills such as strategic thinking and discipline in children and young people. It burns off plenty of energy, so it is one of the best activities to tire out energetic children and to ensure that they are enjoying a healthy, active lifestyle.”
He added that the mental side of the sport means that fencing works both the brain and the heart at the same time.
“Fencing is a very strategic sport, almost like a physical form of chess. It teaches children to think for themselves and to analyse the way other people think. Children learn how to out-think their opponents quickly to succeed in their matches. Fencing for children improves balance and posture and it’s also great for improving coordination, reflexes and concentration.”
Lee joked that the sessions could be the key to uncovering Team GB’s next fencing champ.
“The fencing sessions we organise are also great fun. The children really love them and throw themselves into the activity. We’re finding them increasingly popular. Who knows - perhaps we are starting a future Olympian on their journey to a gold medal. Wouldn’t that be great!”
If you’d like to start your very own SportsCool franchise, head over to its profile page to find out more.
Sophie Cole, writer